Berets, Anyone?

[Brother cavefish]

Hi Brother cavefish, now it looks like a joke but centuries ago no one would dare to fish there
Links in english:
http://icelandreview.com/news/2015/04/27/killing-basques-now-banned-west-fjords
http://www.theguardian.com/world/20...iceland-district-repeals-decree-kill-on-sight

oh yea they were killing them back then, the Spaniards were conquerers and colonizers , iceland wanted no part

 

[Brother cavefish]

it might have appeared to be the start of something bigger, remember these were "island " people and they tend to be isolated , thus being the case, minds are also isolated and rumors start fast and so do "solutions", my wives family comes from a so called "island" , a small section of land just barely connected to land off of croatia, but still isolationists and non conformists, very semi hateful of others and surrounding neighbors, let alone themselves, but when intruders come , they group together alright

 

[Brother cavefish]

it might have appeared to be the start of something bigger, remember these were "island " people and they tend to be isolated , thus being the case, minds are also isolated and rumors start fast and so do "solutions", my wives family comes from a so called "island" , a small section of land just barely connected to land off of croatia, but still isolationists and non conformists, very semi hateful of others and surrounding neighbors, let alone themselves, but when intruders come , they group together alright... heck i have family decended from sicily and french decent , always small towns, and we don't even talk anymore, some family huh,,,, i live in a small fisherman/longshore town and we don't like outsiders,,, this is life my friend every race/group thinks they are something special, my 1 cents
but of coarse San Pedro is Gods country

 

[Brother cavefish]

my new Elosegui super lujo,

 

[Brother cavefish]

me and my baby

 

[Brother cavefish]

ooooo some wine today, after a long day on the docks

 

[Brother cavefish]

anyone know this mark

 

[Brother cavefish]

a good day on the docks, and so a little wine in my barkeza

 

[leftyguy]

My first post on here, just wanted to share my enjoyment of my new Boneteria Auloronesa Casquette....thanks Daan!

With elder son & nephew heading for football match

 

[RJR]

Hi Leftyguy,I have several of those as well.Rapidly becoming real favorites with me.

 

[Daan]

Back in Wellington, NZ after a three week visit to the Pyrenees. Excellent meetings with all the remaining French beret manufacturers and more than ever hopeful for the beret's future. But maybe best of all, happy to see so many berets in the wild!
The cliché goes that even in France and Spain one hardly sees berets anymore… (and yes, I may have said something along those lines myself at times), but I was very pleasantly surprised to see how many men (and women) still wear berets in the Ariège, Béarn, Aragón, Catalonia and even in Toulouse. See the visual evidence below:

Meeting the team at Le Béret Français was an excellent experience; it is not often that I find such a dedicated group of people, all working towards the same ideal: a range of affordable, top quality, 100% French made berets.
Driving force behind the company are Pascal and Evelyne Muteau, assisted by three dedicated workers - working at the premises of the Château de Laàs. And Laàs is not just any old small town, but carries since April 2014 the title of "Principality of Laàs in Béarn", a semi-autonomous entity within France. It all comes from another driven Laàsien, 5th time elected mayor Jacques Pedehontaa and no guessing where the official Principality's berets come from...

The range of models produced by Le Béret Français has grown incredibly fast over the few years since the inception of the company. The "Mode" berets with contrasting red cabilliou are what LBF is known for, but the range entails many more: basic berets with and without lining, multi-coloured berets signifying the red, white & blue of France (and many other countries around the globe), rugby, Irish, Anarchist and hunter berets and maybe best of all, the superb bérets Printemps - summer berets made of recycled cotton, silk, linen and synthetics.

Some serious wearers of Le Béret Français berets. This is the crew of a Tigre attack helicopter of the French Armed Forces. Pictured are three Mode models (with red cabilliou), one Classic and the unmistakable Tri-couleur.

More news from the French and Spanish manufacturers can be found in South pacific Berets' latest newsletter.

Apart from meetings, I managed to bring back a massive amount of beret related material, enough for a few more months of posts on The Beret Project. 7 Years going, you'll still find a publication on berets every day! And yes, thge occosianal post here on The Fedora Lounge.
Meanwhile, South Pacific Berets is still going strong. There have been many times that I wondered if I had to give up (massive stocks - little sales), but it is still ticking along - thanks to all those people who, against the odds, appreciate traditional berets.
Just listed: Laulhère/ESCO's Franco-German Baskenmütze on SPECIAL

 

[RJR]

Good report,Daan.I wish you continued success.

 

[Daan]

anyone know this mark

View attachment 29446

This beret, or boina, is made by La Encartada. The factory was established by Marcos Arena Bermejillo in 1892 and continued production until it's closure a century later, in 1992. The principal product has always been the Basque beret, supplied in large numbers to the police and military in Spain and abroad.

In 2007 the factory re-opened as a museum, displaying a range of machines for processing wool originating in many parts of Europe. La Encartada displays a traditional Basque factory, but it also shows how entrepreneurs were able to integrate machines from many European countries into a single manufacturing process. Your beret is part of a range of one-size basic berets with a variety of labels based on typical Basque sports.

 

[Cally]

I believe this black beret is from Dorthea Kitting Mills in Canada. I know that Dorthea did use "Fleur De Lis, Genuine Basque Beret" but I cannot find an emblem/logo like it anywhere but did find this statement:

In the early years (1943-1946), Canadian manufacturers would stamp their markings in the liner using a turquoise-coloured ink. Later the manufacturers switched to white ink."
from the Canadian War Museum Website https://journals.lib.unb.ca/index.php/MCR/article/view/17868/22087

Can anyone help??

 

[Daan]

View attachment 31118

I believe this black beret is from Dorthea Kitting Mills in Canada. I know that Dorthea did use "Fleur De Lis, Genuine Basque Beret" but I cannot find an emblem/logo like it anywhere but did find this statement:

In the early years (1943-1946), Canadian manufacturers would stamp their markings in the liner using a turquoise-coloured ink. Later the manufacturers switched to white ink."
from the Canadian War Museum Website https://journals.lib.unb.ca/index.php/MCR/article/view/17868/22087

Can anyone help??

Hi Cally,

You are correct: the Fleur de Lis brand is owned by the Dorothea Knitting Mills and so your beret is definitely made by DKM. DKM was founded in 1926, by Louis Borsook, as a wool felt beret manufacturer. Named after his wife (who was the first mother to ever graduate from the University of Toronto medical school), DKM has grown to become one of North America’s largest knitwear and accessory manufacturers. The company, now a 4th generation family business, still manufactures berets, sold under the 'Parkhurst' label (and aimed primarily at a female clientele).

Over the decades, DKM has used a variety of labels and prints in their berets. I have not come across yours either, but the technique (ink on cotton) was typical for DKM. Here are some more samples:

There were also the Grand'mere berets, made by Canadian company Grand'mere Knitting Mills. I have tried to find more information on this company (they were big producers of berets in the 1940's and 50's, but found very little information (apart from the current owner of the name being based in Montreal, Canada).

 

[Daan]

Bastille Day is the name given in English-speaking countries to the French National Day, which is celebrated on the 14th of July each year. In France, it is formally called La Fête Nationale and commonly Le quatorze juillet; the fourteenth of July.

It commemorates the 1790 Fête de la Fédération, held on the first anniversary of the storming of the Bastille on 14 July 1789; the anniversary of the storming of the Bastille fortress-prison was seen as a symbol of the uprising of the modern nation, and of the reconciliation of all the French inside the constitutional monarchy which preceded the First Republic, during the French Revolution.

Festivities and official ceremonies are held all over France and in French communities across the world. The oldest and largest regular military parade in Europe is held on the morning of 14 July, on the Champs-Élysées avenue in Paris in front of the President of the Republic, French officials and foreign guests.

The official photo of French president François Hollande at the Champs-Élysées in Paris, for the celebration of La Fête Nationale

And yes, many, many berets on Bastille Day! Get your own tri-couleur here.

 

[Daan]

Common wisdom dictates that even in France and Spain beret-wearing is a thing of the past. As I have written here earlier, I found this delightfully un-true on my last trip to the Pyrenean borderlands.
And while one may struggle to find a quality French made beret even in Paris, it is good to see how readily the berets by Boinas Elósegui are available in Spain. Just check out this collection of shop window pictures!

And for those unlucky enough to not be in Spain, you'll find the largest selection of Boinas Elósegui berets at South Pacific Berets; this week with Boinas Elósegui's Exposición Super Lujo on special at a much reduced price!

 

[galopede]

I visited San Sebastian in Spain several years ago. Got a cheap flight on Ryanair to Biarritz in France, stayed there two nights then got the bus to San Sebastian over the border. Basque territory! Also much more interesting than Biarritz!

I was amazed at the number of men wearing berets there. Ended up finding a hat shop somewhere that seemed to only sell berets! Might even have been one from your photos above!

Tried a few on and came home with a Super Lujo. Still have it and wear it regularly. Lovely beret.

Gareth

 

[Daan]

Les origines du béret

[video=youtube;zTU5PpFDaLs]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zTU5PpFDaLs[/video]

A video by France 3 with lots of interesting snippets of information about berets; historical fragments and photographs, the production at Laulhere, it's sales director Mark Saunders, Oloron Sainte Marie's oldest beret seller... etc.
Enjoy!

 

[Daan]

Bérets Germain in Harris Tweed

"Harris Tweed means a tweed has been hand-woven by the islanders at their homes in the Outer Hebrides, finished in the islands of Harris, Lewis, North Uist, Benbecula, South Uist and Barra and their several purtenances, and made from pure virgin wool dyed and spun in the Outer Hebrides". This definition of Harris Tweed became statutory when the Harris Tweed Act was passed in 1993. Only tweed made this way can be given the Harris Tweed trademark 'Orb' stamp, which the Harris Tweed Authority gives to every piece of the cloth.

With the Bérets Germain in Harris Tweed, Laulhère shows innovation in a classic product with classic material.

These berets make an excellent fit on both men and women; to accompany denim, a three piece suit or a leather biker outfit: très chic, très hip, très sexy!

Available in the weaves Prince the Galles, Chevron Marron Beige and Chevron Bleu in 10 pouces / 28cm diameter, fitted with the Héritage label and a soft cotton headband that can be worn folded inwards (classic Basque) or outwards (military style).