Russian stylist Sergey Zverev announced that classic ushanka hats and Russian furs have become major fashion trends across Europe and the United States.
Speaking to the Russian news agency RIA Novosti, the showman and world hairdressing champion said that Western buyers are actively purchasing the traditional cold weather garments.
Zverev explained that ushanka hats have developed into a widespread craze overseas, noting that American rappers and fashionable shoppers are buying them in large numbers. He added that the headwear has grown so popular in the United States that many Americans now believe they invented the design themselves.
The stylist also stated that European consumers consistently turn to Russian pelts regardless of what local designers produce. He noted that coats made of sable, mink, fox, wolf, and rabbit have found broad appeal across European countries and have settled firmly into American wardrobes as well.
Origins of the ushanka hat
The ushanka, which takes its name from the Russian word for ears, is a traditional winter cap designed with thick ear flaps. Wearers can tie the flaps over the crown of the hat or fasten them beneath the chin to protect the ears, jaw, and neck from freezing temperatures.
Russian fur coats, known locally as shubas, have similarly served as essential winter clothing for centuries. Russia has historically maintained a major domestic fur trade, with Siberian sable, fox, and mink prized across northern Eurasia for their warmth and durability.
Zverev became one of Russia's most recognisable public figures after winning European and world hairdressing championships in the late 1990s. He later expanded his career into pop music, television hosting, and notable fashion commentary.
Concerns over salon privacy
The remarks on Western fashion follow separate comments by Zverev regarding safety and privacy during cosmetic treatments. The stylist previously warned about what he viewed as the chief danger when visiting cosmetologists, stating that colleagues had repeatedly informed him about hidden cameras placed inside treatment rooms.
Zverev said that learning about those covert recordings caused him to exercise greater caution whenever booking appointments with aesthetic specialists.
