KOKOSHNIK: from traditional Russian headdresses to Royal Fashion

Old Russian headdresses

The married women of 16 and 17th century Moscow were required to cover their head compulsory. The used specific hats usually adorned with embroideries, gold, pearls etc. Later on as the fashion evolved and became more sophisticated, the Russian headdresses became more sumptuous and were used at different ceremonials, fancy-dress balls or even as everyday outfit showing the aristocratic rank of the wearer. These further evolved in the case of those made for the high aristocracy in Kokoshnik shape tiaras. In the bellow image, the Grand Duchess Vladimir sports a Kokoshnik imperial style hat adorned with large precious stones and jewels.

Maria Pavlovna Grand Duchess of Russia, c.1902

Closer to our days the Kokoshnik hats were produced according to the fashion of the day. For example, in the image below, Queen Marie of Romania wears a Kokoshnik hat adorned with pearls and precious stones, as an epitome of her Russian imperial bloodline.