“These kippot were born out of the desire to provide people who live in a world of luxury and brands a kippah befitting their lifestyle,” he told Israel’s popular Yediot Acharonot newspaper.

By contrast, a black velvet kippah would identify him as haredi, or ultra-Orthodox, while larger crocheted or knit kippot, which might stay more readily on a bald pate, are favored by a subset of ...