Gloves–Past and Present
We lastly put on a pair of gloves on cold winter mornings before walking out the door. Gloves can be either thick winter gloves that keep our hands and fingers warm in the dead of winter, thin unlined gloves that bring a bit more elegance to our whole outfit, or driving gloves designed to be worn, as the name implies, while behind the wheel. How far can the history of gloves be traced back and, today, what is a pair of well-chosen gloves good for?
The history of gloves can be traced back to ancient times. For a very long time, gloves were not a part of decorum but means of protection of the hands used by peasants and shepherds. Glove-wearing habits later changed. Noble lords used gloves to protect their hands while eating, i.e. to be able to take hot meat. Gloves also had a symbolic meaning, for example a glove (gauntlet) thrown at an opponent’s feet meant a challenge to a duel.
Over time, gloves gained popularity among women as well, who preferred to wear decorated gloves to add a touch of elegance to their outfit. Centuries ago, gloves were perfumed for obvious reasons (click here to read the article on Catherine de’ Medici’s scented gloves). Gloves began to symbolize a status of their owner, as clean, white hands signified high status, while workers and peasants who did not wear gloves had sun-browned hands.
In Hungary, the history of the manufacture of gloves dates back through centuries and is linked with the name of János Hamerli who in the mid-1800s founded his glove manufacture in Pécs. He learned the craft of tanning and glove-making in Switzerland, then, after returning home, put his knowledge to good use in Hungary. The factory was successfully competing in its industry for decades. Entirely handmade Hamerli gloves were in high demand internationally and earned fame and recognition to the factory in Pécs. The factory continued to operate even after it was nationalised following the Second World War but was closed down in the 1990s. However, the former workers of the glove factory decided not to give up their commitment to excellence and quality and, a few years later, started their small glove manufactures and have continued the tradition of making gloves with traditional artisanal techniques (hand-sewn gloves meeting the highest quality standards). One of the most remarkable manufactures among them is Karma Pécs Gloves (Karma Pécsi Kesztyű).
Karma Pécs Gloves
The company has been manufacturing high-quality and elegant gloves for almost thirty years. The manufacture is based in Hungary, but its gloves can be bought in many countries worldwide. Everyone has probably come across gloves made by Karma Pécs Gloves without knowing that the accessory was actually manufactured by the company in Pécs.
One reason for that may be that, besides manufacturing products under its own brand, the American Gaspar Gloves that provides the most impressive actors and celebrities with gloves has hired Karma Pécs Gloves as a contract manufacturer. For instance, the gloves Ryan Gosling wore, while playing the driver in Drive released in 2011, were created by Gaspar Gloves.
Dior, Coach and several royal families have been among the customers of Karma manufacture.
The company, while continuing the tradition of making legendary high-quality and elegant Hungarian gloves using traditional artisanal techniques, is also innovative. For example, it developed an effective solution, special gloves, to avoid virus spread. Keeping gloves germ-free after visiting a public space, including public transportation, shops and stores, has always been important, but especially so in these days. That is what washable and disinfectable Karma gloves are made for. You can wash the special gloves in warm water or spray them with disinfectant, as the gloves retain their original shape after they have dried, without any diminution in quality. For readers of Salon Pygmalion, the great news is... these gloves, in three colours, are now available to buy on our webshop.(shop it here)
Another innovation of the company is the development and manufacture of antibacterial gloves. Thanks to nanotechnology, the impregnated surface of Invisible Pro antibacterial leather gloves is capable of neutralising pathogens. As confirmed by the test results obtained during the eight-month testing period, as part of the development process, the leather gloves retain their property of disinfectability for a long period of time. The combination of tradition and innovation gives you the freedom to touch anytime, anywhere. The product called Invisible Pro, manufactured by Karma Pécs Gloves and further developed through an impregnation technology, is nothing but stylish leather gloves that provide effective protection and work for everyday use. It is our privilege to announce that Invisible Pro antibacterial gloves are also available in five different colours in our webshop. (shop it here) Since Invisible Pro gloves are not only a stylish fashion accessory but also enable you to protect your health.