Most people make their clothing choices to make a fashion statement, to impress, or to keep warm. But this clothing designer from Colombia is putting a whole new spin on stylish accessories. Specifically, taking traditional forms of clothing, and making them bulletproof.
Designer Miguel Caballero is a Colombian manufacturer of bulletproof products worn by everyone from actor Steven Segal to the Barack Obama. The self-titled “Armored Armani” (fantastic nickname) runs a company which creates secure, bullet-resistant clothes targeted at both the big-shot politician and the common man. (Caballero’s inconspicuous bulletproof polo is pictured below.)
With products ranging from bulletproof tank tops to bulletproof polo shirts, Caballero claims that you can be shot in style. As proof of his “seal of quality,” Caballero has an unspoken rule that each and every person working in his manufacturing plant has to take a very serious test to assure the product is up to standard. Each employee of Caballero’s company must be shot (wearing one of the clothing pieces they made.)
The one thing about this that supposedly proves Caballero’s product is legitimate is this VICE documentary in which a reporter wears one of Cabellero’s stylish woolen jackets and is shot at point blank range with a revolver courtesy of Mr. Cabellero himself. Though Caballero advertises his product as an acceessory for the everyman, I think it is not reasonable to expect this product to go mainstream, one, because of the price ($390 at cheapest) but also because it is likely that if these became commonplace objects somewhere like the US, people would likely shoot each other to test them out, which would inevitably lead to injury.
In other words, while Caballero’s product is astounding, it is most likely less scientifically sound than it appears in this documentary clip. I think it is entirely possible that Caballero set up this specific test with the reporter to be sure nothing would go wrong, which inaccurately demonstrates how well the product would hold up in a real life or death incident.
The idea is alright in theory, but in practice, much like you said, it probably wouldn’t be so reliable, and the last thing we need is another reason for people to start shooting each other. Though along the line of where Isabella was going, they’ve also invented mats that are bullet proof for elementary school children in case of an emergency. (http://www.businessinsider.com/bodyguard-bulletproof-blanket-for-kids-2014-6.)
It’s unfortunate that there is actually a market for these, but I read about these (http://www.bulletblocker.com/bullet-proof-backpack-shield.html) bulletproof backpacks being sold to school kids in case of a shooting. It’s a pretty good idea and could probably save a lot of lives given the situation. The clothes are interesting, but it’s hard to imagine that they would be comfortable.