„Try to remember – Croatia invented the neck tie“ is the message from the video that CNN iReport recently screened on their website. In the report Croatia was introduced as the homeland of the neck tie (cravat), with a short history and the brand Croata.

The video featuring the cravat as the Croatian contribution to world heritage was made by the non-profit organisation Academia Cravatica, for the occasion which has been marked as the International day of the cravat since 18 October 2008. The video tells a story about Croatian soldiers who wore red neck ties in France, tied «a la croat» (in a specific Croatian way). It also explains how it is the root for the word cravat in many languages.

`With the cravat we send a message of sincere and everlasting values as a good foundation for the future`, says Academia Cravatica in the CNN iReport. Academia Cravatica was founded in 1997 as a non-profit organisation with the goal of preserving and promoting the story of the cravat. The cravat is considered an original Croatian product. It spread through Europe in the 17th century by Croatian soldiers, becoming a recognizable fashion accessory. The French were among the first to take to it and in their language it became known under the name cravate. Later, other European languages called it by similar names. Because Croatian soldiers were recognized by their red neckerchiefs, which were called cravats in the beginning, in 1667 a special regiment was formed and was called «Royal Cravates».

CNN iReport
www.ireport.cnn.com

Academia Cravatica
wxw.academia-cravatica.hr