The Armani Of Armor

Nickname for the Colombian designer Miguel Caballero, who specializes in bullet-proof clothing.

Speculation that Barack Obama wore anti-ballistic clothing during his inauguration once again brought press attention to the Armani of Armor – who started selling his wares in the London store Harrods last year, as Sky News reported:

His clients include Hollywood action hero Steven Seagal, King Abdullah of Jordan and the President of Venezuela, Hugo Chavez. The designer recently stitched together a tropical shirt for the Venezuelan leader tough enough to block a 9mm slug. Another client is Colombian president Alvaro Uribe. He has reason for caution, FARC rebels have already tried to assassinate him twice. The clothes … are claimed to be lighter than traditional military vests. A bullet-proof leather jacket weighs 1.2 kg. Caballero’s collection includes shirts, blazers, raincoats, leather jackets and even bullet-proof ties. But there is one drawback – a poloshirt that can take a hit from a mini Uzi costs around £5,000.

Caballero’s flair for publicity extends to an unusual proposition to journalists: click to see writers from The Telegraph and The Guardian being shot by the tailor.