Obama wore bulletproof suit at inauguration

When Barack Obama was inaugurated as the 44th President of the United States, nobody wanted to say it, but everyone was thinking it.

Speaking in front of thousands, just how safe was the new leader of the most powerful nation on earth?

According to sources in the US media, more safe than we realised.

Obama was wearing a stylish bulletproof suit, and there is only one company in the world who makes them.

Miguel Caballero, the famed Bulletproof Tailor of Bogota, has for years been designing high-end armoured fashionware for the world's paranoid elite.

The company has been so secretive about its clients, many believe it is an urban legend. But in fact it exists on an unassuming city street in a low-rise white building in Bogota, Colombia.

The factory of Miguel Caballero has over 100 employees, and a cleverly selected worldwide spokesman in action movie star Steven Seagal.

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 - a full 80 per cent of their business comes from overseas orders.

After all, with one of the highest murder rates in the world, a bulletproof garment made for life in Colombia is made for life anywhere.

Buzzed into a sealed-off waiting room, it is immediately obvious that security within the company is taken seriously.

With a clientele that includes several world leaders and the wealthy elite, a company located in the kidnapping capital of the world is expected to take no chances.

Once inside, I'm disappointed to learn that Miguel Caballero himself is in Miami attending a conference, but I'm 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 wear stylish, unassuming black leather jackets, overcoats, and college-style camouflage hoodies.

One would never suspect they are capable of stopping a 9mm bullet. Until you try them on.

The secret lies in a heavy armour plated panel inserted into the clothing, protecting the vital areas of the upper body while simultaneously blending into the garment's loose-cut design.

The company claims to be the world's only certified armour-plate manufacturer to incorporate industry standard protection with stylish design - attractive to those who want to be protected, without advertising to others that there is any need to be. The key of bullet proof garments is to save lives, not prevent injury.

While the panels will stop a bullet, and in some cases even a direct knife attack, the intended victim is still going to feel the impact.

Trying on the various garments, I felt somewhat invincible, as if for a brief moment, I would survive just about anything (provided anything didn't include a shot to the head).

Employees are dedicated and committed to the product, so much so that everyone who works for Miguel Caballero is required to try on a vest, and be shot by Mr Caballero. And you thought your job interview was tough.

It is also common for the rich and powerful to put their brave and boldest bodyguards in the line of fire to ensure that purchased garments meet their own particular standards of quality.

I would have liked to have tried this experience on for size myself, but was told that only Mr Caballero is permitted to shoot prospective clients.

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 another to see it.

After some persuading, the company's ballistic director agreed to take me into a small room where vest plates are tested. I am reassured that everything is scientifically measured to the millimetre.

A vest plate is fastened to a square of clay which allows the ballistic experts to measure the impact and potential damage of each bullet.

Handed a pair of orange ear protectors, I am given an Uzi sub-machine gun from which to make the test myself, standing no further than a couple of metres away from the target.

I was initially told the impact is no harder than a finger flick, but examining the clay after the first shot, I see a one inch dent in the clay. Save lives, not prevent injury.

Making nonsense of country club requirements, the company boasts a private club for the select, unlucky survivors who have been shot wearing a Caballero vest.

Still sales are booming, with boutique stores opening up in hotspots like Miami and Paris.

As the elite and powerful continue to find new ways to ensure their safety, don't be surprised to find more and more paparazzi photos of stylish, albeit somewhat baggy leather coats.

Should anyone get the chance to peek at the label inside the suit that Barack Obama wears for large public addresses, don't be surprised to see it's proudly made in Colombia.

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