Fashion accessories & designer ties Here you will find historic anecdotes about fashion, accessories and silk ties, textiles and the progress of silk weaving in England. Plus current news on emerging & established textile and fashion designers, Statistics Unique Visitors: Total Unique Visitors: Outgoing: Total Outgoing: 0 385 0 2308

Articles from Fashion accessories & designer ties

Simon Carter designer wallets 2007-03-02 01:37:00 Simon Carter Designer Wallets We’re familiar with Simon Carter’s reputation of being the “King of Cufflinks” His designer ties are starting to populate more and more stores and then there’s his casual wear. But have you seen his wallets? Now lets face it, there’s only so much one can do to design a wallet that truly differs. Paul Smith wallets have bright stripes, others with photos of mini minors embossed. Richard James uses bright colours on the inside of his wallets as do many other designers, pretty ordinary “Simon Carter take centre stage” he bought the rights of a cartoon strip, transferred to fabric using digital print and then used the brightly coloured material to line his jeans wallets. This is what I call smart design and they’re functional too, lightweight, they slip in and out of small pockets easily. ...

Designer tie 2007-02-27 09:02:00 The 1920’s was a significant year for the tie. Two major innovations occurred on two different continents which changed the tie forevever. This was the decade that saw it being completely re-engineered and re-styled. Thanks to pioneering Paris fashion designer Jean Patou who invented the designer tie. He made silk ties from women’s clothing material. Targeted towards women purchasers, his expensive ties were highly successful. Jesse Langsdorf, an American tailor, discovered that by cutting the tie on the bias of the cloth, the tie would be much more resilient and long- wearing. Cut slightly off bias, the tie would pull off-centre and fall crookedly, but if cut at exactly 45 degrees, the aprons of the tie would drape elegantly, straight down from the knot. He also constructed his ties using three different pieces of silk (the blade, the gusset and the under end) sewn together. He patented his idea and sold it to the world. Today, designer ties abound. Designers create some th ...

Louis Feraud 2007-02-26 05:07:00 As from the day that Louis Fraud opened the door of his boutiques in Cannes 1950 and Paris 1954, he was unanimously recognized as a master of his art. This artist stands out clearly in 1955 when he presents his first Couture collection which is characterised by vibrant colours, typical of his Mediterranean background and inspired by his love of Spanish and Latin American cultures. After a magnificent career, he dies in 1999 at 79 years of age. It is thanks to the strength of his example that he continues, through his creations. Later Feraud would venture into men’s suiting, casual wear and a range of accessories and classic silk ties, all uniquely Feraud in style and colour. Now we can enjoy the vibrancy of his art, which have been transformed into fashion items, like silk ties, sport jackets and suiting. ...

Simon Carter "king of cufflinks" 2007-02-19 02:18:00 In 1985 a quiet revolution began when Simon Carter started selling pewter brooches for men. By the late 80’s Carter was selling designer cufflinks. He introduced fresh and exciting designs and revolutionised the men’s accessories market, which had been stagnant for many years. As he gathered pace other emerging designers joined the band and together helped popularise cufflinks. At last men were getting the choice they demanded, Simon Carter kept in tune with his customers needs and he continued to deliver accordingly. More designers joined the revolution and their advance grew stronger each year. Simon Carter then ventured further into men’s accessories introducing an impressive range of wallets, belts and designer ties, uniquely branded with Carters un-mistakable style.Now us chaps have the choice we deserve. Thank you Simon Carter, Ian Flaherty, Duchamp, Paul Smith, Kit Heat, Jo Downs, Kenzo, Feraud and Murray Ward. ...

Huguenot Silk Weavers 2007-02-08 04:42:00 The Huguenots were French and Flemish Protestants who fled their own countries because of religious persecution. There were two main waves of Huguenot migration – in the latter half of the sixteenth century and towards the end of the seventeenth century. In all, over 200,000 Huguenots fled to the UK and Netherlands.Huguenot migrants possessed considerable knowledge of the textiles industries –especially silk-making. The Courtauld family established a prospering silk industry at Braintree, Essex, while Huguenot weavers also concentrated in the Spitalfields area of London. Lewis (Or Louis) Paul invented the method of roller spinning that was later developed by Richard Arkwright to such great effect. Today companies such as Stephen Walters silk weavers for nine generations and Vanners carry on the silk weaving in Suffolk England. Many British designers are using these companies to produce world class fabrics for their silk ties. Minimum quantities are relatively small so it suppor ...

Timothy Everest and Tommy Nutter 2007-01-31 02:43:00 The Spitalfield flower is a signature pattern created by Huguenot silk weavers in the 1800's. Today recognised as the trademark of the Timothy Everest brand. As one of the architects and leading practitioners of the New Bespoke Movement, Timothy Everest has spent the past decade introducing a new generation of men and women to the joys of handmade clothing. His apprenticeship with Tommy Nutter (legendary tailor to the Beatles and The Rolling Stones) has enabled him to side step the stuffiness of Savile Row whilst employing its peerless standards of craftsmanship. He stresses individuality over the dictates of high fashion, whilst bringing a designer eye to bear on invigorated, contemporary tailoring. His new range of ready to wear silk ties will be featured on patrickmcmurray.com being the first online shop to do so. This indicates Timothy’s willingness to embrace new technology. ...

Mr Ian Flaherty 1969-12-31 17:59:59 I first met Ian Flaherty when visiting him at his humble studio - workshop on Lavender Hill Clapham London. A Scouser by birth and a master of cufflink design and manufacture, he guided me through all its processes from inception to shirt cuff. Knowing this I?d happily pay £65.00 for a pair of his Swarovski cufflinks, ?what?s the value of art?? Although he occupies the same arena as Paul Smith, Duchamp and Simon Carter he?s not in competition with them, his designs are uniquely original and that?s refreshing in this day and age of copycats. You can find his designer cufflinks in British high street stores, America, Japan and Australia, ?I thought it was too hot down under to even wear a shirt? in fact Australia is one of Ian?s biggest export marketsIan is happy being labelled as the quiet achiever, a little British bleeder carving out a niche in the fashion retail rock face. ...

silk weavers and tie makers in England 1969-12-31 17:59:59 World class silk weaving in Suffolk, with a client list to die for, including Hugo Boss, Prada, Polo Ralph Lauren, Dunhill, Christian Dior, Hermes, Vivian Westwood and Chanel to mention more than a few. Expert tie manufactures dotted around the country making for all the big English brand names and most of the Savile Row tailors. Proof that Britain can compete in a bespoke arena but not in a mass production arena. One weaver operates as an export led organisation with more than 75% of its production going overseas. The company has customers in USA, Japan, Germany, France, Italy and many other countries. They?ve survived for more than 200 years. What an impressive record, but how many Brits know about it? It?s a good time to learn a little about what goes on behind the scene in the fashion industry. Then you will appreciate the item you buy and display a lot more. Why? Because you know the story and you?re capturing a little English history.If you're looking for unique silk ties by ...

Kenzo Takada 1969-12-31 17:59:59 Kenzo Takada Japan?s contribution to the world of fashion design Kenzo Takada (???? Takada Kenz?, born 27th February 1939 in Himeji Japan is a Japanese fashion designer. He is also the founder of Kenzo, a world famous brand of silk ties, cufflinks, perfumes, skincare products and clothes. Kenzo's love for fashion developed at an early age, particularly through reading his sisters' magazines. He shortly attended the University of Kobe, where he felt bored and eventually withdrew, against the will of his family. In 1958, he joined a fashion school, Tokyo?s Bunka Fashion College which had then just opened its doors to male students. In 1964 Takada Kenzo moved to Paris, not without adaptation problems. He started at the very bottom of the fashion industry. He worked as a freelance designer and opened his first boutique ?Jungle Jap? in 1970. He presented his first show at the Vivienne Gallery and one of his models appeared in the cover of ELLE; His first work borrowed heavily from trad ...

19th century:The business suit takes shape 1969-12-31 17:59:59 The well-dressed man about town should wear clothes that are simple, functional and discreet, George Bryan "Beau" Brummell commanded in the early 19th century. By advocating well-cut, tailored clothes, Brummell essentially invented what has come to be known as the "British look." Brummell rejected 18th century frills. His mandate, a dark blue coat, buff-coloured pantaloons and waistcoat, black boots and a clean white neck cloth, survives today as the dark business suit, white shirt and silk tie.He was particularly adamant about the whiteness of his cravats. As he made his daily rounds from the park, various gentleman's clubs and fashionable homes, Brummell would stop and change his cravat as often as three times a day. He preferred neck cloths that were lightly starched and carefully folded.The simplicity of Brummell's uniform was adopted by everyone from many working men to his friend, the Prince Regent, later King George IV. For the first time, poorer men hoping to make their way ...

What does it madder 1969-12-31 17:59:59 We keep getting MadderThe ?madder? part of this lovely phrase refers to a natural dye from a Eurasian herbaceous plant, Rubia tinctoria, the root of which was used since ancient times as a regal dyestuff. Thus ?ancient? madder. Since the 19th Century the dye has primarily been used on silk, producing beautifully deep, muted and soft colorations of red, green, chocolate, medium blue, and yellow. Silk dyed in this manner is characterized by a dusty-looking finish and a feel (referred to as a chalk hand by the experts) very much like fine suede, and a matte finish. And not just any silk. A special ?gum? silk, is used. The silk is first boiled to remove its natural gum (an organic resin), dyed, and then the fabric is bathed in a new gum-based solution that gives it its characteristic soft handle and heft. Today the process is employed mainly for neckwear printed in England in a paisley or small geometric pattern. The colouring agent in madder root ? called alizarin ? was in fact first ...

A well travelled silk tie 1969-12-31 17:59:59 I had the pleasure of spending three hours with Chloe a young attractive representative from Stephen Walters silk weavers of Sudbury Suffolk. She?s been assigned to assist with design input for a new range of silk ties due to be released in September 2007 under the banner ?English-Classic-Ties?. When it comes to knowing her stuff Chloe is right up there with the best of them. I thought I new a bit about the weaving industry, I soon found out I did only know a bit. I learned a lot in three hours and probably would have learned more if hadn?t let her good looks distract me from listening. I?m certain she was not distracted by similar thoughts. It was obvious where her focus was, intent on delivering the service she was trained to do. Now why on earth would anyone buy woven silks from England? Why not go to China? It?s much cheaper. Well the silk industry in China is booming like never before, it?s bursting at the seams and spilling over into the Yangtze River and other industries the ...

The rule of thumb 1969-12-31 17:59:59 ?The rule of thumb? This much used phrase originated in Ireland. A husband could lawfully beat his wife with a stick providing it was no wider or thicker than his thumb. Leather belts were also used to deliver beatings to the wife. In some Victorian schools they were still strapping kids with leather belts in the 1960?s. I?ve got the scars to prove it, oh well there goes my age, but not my dignity. Now there are belts and there are BELTS. Most men prefer BELTS as most men prefer BLONDES. I guess it has something to do with bigness, ?big belts, big buckles, big boobs? I?m just making this up as I go along; it kind makes sense, more so than a long of pop songs. Moving up a notch, a ?well hung? tie should sit just atop of the belt, any longer and the buckle which is the focal point will be hidden. The tip of the tie points to the private parts the blade width accentuates them. A handsome, strong buckle draws attention to the general area, hopefully from women and hopefully they are ...

The Elusive Handmade Designer Cufflinks 1969-12-31 17:59:59 As a buyer for an online shop selling men?s luxury fashion accessories, including cufflinks, I have to adhere to customer demands and source products accordingly. If you don?t to your customers they won?t buy. And so begins an arduous task. The men?s fashion accessories market in England is undersupplied and the demand for English made products is strong and getting stronger, so the balance is in my favour, however meeting this demand is not easy. To find cufflinks that conform to core principles of good design .i.e. ?form and function? amongst all the imitations. The task gets harder and even more so when searching for cufflinks that are handmade in England with a maximum retail price of £65.00. However through persistence, my searching tactics were well rewarded. The first designer I discovered that conformed to my selection criteria was Ian Flaherty who works out of his London studio. His cufflinks stems are made from pure English Pewter, double coated with rhodium and inset wit ...