My Story
I am Carla Dawn Behrle — designer, patternmaker, and maker. For over three decades, I have worked at the intersection of fashion, costume, and couture construction, building a practice rooted in one unwavering belief: that a garment, when made with true artistry and intention, transforms the person who wears it.
That conviction began early. At 14, I was already studying under Lester Polakov and José Varona at New York’s Studio and Forum of Stage Design — absorbing the foundational truth of stage costume, that clothes do not merely cover; they reveal, protect, and empower. From there, I moved directly into production at The New York Shakespeare Festival, working alongside some of the most celebrated costume designers of the era — Patricia Zipprodt, Theoni V. Aldredge, Ann Roth, and Jane Greenwood. By 17, I had been accepted into the United Scenic Artists as a costume designer.
It was in those early years that I discovered leather — a medium unlike any other. I had worked in nearly every material imaginable, from stainless steel to cellophane, but leather offered something rare: longevity, depth, and a living quality that rewards the wearer for decades.
That passion led me to found World Domination NYC, a line that was immediately embraced by the legendary Patricia Field. With her representation, the collection reached a worldwide clientele and earned a distinguished reputation for fit, quality, and singular design. I subsequently opened a flagship retail studio with in-house production, and the demand for custom work — particularly in menswear — grew organically and swiftly.
Over the years, I have had the honor of creating for notable musicians, personalities, and productions. But today, my practice is devoted entirely to bespoke clients — individuals who understand that true style is not purchased off a rack, but built in collaboration.
What I offer is rare: the eye of a costume designer who understands how people inhabit their clothes; the hands of a couture maker who refuses shortcuts; and the sensibility of someone who has spent a lifetime studying fashion not as trend, but as art. The result is a garment made entirely for you — one that fits your body, reflects your character, and is built to be loved for a lifetime.
