April 18, 2005 - Production Management student launches a successful business.

The article written by Mina Hochberg appeared in the amNewYork free newspaper.  It reads as follows: "Barking Irons - Out of the land of excess that is the vintage tee glut comes Barking Irons, an intelligent, gritty and unpretentious line of tees.  New York Native Daniel Casarella started the line in 2003, drawing on his NYC history erudition to print symbols and slogans from 19th Century New York.  For example, the "Puff Ka Derns & Woodchips" tee pay tribute to a crooked grocery store that use to exist among the downtown tenements.  Tees are available from $59-$65 at Barney's or barkingirons.com.

Q: How did you come up with the idea for your tees?  DG: The idea stems from my passion for history and rock 'n roll.  I began reading these volumes of historic New York around 1999.  At the time, I didn't know what would become of the wealth of absurdity that I had amounted.  Yet in 2002 it was born the Barking Irons, which means "pistols" in the 19th-century New York.

Q: With all the new T-shirt trends that keep cropping up, what gave you the guts to start a line of tees?  DC: Many of the Johnny-come-latelys can't really tell you what their nonsense means.  Fore the Barking Irons, it's like, oh yeah, "Know Nothing" is a nod to the political party during the era of Tammany Hall.  It is very relevant for today's climate, I feel.

Q: I like the Servant of the Gun shirt.  What's the explanation behind it?  DC: Longtime Servant of the Gun was actually lifted from our previous collection, due to demand.  I will give you a hint of its meaning: "As the eagle was killed by the arrow winged with his own feather, so the hand of the world is wounded by its own skill."  [Helen Keller]

Q: Have you thought about designing other kinds of clothing?  DC: This is a sure thing.  We are already expanding, although we are cautious not to grow beyond our usefulness.  If I can make a better garment, then I will.  But I won't put out just another denim or just another belt buckle.  Some other people are over-zealous enough to rush out there and make a denim.  What's the rush?  The market is full of it.

Q: What did you study at the Fashion Institute of Technology?  DC:  I studied Fashion Design and Production Management.  The man who taught me all I learned in the four years I was there is Professor Mario Federici.

Q: Do you find yourself judging other tees?  DC: I judge.  How can you not?  Most of it is garbage.  But I will not be so proud as to deny a good print when I see it.  I really like what Grail is doing right now.  There is a company that does good stuff and goes its own way.  The rest of you pigs can get off our land.