| The English madder silk tie is recognised worldwide as | | | | a status symbol on college campuses since the 1930s, |
| an icon of British style. It's a home grown classic with a | | | | as natty alternative to the traditional striped tie. |
| proud heritage and a distinct provenance. The | | | | Let's not forget other methods of print, like screen |
| "madder" part of this lovely phrase refers to a natural | | | | printing, which is still very much alive in traditional form |
| dye from a Eurasian herbaceous plant, Rubia tinctoria. | | | | and widely used by the fashion industry in preference |
| Its continuing success through decades of rise and fall | | | | to digital print. Although labour intensive and more |
| owe much too scientific intervention. The colouring | | | | costly to produce than woven silks, the resultant quality |
| agent in madder root called alizarin was in fact first | | | | of screen printing is far superior to any digital print |
| chemically extracted and then synthesized in 1869 by | | | | techniques. But watch your backs, digital print |
| two English chemists. Although the dyeing process, | | | | technology is rapidly improving and within five to seven |
| even today, requires a variety of painstaking steps, | | | | years it will be knocking on the door of traditionalists |
| synthesized alizarin brought the price within the reach | | | | beckoning them to accept change or close their doors |
| of commercial producers. Testimony to the significant | | | | forever. You can't ignore progress, without it very few |
| part science plays ensuring the longevity of styles and | | | | could afford to buy a madder tie. Digital print will |
| textiles. Silk dyed in this manner is characterized by a | | | | eventually drive down printing costs making products |
| dusty-looking finish and a feel (referred to as a chalk | | | | more affordable for the general public. |
| hand by the experts) very much like fine suede, and a | | | | If you're a collector then it's not complete without |
| matte finish. | | | | madder. Frank Sinatra is reputed to have such in his |
| Continuing, madder ties adorn the necks of English | | | | collection of five hundred, which he often gave to |
| gentry countrywide. Sitting perfectly with tweed | | | | adoring fans when touring. |
| jackets and checked shirts. It complements a | | | | It's a short story with a long history. |
| recognisable style that remains true to form and | | | | Now chaps don't rush off in pursuit of that elusive |
| function with a distinctive British sensibility. Like most | | | | madder silk tie left hanging darkly in your wardrobe. |
| quintessential home grown classics madder ties stand | | | | Wait until autumn is upon us and choose one that |
| the test of time, even today designers include them in | | | | matches the brilliant hues of nature of which we are |
| their seasonal collections. Michelsons tie makers since | | | | very much apart of. Finally if you want something really |
| 1937 regularly produce a small range of madder prints. | | | | special then you should look for a Neil Bottle or |
| Commonly using small paisley and geometric patterns | | | | Cressida Bell printed tie, they're not easy to come by, |
| against a richly coloured back drop is emblematic of | | | | but a tie collection is not complete without. |
| such a proud heritage. Paisley madder ties have been | | | | |