Berets, Anyone?

[Daan]

My thanks to all here who are beret fans. Now I can't imagine why I never before gave the beret any consideration. My very first ever is this extra large 14 inch Aotearoa Txapeldun in the color called savien-blue. I think I will never want anything smaller.

You are a brave man! Have a look at the "new old" Tarte Chasseurs replica's, at 36cm, now there are still some left; you can't go much larger.

 

[singlechange]

You are a brave man! Have a look at the "new old" Tarte Chasseurs replica's, at 36cm, now there are still some left; you can't go much larger.
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Daan,
Thank you for your comments and it was lovely to hear from the one man in the world who is keeping berets from going the way of other endangered species on earth. One of our own longtime forum members, who has many of your illustrious South Pacific Beret models, influenced my trying a beret. For this Christmas, I want to ask Santa Claus for a copy of your book BASQUES BERETS and the undyed color 12 p Merino d'Arles beret. That beret is the bomb!

 

[alanfgag]

My thanks to all here who are beret fans. Now I can't imagine why I never before gave the beret any consideration. My very first ever is this extra large 14 inch Aotearoa Txapeldun in the color called savien-blue. I think I will never want anything smaller.

well worn!

 

[Daan]

After an absence of many years, they are back: the incredible Shigematsu Korokoro (“rolling”) berets!



The Korokoro beret is a design by artist Aya Sekino, made by Shigematsu in Osaka of the finest Australian merino wool.
This model is a typical example of Japanese style berets with the beret's raised roof and having a more plumb, rounded appearance.

Due to the roomy hood, the appearance of these berets is much larger than the stated diameter of 250mm. All are one-size models that easily adjust to the individual wearer.
Incredibly comfortable, top insulation and a beret that won't blow off in the worst of gales.

Available in black and 3 colours at the same 2019 introductory price: $67.50.

 

[alanfgag]

It has been quiet on this thread... I am currently Basquing in beautiful fall sunshine...

 

[Fern]

Only new update I have is I’ve confirmed I’ve got Basque DNA in my ancestry. Super fun!

 

[Daan]

I just returned from a 3 week trip to the Pyrenean borderlands, Belgium and the Netherlands - part holidays, part catching up with manufacturers, beret-fact-finding and discovering more beret related history.
The first and most prominent thing I found, is the increased number of beret wearers in all these countries!
Some random pictures below as visual evidence:

Another highlight was meeting Sara again at Manufacture de Bérets - a long overdue meeting. Great to see the new workshop, meeting Lea and talking through new ideas (over a superb vegan lunch!).

Couldn't help myself for immediately taking some new stock with me (to be listed on the website soon) and finalized details on the new project we're doing in cooperation with Billy Childish (more on that in another 3 weeks or so when Le Vincents arrive here at Beret HQ...).

While in Bilbao, I naturally had to catch up with Emilio, owner of Gorastiaga and one of the oldest (5th generation) bonetaires in the world.

Anthony McCall's Split Second at the Guggenheim in Bilbao made for some good beret shots.
And now, back in Aotearoa, the first thing I did was launch the new series of berets in bleu horizon.

 

[Mm25]

Beret season is returning. Out today in an older blue offering from South Pacific.

 

[Mm25]

At 11 1/2 inches this Elosegui is just big enough to block the afternoon sun.

 

[Daan]

A new limited edition of foulard quality bérets in natural Merino d'Arles wool:
Le Vincent.

An ode to Vincent van Gogh and his most productive time in Arles - a cooperation between Billy Childish, Manufacture de Bérets and Boneteria Aotearoa.
The Le Vincent label is a design by Billy Childish, based on the Capbasc label, which was a popular brand in the 1950's.

The 'Le Vincent – Béret d’Arles' is a limited edition of top quality foulard berets by Boneteria Aotearoa and Billy Childish and handmade by Manufacture de Bérets in Béarn.
Berets in 100% natural brown, undyed merino wool;, French linen lined and available in the standard 28cm diameter, the large 31cm diameter and the 12p/Chasseur Alpin model.

Manufacture de Bérets is the only producer of truly artisan, handmade, size-adjustable berets with liguettes in the world.

What may feel like a long way away, is getting close in global postal terms. Make sure you get your beloved one's or your own beret in time for the holidays and order now.
To read Billy's comments about this new model, click here.

 

[Daan]

Following yesterday's post here: Great news for Billy Childish fans!

I have 31 numbered prints of Billy's woodcut 'The Zouave', after Vincent van Gogh.
As long as the stock lasts, one for each Billy Childish beret purchase.

 

[indy_jols]

New on here and what a delight to see so many fellow beret wearers. I'm especially impressed by those of you bold enough to carry off the great big Leonardo ones – they look superb!

I've got a few, mostly acquired from Daan at one time or another (those email newsletters from New Zealand are always a good read but can be dangerous for the bank account...). Started wearing them mostly as a test of confidence some years back, and I found myself addicted. I imagine some of you can sympathise.

Oddly, the one I wear most is the cheapest one I own – one of the UCAs from Serbia – but it's getting colder here in North Yorkshire and the BA/Goat in a Tree & Sterkowski ones are starting to get a bit more wear.

Anyway, just wanted to say how much I've enjoyed browsing this thread!

 

[alanfgag]

Good morning, starshine!

 

[Daan]

Some great beret news at the end of the year: Manufacture de Bérets managed to create an universel model in 9 pouces (≈ 25cm), the size of the illustrious basco Roma. .

This may not sound like revolutionary news, but it has taken us many years to get there – the small diameter makes it hard to create the same quality rim lining for the liguette (the internal drawstring to adjust the size) compared to the larger diameters. All are handmade, naturally.
Well, it happened, and the result is beautiful!

A first small batch of 9P models in black, navy and brown is now available here, while I have a small number made in the Le Vincent Billy Childish model in dark natural merino wool.

All are made exclusively for South Pacific Berets.

 

[Mm25]

Elosegui today in khaki.

 

[Fern]

New on here and what a delight to see so many fellow beret wearers. I'm especially impressed by those of you bold enough to carry off the great big Leonardo ones – they look superb!

I've got a few, mostly acquired from Daan at one time or another (those email newsletters from New Zealand are always a good read but can be dangerous for the bank account...). Started wearing them mostly as a test of confidence some years back, and I found myself addicted. I imagine some of you can sympathise.

Oddly, the one I wear most is the cheapest one I own – one of the UCAs from Serbia – but it's getting colder here in North Yorkshire and the BA/Goat in a Tree & Sterkowski ones are starting to get a bit more wear.

Anyway, just wanted to say how much I've enjoyed browsing this thread!


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How fun! Welcome! Your post reminded me of my first time finding this thread, too! Happy New Year!

 

[Fern]

Good morning, starshine!

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Sweet color pairing. Golden year ahead for you!

 

[Fern]

While in Bilbao, I naturally had to catch up with Emilio, owner of Gorastiaga and one of the oldest (5th generation) bonetaires in the world.

Cool to see the inside of the Gotostiaga shop and enjoyed this post, Daan. Happy New Year!

 

[Daan]

One of the most important Basque beret factories in France was the 'Fabrique Moderne de Bérets Basques' by monsieur Henri Veyrier.

As so often, the factory was not located in the Basque Country, nor in Béarn, but in the town of Bruyères in the Vosges, in the north-east of France.

The Fabrique Moderne de Bérets Basques was founded on August 1, 1919. The production took place in the Bruyères, while the shop was located in Paris, at rue Meslay 25 (these days a shoe shop).

At one stage, the factory was the largest beret producer in the world.

Veyrier was a major supplier of the French military and many of its berets can still be found on collectors and auction sites.

The factory went out of business between 1964 and 1966 and in 2010 the buildings were demolished.

 

[Fern]

I’ve definitely grown to love my 11” Gorostiaga collection above all. The smaller brim works for me!