Did you know that… ?
- Astrakhan is a southwestern Russian city located in the delta of Volga River, only 100 km from the Caspian Sea. Astrakhan is an important river port and fish and caviar-preserving center.
- Astrakhan is also a type of fur, from the karakul (qaraqul) lamb of Central Asia, was named because it was first brought to Russia by Astrakhan traders.
Karakul is a breed of sheep originating in Central Asia and may be the oldest breed of domesticated sheep.
My Turkish friend confirmed that the word Karakul ‘Karagül’ means ‘black rose’ in Turkish. Indeed, Astrakhan fur is known for stunning beautifully patterned silky pelts reminiscent of rose flowers.
Starting in the 1940s’, an Astrakhan cap became a popular accessory of USSR political leaders. This cap received the name “hat-pie” (шапка-пирожок) due to its resemblance to a traditional Russian puff pastry.
In the photoshoot with ZEUSTATE we used “proudly made in Canada” Astrakhan cap.
The prototype of Astrakhan cap is a side cap. This foldable military cap is known as a garrison cap, flight cap, or wedge cap.
Пилотка (from ‘pilot’ in Russian) made it’s comeback on the world fashion runways (ROCHAS, Jean Charles de Castelbajac, Moschino).