This weekend Atlanta’s first Dirndl show will take place (the evening before the German Bierfest) on Friday, August 26th at 7 p.m. at “Der Biergarten.” The young designer Erica Neumayer will feature her designs and offer all items at a 10% discount.
If you’ve ever had a St. Pauli Beer, or heard of the beer maidens at the Oktoberfest, you probably know what a dirndl is or at least what it looks like. Dirndls are the traditional German dresses, which are mostly worn in Bavaria.
Dirndls are part of the German National costume, the “Trachten”.
Starting out as outfits maids wore, Dirndls quickly gained popularity with the upperclass and became somewhat of a fashion phenomenon. Starting during the 1880′s the Dirndl soon became the favored summer dress for women in the cities.
With its tight bodice, cleavage revealing cut, and high waisted skirt the dirndl is flattering to women of all shapes.
Depending on the occasion Dirndls are generally made from cotton, linen or silk. The dirndl is a one-piece dress with a small zipper that is located either in the front or in the back, one pocket in the skirt, a short white blouse that often reaches until just under he bussom.
The apron is also an essential part of the Tracht and aside from intricate decorations, carries meaning. To signify the wearers relationship status, the apron can be tied in different ways. A bow on a girls left side signals that a girl is still available while a bow on the right side shows that the girl is either in a committed relationship, engaged or married.
In recent years, especially since 2005, more and more fashion designers have started to incorporate parts of the traditional dirndl into their designs. Dirndl focussed designers have furthermore tried to modernize the traditional dirndl design.
One of said designers is Erica Neumayer. Born and raised in America, Erica has always had an interest in designing and creating. After graduating High School she focussed that interest by attending Dominican University for a degree in fashion design. Influenced by her German ancestry, Erica Neumayer quickly developed an interest in Trachten and has won numerous prizes for her Dirndl designs. For more information on Erica’s professional and creative development visit the “About the Designer” page on her website.
Erica’s Rare Dirndl line includes only high quality and high fashion designs. With a range of designs that includes colorful, simplistic, exotic, playful, traditional or modern dresses, Erica’s collection appeals to people with varying tastes in fashion.
The Rare Dirndl show will start at 7 p.m. at Der Biergarten. Sponsored by German Kino Plus, one can also come to enjoy $5 drafts and get a free German Kino Plus Pint class, all while being entertained by watching beautiful women present beautiful and flattering dresses. 
Considering that the German Bierfest will be taking place the following Day (Saturday the 27th), this is also a good opportunity to to get a Dirndl for the following days event (or upcoming Oktoberfests) or just to get into the German Spirit. Come out to “Der Biergarten,” have some German beers, enjoy some traditional German food and watch a fashion show!
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