Models in a warlike and rebellious headdress walk the catwalks of the fall-winter season with a brazen and confident gait. It is called a balaclava. If you are not averse to patting others around a little and being known as the most desperate fashionista, perhaps you should pay attention to this trend.
History of appearance.
Balaklava (other names – ski mask, cap comforter) is a headgear that covers the head and almost the entire face, leaving a small area open around the eyes and lips. The first mentions of the balaclava as a piece of clothing date back to the Crimean War of 1853-1856. The winter of 1854 was particularly cold in the Crimea, and the British troops stationed near the city of Balaklava lacked uniforms. The ingenuity of the military found a way out – in hats bought from local women, they made holes for the eyes and mouth, put them on their heads, and thus escaped the cold. Now the balaclava is part of the ski and snowboard equipment, there are models for firefighters and military.
Balaklava in popular culture.
Balaklava, in addition to its direct purpose, has weight and as a certain symbol in popular culture. Firstly, this headdress allows you to completely hide the face, so it often becomes an attribute of criminals. However, in addition to this superficial stereotypical meaning, the balaclava personifies the spirit of protest against the ingrained order, the power of the idea, which is defended no matter what. Left-wing and anti-globalization organizations have often resorted to wearing balaclavas – once for anonymity, once to reinforce the element of “protest” (here it will be enough to recall Pussy Riot). They do not stand aside from this reception and emphasize the rebellious mood in their image and celebrity – Beyonce starred in a balaclava for the video for the On the Run tour, and Rihanna appeared in it at the last Cohachella festival.
Summary
Should I wear a balaclava in everyday life? Wearable or is it or is it fashion for fashion’s sake? There is no definite answer. Designers presented many options for balaclavas – calmer and more open, soft tones (Marni), as well as bright, extreme (Gucci). While it looks catwalk, shocking and it is difficult to imagine the city streets filled with people in balaclavas.