August 02, 2022

Connecting Culture, Creativity, and Community with Erika Neumayer Ehrat of Rare Dirndl

56 minutes

In episode 49, Erika Neumayer Ehrat shares how she’s built a niche business - Rare Dirndl - creating fashion-forward styles that still honor traditions to help American women celebrate German culture.

"I started Rare Dirndl in 2010 because, as an active member of the German community in Chicago, I was so disappointed to see that Germany's dirndl designs were lightyears ahead of the designs coming out of the US. So, I decided to change that! Today we are a small team of women dedicated to bringing the world high-quality & fashion-forward dirndls, blouses, bloomers, and accessories."

In this episode, you’ll learn:

The market gap Erika noticed in the US Dirndl market

How Erika built a business around such a small niche

What makes Rare Dirndls so rare

How Erika connects with her heritage through clothing

Places to wear a dirndl other than Octoberfest

How to know it is time to stop making everything yourself in your business

How Erika got started working with a factory instead of making everything herself

What outsourcing did for Erika’s business and lifestyle

The line between wearing cultural dress in your own personal style and cultural appropriation - and how Rare Dirndl respects the cultural intent.

How Erika manages the seasonality of cash flow and sales in her business

People and resources mentioned in this episode:

Rare Dirndl website

Erika’’s email

Rare Dirndl Instagram

Rare Dirndl Facebook

Rare Dirndl TikTok

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