Russian (Soviet) Berets

I am always intrigued by the berets that were made in the former Soviet Union and possibly in Russia today (if there are any Russian readers who can help out - please do!).

The Basque beret was quite popular during the Soviet times, evidence of which is available in many photo books, like the A Day in the Life of the Soviet Union. 
Russian customers of S.P.B. tell me the quality of these berets was pretty poor, but no one seems to know where these berets were made, what materials, etc. 
One typical thing of these Soviet berets was their txortena, not the typical "wick" we know from European and South American made berets, but a little loop. Again, no idea on the background of this.

Shown here two photographs from the above mentioned book; a public scales operator in the Moscow area and a sturgeon fisherman at the Caspian Coast - the looped txortena clearly visible. 

Czech Berets: Karel Klíč

Karel Klíč

The Czech painter and inventor Karel Václav Klíč (1841-1926) lived most of his life outside his home country. He invented the revolutionary method of photogravure reproduction. The inventions of this Czech inventor led directly to the rise of the picture magazine.

He studied at the Fine Art Academy in Prague. As a young caricaturist Klíč depicted the (Austo-Hungarian) Habsburg empire's new bureaucratic apparatus as a row of zeros, causing a nationwide stir and amount into vouchers for coffee and making a lasting impression on the national consciousness. He became involved in protests against the oppression of the Czechs, and was forced to leave Prague for a time. He worked in Budapest, Vienna and Lancaster, submitted a patent for making plates for printing uncounterfeitable paper in 1875. Putting a picture onto paper was an exacting technique requiring the hand of a master. Klíč covered a copper plate with asphalt dust, which after heating formed an even, finely granulated layer. Onto it he placed a picture copied into gelatine, and over the gelatine and asphalt layer he etched it into the copper. Unfortunately, one clever observer quickly mastered Klíč's technique, and the inventor resolved to be more careful in future. From then on, Klíč's work would remain hidden behind a veil of secrecy.

In the 1890s Klíč worked out and tested ways to improve and simplify the transfer of half-tones. His goal was to reproduce complex pictures, not a simple pattern. In Great Britain in 1890 he finally achieved the desired effect, using wiper-blade photogravure, a printing method that remains unsurpassed to this day.

RED

Espinosa 24

Most berets sold by South Pacific Berets go to the US, the UK, Germany, Australia and Canada (in that order).

Czech Radiovka 265

My statistics tell me that practically none of the Red Berets go there, with the exception of Australia (I have to admit, the Aussies are more daring and unconventional, when it comes to berets...). 

Tolosa Tupida with Moroccan Leather Headband

Interestingly, it's not a world-wide phenomenon. Red berets are among the most popular in South America, where they are worn mainly by the gaucho's and during equestrian events.

Gauchos, Argentina

And the, of course, there are the many festivals, in France and Spain, where a red beret is compulsory gear. 

Tolosa Tupida Plato Grande 35cm

I have to admit that I don't wear my red berets that often, but I am very fond of my little French beret with the logo of motor club Les Petrolettes Dauphinoises.

My small diameter Petrolettes beret - not for sale!

Adolf Hoffmeister and Picasso

Adolf Hoffmeister (1902-1973) was a poet, novelist, translator and editor. He edited one of the main Czech daily newspapers, Lidové noviny (1928-30) and the main literary paper, Literární noviny (1930-32). He was also a talented artist and caricaturist, often illustrating his own work. See these beautiful pictures of a beret wearing Picasso. 

Hoffmeister set up an anti-fascist magazine, Simplicus, in the 1930s after the German satiric magazineSimplicissimus was banned by the Nazis. He also wrote the libretto for a children's opera, Brundibar, with music by the Czech composer Hans Krása in 1938; the opera was performed fifty-five times by children in Terezín concentration camp where Krása was interned.

Hoffmeister emigrated to France in 1939, but moved on to Morocco when France fell. There, he was arrested but escaped from an internment camp and arrived in New York via Lisbon and Havana in 1941. He returned to Czechoslovakia in 1945 and worked for UNESCO. After the Communist coup in February 1948, Hoffmeister was named French ambassador by the new neo-Stalinist regime but was recalled shortly after. He worked then as a lecturer in fine art at the Academy of Applied Arts. After the Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia, Hoffmeister emigrated to France once again in 1969, but decided to return in 1970. 

He died three years later in the Orlický mountains, judged by the regime to be a non-person. 

Bruno Detassis

Born in Trento in June 1910 in a working-class family (his father Antonio was a carpenter and important member of the Trentino trade unions of the time). 

He is the progenitor of a great mountaineering school influenced for half a century by his extraordinary personality. He opened up over 200 routes in the Dolomites, including the north face of Upper Brenta in the Brenta Dolomites in August 1934 with the mountain guides Enrico Giordani and Ulisse Battistata.

Bruno Detassis climbing, with beret, of course

 In 1939 he moved from Piedmont to run the ski school in Madonna di Campiglio (where he continued to live until his death in 2008). 

Since 1949 he has managed the Brentei refuge in the heart of the Brenta Dolomites. He is also known for many rescue operations. In December 1957 he led the first Trentino expedition in Patagonia. 

New: Bakkara Excellence without Headband!

I'm reaching the point that I wonder how many more new berets I can add to the stock of South Pacific Berets. But, here is another one, or two, actually:

Bakkara Excellence without Headband 

These berets are custom made for and only available at South Pacific Berets. 

Apart from the standard Bakkara and the Bérets Nu, Blancq-Olibet does not make headband-less berets. This is the top-of-the-range quality of Blancq-Olibet, similar to the Spanish Super Lujo, but in a less dense variety, making it easier to wear-in and shape. 

The beret is black satin lined, carries the Bakarra Excellence label and is available in two diameters: 9.5 pouces (267mm) and 10.5 pouces (291mm) @ $52.00.

Tricycles

Meet my friend and fellow beret aficionado Dave, on his trike.

Dave introduced me to the extreme fun of riding a tricycle again, after some 45 years of using only two-wheeled bikes. His is a Terra Trike, a beautiful machine, painted to match the colour of your beret.

I found that in NZ too there are quite a few trike enthusiasts. Unfortunately, the hills of Wellington where I live are not too friendly for triking...

  

Henry Wright

Henry T. Wright is the Albert Clanton Spaulding Distinguished University Professor of Anthropology in the Department of Anthropology, and Curator of Near Eastern Archaeology in the Museum of Anthropology at the University of Michigan.

 He is also an External Professor at the Santa Fe Institute and a member of the Institute's Science Board.

He earned a B.A. from the University of Michigan (1964), and a Ph.D. in Near Eastern archaeology from University of Chicago (1967).

 Henry Wright is one of few people known to wear a green Basque beret!

William (Bill) Mulloy

William Thomas Mulloy, Jr. (1917–1978) was an American anthropologist. While his early research established him as a formidable scholar and skilful fieldwork supervisor in the province of North American Plains archaeology, he is best known for his studies of Polynesian prehistory though, especially his investigations into the production, transportation and erection of the monumental statuary on Rapa Nui (Easter Island) known as moai.

 Mulloy undertook extensive research projects in North American Plains Indian and Southwestern Indian archaeology. He investigated sites in New Mexico, Wyoming, and Montana.

 In 1955, following his famous Kon-Tiki Expedition (1947), the Norwegian explorer Thor Heyerdahl assembled a team of specialists, including Mulloy, to conduct archaeological research at various sites throughout Eastern Polynesia.

Mulloy's restoration projects on the island earned him the great respect of Rapa Nui islanders, many of whom collaborated with him at multiple venues.

 William Mulloy Sailing back from Rapa Nui

Mulloy died of lung cancer in Laramie on March 25, 1978. His remains were interred on Rapa Nui in full view of the Tahai Ceremonial Complex, one of his more important restoration projects.

The NZ Series #23 - Sir Jon Trimmer (2)

12 November, 2009, I first wrote about Sir Jon Trimmer, the grand maestro of New Zealand ballet. At the time, I couldn't picture being friends with him, 1½ years later, but then again, it might be unavoidable, being beret wearers in a small capital like Wellington, NZ.

Over a couple of coffee's at Jimmy's the other day, I learned a bit more about Jon's fascination for berets. It all started some 60 years ago, just after the War, when an Italian opera group was touring New Zealand. Some of the singers wore berets, a novelty in the country at that time, and Jon (12 years old) was hooked. Unfortunately, it wasn't easy to find one for himself; it took a trip to the French Market in Auckland (600km's up north) to score his own.

Like dancing, he never stopped wearing a beret. Since last week, it's an Elósegui Super Lujo 242! 

Jon jokes that these days he mainly plays "old ladies and witches", which is bad for the continious growth of his moustache - lady roles require shaving. 

Antonio Vojak

Antonio Vojak (1904 – 1977) was a famous Italian football player whose career was played out during the 1920s and 1930s.

He is most noted for his time with Juventus and Napoli, the latter of which he holds the second place all-time club record for goals scored in the Italian leagues.

Vojak was born in Pula, at that time in Austria-Hungary until 1918 given to Italy and 1947 to Yugoslavia.

Vojak became durin his time for Napoli, playing in a squad that featured Attila Sallustro. He stayed with the club until 1935, scoring over 100 goals for them. Vojak also appeared for the Italian national football team once in 1932 where he played midfield. Due to fascistanti-slav laws, he was forced to use the name Vogliani.

After leaving Napoli, Vojak played only two more seasons; first with Genoa and then with Lucchese-Libertas in 1936-37 where he played only 1 game. He died in 1977.

Vojak was well known for wearing his Basco.

The Germans Are Here!

Yes, they are here, and forgive me my childlike enthusiasm, but I am over-excited about these great berets!

Hand made in the old hatters town of Luckenwalde (in the former G.D.R.), these berets are quite different from what you previously thought was a beret. Thanks to a small rim of felted wool sewn-on to the head-opening, the beret lifts a few millimeters from the head, encouraging air circulation (thanks to the two fitted air vents) and ensuring an extremely comfortable feel.

The berets are finished with an unusual pleasant lining and a leatherette rim around the head-opening.

Available here in black and navy, size 57 - 61 @ $48.25

Carei F. Thomas

Carei Thomas' career got its start in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania where he took piano lessons and was influenced by the culturally diverse Hill District.

Carei's family moved to Chicago during his teenage years. While in high school, he formed a doo-wop group and continued expanding his artistry through an interest in spontaneous vocal composition. In 1959, Carei met Gregory "Duke" Hall who was staying on Chicago's West Side where Carei lived.  

In the late 1960's, Carei sat-in on piano with Dexter Gordon and Art Taylor in Paris and in 1972, Carei moved to Minneapolis and briefly studied composition at the University of Minnesota. He then began developing several controlled improvisational concepts he called "Brief Realities". 

In the 1980's, Carei worked on other evolutions of controlled improvisations, became interested in the healing aspects of sound and color, and in having his artform be more than a performer/spectator one with "down to earth" functionality. In the 1990's, Carei added to his work the "smoke and mirrors" of acoustical and electronic music considerations, which he called Phononomalies. He liked developing these tonal fabrics (sound designs) to use them as a canvas accommodating the collaborative endeavors of poetry, spoken work, dance, video, visual artforms, theatre, etc. along with their closest friend ... Silence. 

In 1993, Carei became seriously ill with Guillain-Barré Syndrome and was hospitalized and in physical rehabilitation until 1995. However, he continued to create and has adapted his hands to produce chords much like the ones before he was paralyzed.  
Carei Thomas wears a maroon beret.

Jacob Casselden

Jacob Casselden, 23, who is profoundly deaf, has danced and acted in professional theatre and television since a young age. He is trained in ballet, tap, modern dance and is a talented drummer.

Best Actor Award - 1st International Deaf Film Festival, Tolosa

In 2004, Jacob received the award 'Best International Deaf Male Actor' at the 2004 Milan Festival Internazionale di Cinema E Video Sordo, for his lead role in the film 'Nectar', written and directed by Liz Crow.

Jacob has appeared in many TV programmes including his first, in the 1995 BBC production of 'Pride and Prejudice' and since then Jacob has worked in television and theatrical productions.

Jacob studied drama and deaf studies at the University of Reading and completed his BA (Hons) degree in 2009.

Hugh Herbert

Frederick Hugh Herbert (1897 - 1958) was a playwright, screenwriter, novelist, short story writer, and infrequent film director.

Born in Vienna, Austria, was educated at the University of London. He began his film career in 1926 with two projects starring Conrad Nagel, The Waning Sex and There You Are!, the latter adapted from his play of the same title. His screenwriting credits included Vanity Fair, Fashions of 1934, Smarty in 1934, adapted from his own play; Sitting Pretty, Dark Command, Our Very Own, The Little Hut, and Scudda Hoo! Scudda Hay! and The Girls of Pleasure Island, both of which he also directed.

Herbert's most notable screenplay was The Moon is Blue, based on his play which had a run of 924 performances on Broadway. The film adaptation, produced and directed by Otto Preminger, was controversial due to its frank language and sexual themes. When the Breen office refused to give it a Motion Picture Production Code seal of approval, United Artists opted to release the film without one, and the success of the film was instrumental in weakening the long-standing influence of the Code.

Jerome Garth Parker

"Mechanic", 2006

A Central California native, Jerome Garth Parker comes from a family of artists and musicians. A quiet and introspective figure, Jerome is active in galleries in this beautiful region of his home state. 

"Girl with the Tan beret"

Figurative compositions, closely observed from life, comprise many of this artist's rich work in oils and charcoal. Though clearly inspired by the masters, Jerome's intriguing subjects nevertheless capture a certain contemporary view of life "in the moment".

"Jeffrey Charcoal on Strathmore", 2009

Jerry Hall

Jerry Faye Hall (born July 2, 1956) is an American model and actress, also known for her long-term relationship with Mick Jagger and her four children with him.

Hall was staying at a hostel on the French Riviera when she was discovered sunbathing on a Saint Tropez beach by a fashion agent, Claude Haddad. She moved to Paris where she shared an apartment with singer Grace Jones (who at that time was also a model) and immersed herself in the Parisian nightlife, often performing risqué cabaret acts in clubs and parties with Jones. Soon after, she moved in with fashion illustrator Antonio Lopez and her modelling career began. In 1975 she appeared, in the guise of a mermaid, on the cover of Roxy Music's album Siren. By 1977, Hall had been on forty magazine covers including Italian Vogue and Cosmopolitan. She was earning modelling fees in excess of $1000 per day.

Her trademark long blonde hair and height of six feet quickly made her one of the most visible and photographed models in the industry during that period. That same year, she met Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger at a dinner party in Manhattan, for whom she would eventually leave Bryan Ferry. 

Daughter Georgia Jagger - dress and beret by Louis Vuitton

Currently Hall is the face of Invisible Zinc Skincare and has just published her autobiography Jerry Hall: My Life in Pictures.

In 2004, Hall studied Kabbalah, and was briefly associated with the Kabbalah Centre.