When Barack Obama was inaugurated as the 44th president of the United States, everyone was thinking the same thing: Speaking in front of thousands of people, just how safe was the man? According to sources in the US media, more safe than we realised.
One of its kind
Obama was wearing a stylish bulletproof suit — and there is only company in the world that makes these. Miguel Caballero, the famed Bulletproof Tailor of Bogota, has for years been designing high-end armour fashionwear for the world's paranoid elite.
The company has been so secretive about its clients that many believe it is an urban legend.
On an unassuming city street in a low-rise white building in Bogota, heavy security surrounds the factory of Miguel Caballero.
Nicknamed the Armani for moving targets, Caballero manufactures stylish armour-plated leather coats, suits, vests, sweaters and even ties for a clientele that extends far beyond Colombia's borders.
Powerful clientele
Caballero lists several satisfied customers, who include controversial politicians such as Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez and Colombian president Alvaro Uribe, members of royalty such as King Abdullah of Jordan and Prince Felipe of Spain, and Hollywood stars such as Steven Segal.
After all, a bulletproof garment made in Colombia, a place which has one of the highest murder rates in the world, can save life almost anywhere in the world.
I was disappointed to learn Miguel Caballero was in Miami, attending a conference, but I was led to the showroom where a full range of the company's products are on display.
Besides the usual military-chic armoured vests and bomber flak jackets, some of the mannequins wore stylish, unassuming black leather jackets, overcoats and college-style camouflage sweaters.
One would never suspect they were capable of stopping a 9mm bullet — until you tried them on. The secret lies in a heavy, armour-plated panel inserted into the clothing, which protects the vital areas of the upper body while blending into the garment's loose-cut design.
The company claims to be the only certified armour-plate manufacturer in the world to have incorporated industry standard protection with stylish designs — attractive to those who want to be protected but not advertising to others that there is any need to be protected.
The aim of the bulletproof garments is to save lives, not to prevent injury. While the panels will stop a bullet and, in some cases, even a direct knife attack, the victim will still feel the impact.
Trying on the various items, I felt somewhat invincible, as if, for a brief moment, I would survive just about anything in the world — provided “anything'' didn't include a shot to the head.
Employees are dedicated and committed to the company, so much so that everyone who works for Miguel Caballero is required to try on a vest — and be shot at by Caballero. And you thought your job interview was tough.
In the line of fire
It is common for the rich and the powerful to put their brave and boldest bodyguards in the line of fire to ensure that purchased garments meet standards.
I would have liked to experience this but was told that only Caballero was permitted to shoot prospective clients. And since he wasn't in town, there went the one legitimate shot I had at getting shot.
Still, it's one thing to be told a fur coat can stop a bullet and quite another to see it. After some persuading, the company's ballistic director agreed to take me to a small room where vest plates are tested.
I was reassured everything was scientifically measured to the millimetre. A vest plate was fastened to a square of clay, which allowed ballistic experts to measure the impact and potential damage a bullet could cause.
Test time
After being handed a pair of orange ear protectors and standing just a couple of metres away from the target, I was given an Uzi sub-machinegun to take the test myself.
I was initially told the impact would be no harder than a finger flick but examining the clay after the first shot, I could see a one-inch dent in the clay — saving lives, not preventing injury.
While life may seem cheap in high-crime zones, high-security fashion is not. A typical Caballero item in its stylish Black range can come for anywhere between Dh7,000 to Dh23,000.
A thick lining to prevent a knife attack or any other customisation may cost extra.
Aligned with style
Caballero has a boutique store in Mexico City, alongside Louis Vuitton, Cartier and, yes, Armani. There's even a club for Caballero customers.
But to become a member, you need to have a Caballero product save your life. How many members it has remains a company secret.
As the powerful find new ways to ensure safety, don't be surprised to find paparazzi photos of stylish, albeit somewhat baggy, leather coats.
Should anyone get a chance to steal a peek at the label inside the suit Barack Obama wears for public addresses, there should be no surprises if it turns out to be made in Colombia.
You can watch Robin Esrock on the Nat Geo Adventure show, Word Travels, or visit www.wordtravels.tv
