The balloon cap or "newsboy cap" has a rich history that stretches from the streets of London to the fashion runways of Paris and Milan. Popularized in the 19th century, it was once the cap of choice for newspaper boys, craftsmen, and other working classes in both Great Britain and Ireland. With its characteristic rounded shape and small peak at the front, it quickly became the favorite cap of the working class.
In the 20th century, the balloon cap conquered the fashion world. Celebrities like David Beckham and Leonardo DiCaprio have often been seen wearing a balloon cap, which has contributed to its popularity in modern fashion.
Michael Cerny crafts these stylish caps from the finest deerskin from the Kolesch Tannery, the last traditional chamois tannery in Europe. The family business was founded in 1723.
Processing the hides is still carried out almost exclusively by hand. Due to its complexity, the work steps can barely be automated, if at all, and can only be minimally supported by machines. The quality of the chamois leather depends to a large extent on the craftsman's skill and the raw materials available.
The best tanning agent is found in fish oil, and in the case of our deer and roe buck leather, specifically cod oil. Cod oil, with its high acid numbers, guarantees our unique, soft chamois leather.
The hides are soaked in cod oil and absorb it completely. Tanning does not take place yet. Subsequently, these hides are stretched on frames and air-dried. The oxygen in the air combines with the fish oil. Through the "rancidification" of the cod oil, the tanning process begins, accompanied by pungent odors. The drying of the viscous oil, and thus the tanning, can take several weeks. The process of oiling and drying can be repeated 3 to 10 times depending on the type of hide and the desired leather.
The special feature of the traditional chamois tanning process is also the "Nachäschern" (secondary liming) in soft, lime-free water in the stream for a duration of up to 14 days.
After the secondary liming, the leather is oiled 7–10 times and processed further.
At the end, the leathers are washed out in soft, warm soda water. Excess fat is rinsed out, and the bad odor dissipates.
The end result of chamois tanning is a chamois-colored leather with particularly good wearing properties. Chamois leathers are fully washable, soft, moisture-absorbing, skin-friendly, hygienic, and healthy.
The production process for this special material takes a period of 12 months.
The coloring is also done by hand using a so-called brush-dyeing method. The intensity is determined by the frequency of the color application and is performed only on the grain side. Thus, the flesh side remains uncolored, retaining its "chamois or yellow" tanning color.
These caps are created by Michael Cerny in more than 4 hours of handiwork. From cutting out the more than 14 pieces to pinning/gluing, fitting, and stitching. The special feature is the double-stitched seam along the individual triangles, which makes the cap very high-quality and elegant.
Over time, the caps adapt more and more to their wearer and become supple and soft. The deerskin is also slightly stretchable, which means that if you have a head circumference of, for example, 58.5 cm, choose size 58-59 cm. If you have a head circumference of, for example, 58 cm, choose size 57-58 cm. In other words, always choose the next size down.
The delivery times for this are approx. 3-14 days, depending on availability.
There are 4 color variants: brushed black-brown, brushed brown, brushed ash-grey, and brushed black. The colors may vary slightly from lighter to darker.
Not just a cap, but a statement!
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