| Some may balk at the asking price of branded silk ties, | | | | The choice of fabrics from Italy, England, China and |
| questioning, is it just the name we’re paying for, | | | | Japan are enviable, offering and infinite selection of |
| only true to a point. There is a lot more than meets the | | | | finely woven silks in any colour and pattern |
| eye inherent in a handmade, or machine made tie, | | | | combination you heart could possibly desire. |
| each priced accordingly. | | | | They too vary according to silk count and dying |
| Quality by degrees, the difference between | | | | method, either weighted dyes or acid. |
| handmade, or machine made, silk count, individuality, | | | | English weavers choose acid dyes, which result in an |
| and general specifications: The interlining, muslin, and | | | | iridescent three dimensional appearance, un-weighted; |
| wool, or synthetic fibre: Tipping; silk or taffeta: The | | | | they require a much higher silk count to achieve |
| make; labelling, elf loop, stitching. | | | | density, resulting in a raw brilliance and luxurious handle |
| My aim was to draw comparison between handmade | | | | quite unique to England. Most Savile row tailors and |
| and machine made in less than 600 words. Having | | | | many internationally renowned brands cut a regular |
| interacted at all points along the supply chain, from | | | | path to the doorways of these bespoke weavers |
| design concept to retail, I had to learn the basic | | | | scattered sparsely throughout the country side. |
| constructs of a tie and its components before I could | | | | Italian weavers are a completely different culture, |
| honestly profess knowledge on the subject. | | | | preferring the muffled colours given off by gum based |
| A hand made is identifiable by opening up the small tip | | | | dyes. And the choice of colours is muted in |
| at the narrow end, you will notice a small thread of | | | | comparison, shades of greys and blacks, or at the |
| cotton looped. This is known as the slip thread, and, in | | | | other end of the scale soft pastel colours. Italian style |
| spite of technological advances in the sartorial trades | | | | is governed by North South. |
| can only be achieved by very skilful hands, its labour | | | | No one can compete with China on sheer mass |
| intensive, hence the additional cost. | | | | production, affording the masses a little luxury; 100% |
| Another thing worth mention is you can get only tow | | | | silk ties. |
| ties out of one meter of fabric. | | | | Now days China is working more in coalition with the |
| From it are three pieces, known as the blade, the | | | | west and less in competition, as there are mutual |
| gusset and the under end; threaded together correctly | | | | benefits to be shared and past on to the customer. |
| intently to prevent the tie from twisting. | | | | In conclusion; there is no accounting for taste, suited to |
| The slip thread will ensure many years’ good | | | | style, no matter how great or small the cost. |
| knottage and spring back into shape after every use. | | | | Here are a few brands that stand out from all the |
| And there is less friction too, extending its life span. | | | | others; Zegna, Hugo Boss, Paul Smith, Simon Carter, |
| Now the scale of economies starts to favour. | | | | Duchamp and Victoria Richards. Other noteworthy |
| However not all budgets can stretch so far, in these | | | | names; available mainly online; Shane McCoubrey, Ian |
| cases a good machine made will suffice quite | | | | Flaherty, Patrick McMurray, Mira and Michelsons. All |
| adequately, besides most laymen cannot tell the | | | | adhere to key elements of good design and have a |
| difference, or even distinguish between silk and | | | | constant ebb and flow of styles. |
| polyester. | | | | |