For bullet-proof underwear, Miguel Caballero is your man

But a store's success doesn't always reflect levels of local violence. “In Hong Kong as such, there’s no danger,” he says, referring to the location of one of his new offices, which caters to wealthy businessmen. “But where they travel, yes,” he says, citing the unpredictable security situation in nearby Malaysia and Indonesia.

According to Yuen Kee Wong, who is in charge of Caballero’s distribution for most of Asia, Hong Kong is also the perfect market for Caballero because of the number of wealthy “gadget-collectors,” who are attracted to the novelty and design of Caballero's offerings. “This is not just a protection item, but a luxury fashion item that is very attractive,” Wong says from her Hong Kong office.

Caballero believes that what distinguishes his products is his simultaneous ability to cater to an individual’s fashion sense, security needs and lifestyle. There is no item too unorthodox for Caballero: He has tailored anti-ballistic underwear for a Colombian prison guard and a bullet-resistant blanket.

At one point in his conversation, Caballero is momentarily distracted by a new patron. “Look!” he exclaims, showing an incoming email on his Blackberry screen. It’s an order for a princess of an Asian country who wants Caballero to make her a robe. “We’ll make it beautiful!” he tells his staff.

And Caballero recently returned from India, where he is offering lightweight kurta pyjamas, traditional Indian cotton pants and tops. He’s also fielding orders from politicians for his version of the high-collared Nehru jacket, in anticipation of a desire for heightened security in the run-up to national elections starting in April.

The clothes work like this: Workers at sewing machines weave a nylon-polyester blend into flexible sheets to absorb the impact of a bullet. The more sheets layered into a garment, the more protection the garment offers.

But while Caballero's bullet-proof fashion may be the most attention-grabbing side of his company, bullet-proof vests make up much of his business.

Staff at several assembly lines complete orders for 36,000 bullet-resistant vests for the armed forces of two Latin American countries. Vests for military and security forces make up 60 percent of Caballero's sales. In this field, Caballero says his products are superior because they are the only water- and fire-proof vests in the world.

These days, Caballero’s company — which grossed $15 million last year — is growing so rapidly that he needs to expand. A new facility under construction in Bogota's northwest will eventually house 312 workers.

“This,” he says, casting his arm towards the empty factory — which will also include a showroom and ballistic testing range — “is going to be a work of art.” Caballero plans to hang modern art installations throughout the plant. How did he come up with the idea? He offers the same explanation as for all his other work: “I have ideas that no one else has.”

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