Runway to retail: balaclavas

Tracing the trend

The name comes from their use at the Battle of Balaclava during the Crimean War of 1854, referring to the town near Sevastopol in the Crimea. Handmade balaclavas were sent over to the British troops to help protect them from the bitter cold weather. Hence, for decades, balaclavas were associated with the military and para military organizations. At some point, wearing a balaclava became a statement of protest à la the Russian activist group Pussy Riot.