The Origin of the Cravat
The Legend of the Cravat
Once upon a time, around the 17th century, in mid-Eastern Europe, there was a nation that at the time contained Slavic battle warriors, known for their loyalty and fierceness. As the legend says, these fierce warriors who struck fear into the bones of their enemies, were the ancestors of Croatians as we know them today. At one point in their rough history, Croatian ban (their leader) lead them to the French capital to make some arrangements with French King Luis XIV.
The Croats were proud of their reputation as excellent warriors, which they gained in fierce battles. So, as they rode, they acquired a particular habit. They were known for taking silk fabrics whenever they could find them because silk was excellent for tieing a wound so one wouldn't bleed out. Since they had to have their hands free for riding horses and wielding weapons, they tied it around their necks, where they could've been at the top of their hands in case of need.
This, of course, didn't go unnoticed on the French court. Even then the French had a distinct style and were kind of surprised with these barbarians carrying silken fabrics as part of their mostly rugged wardrobe.
We can only imagine the first encounter of French and Croatian soldiers, and we bet it went something like this:
The French: „Hello good people, any friends of fashion are friends of ours, what's that beautiful silky thing you're wearing there?“
Croats: *looking at each other confused, not understanding a word they said since French and Croatian languages are not even remotely similar*
The French: „The thing? That thing.“ *shows to the Croats necks*
Croats: „Guys, do you think they are trying to speak to us or they're messing with us?“
The French: *still showing to their necks*
Croats: „Croats! We're Croats! Learn to speak some Slavic, people!“
The French: „Croats.“ *nodding approvingly* „Really cool.“
Croats: „They like us. We like you too, funny speaking people. You're alright.“
Even though we are only guessing, and it probably went on quite differently, what we know is that Luis XIV liked this „Croat style“ a lot, and he even employed a „cravater“ who chose a couple of cravats (as they became known) for Louis to make sure he was dressed for every occasion. And once the King of France was wearing it – every man who was anything at the court had the cravat.
In the meantime, Croats were satisfied as well.
„They finally took a hint, guys, much fewer people will be bleeding out here. We made the world a better place.“ – they assumed ( as we imagine) :)
In other versions of the same legend, Croatian maidens would give a silken fabric to their beloved, in order to remember them and as a token of good luck (because nothing symbolised true love like a „don't-bleed-out-scarf“).
But what we know for sure is that a tie, or a cravat as it is sometimes called, evolved in modern Western Europe into a fashionable accessories worn by a real business men and the gentlemen. It is also interesting that as the Croatian nation evolved to be more civilised, we stopped wearing silk around our necks, so when we were re-introduced to the ties a couple of centuries later, we accepted the name „kravata“ (read as: krah - vah - tah) which still has this Croat-ish sound to it, but we still picked on this fashion news kind of late considering we invented the thing (but for the other purpose).
A Cravat Around Arena In Pula
Today a tie is a part of the most important cultural heritage. This is why we decided to show our love for it by making the biggest tie in the Guinness World Record. On 18th of September 2003 (this is a national Cravat's Day, btw), a giant tie was tied around Pula's Arena. It is made of 9.015 m2 fabric, dyed red and it symbolises a tie as a part of not only Croatian but also as global cultural heritage. Some fun fact about the production:
- The maker admits that even though it took 450,75 kg of fabric and 120 km of string, the trickiest part was tieing the cravat's knot (yes indeed, we didn't fake it, it's a real knot).
- Dr Bruno Calić, a professor, an expert in ship-building, and also an inventor made a special metal construction to hold a tie in its place.
- To keep the tie clean from bird's waste, an artificial sound of a howl was emitted through megaphone in order to scare the seagulls. It worked. :)
Image credit: Academia Cravatica webpage
The Cravat Of Today
The most famous and well-known Croatian cravat brand is „Croata“ which belongs to the „Potomac d.o.o.“. Their speciality is the historical tradition. They understand that this clothing piece is a part of a national identity, and they work with great care and respect with this accessory.
Their ties are made from only the most flawless silk, a fabric knitted in many different but evenly beautiful ways, and in the highest top quality of a globally accepted brand. The motives are modern, designed by Croatian stylists and different among collections, but many are inspired by the origin of a tie, containing motives such as the old Croatian alphabet (aka „glagoljica“), Dux Croatorum, Adriatic coast and other characteristic models. On the packages, you can always find a little bit of history that your unique personal tie is connected to, so you know what kind of value you wear. This brand is proud to be an exclusive and pricey brand because they don't just sell ties. You are buying a little bit of our heritage, history and pride. And by wearing a tie proudly, you catch a bit of a Croatian spirit yourself.
Image credit: Croata Facebook Page
All things considered, the fashion comes and goes, and ties change its form and colour, length and thickness. But one thing that stays is a symbolism and value it has for Croatian people and a cultural identity we connect with it. That... Is both priceless and permanent.
Wear your cravat proudly! :)
Header image: Kravate; Zdenka Karaman
Author: Zdenka Karaman