Fashion Critiques

A quick and simple way to research before buying online isvia critiques and product reviews; novices and professionals alike base theirtrust and opinion on the opinions of others. Critiques are often short and tothe point, we want information at our fingertips quickly so we can get on withour busy lives. Now like never before we can share knowledge and informationfreely, breaking down the barriers of this archaic protectionist society welive in. This suits us just fine, we can draw on our research data and insideinformation, share it you and accomplish. Many of the brands we critique arepersonally known to us. For example we know precise details of the SS 2008collection of cufflinks and silk ties by Vivienne Westwood. Although notavailable for a few months we've handled and photographed the cufflinkcollection, so we can comment first hand. One thing you can predict from Vivienne is her unpredictability. If you like surprises then make a note on your2008 Calendar. Like all her styles they're collectable and will always holdvalue.

Here is a name no one knows of, VictoriaRichards; her silk ties are designed from inspiration, they look and feeldifferent from those pulled from scrap books or archives, driven by marketresearch, or forced by trend setters and style gurus. The difference isinspiration, the result, silk ties that will never hang darkly in your wardrobe, bright andcheerful, free from classification: Colours of dawn and dusk, tropical,Mediterranean, even arctic, autumn, winter, spring and summer, a VictoriaRichards Silk Tie, Jo Snow, Chanel 4 anchor man displays them regularly.

Some may say Timothy Everest silk ties are quite ordinary, well; at first glancethey appear so. But you must remember we are dealing with a Savile Row Tailorand very often the differences are very subtle, it may be the colours, or thearrangement of pattern, or variation of classical style, or the texture andchoice of weave. At closer inspection many subtleties become obvious; forexample in his current paisley collection, he used solid dark colours to form abackground to display effervescent paisley patterns, as though stitched to thefabric. Look even closer and you'll notice the texture framed inside thepaisley differs slightly from the background. The fabric, the patternarrangement and colours are enhanced by a variety of subtle textures that makeyou feel you're in touch with very high quality. This is an example of needle craftat its best. It's the subtle differences that give everlasting appeal. Gaininga reputation on Savile Row is not like pulling a name out of a hat, you have toput in the hard yards, it's a lifetime commitment.

A Savile Row Historic Anecdote: Richard James, the first of the 'NewGeneration' tailors, opens a shop on Savile Row. James introduces Saturdayopening (a revolution on Savile Row) and a fashionable edge not seen since TheHouse of Nutter's glory days.

Tommy Nutter dies. As a fitting epitaph, one of Nutter's final commissions isthe outlandish purple suit Jack Nicholson wears playing The Joker in TimBurton's Batman Returns.

Duchamp; predictably out of the ordinary, bold and vivid, but still dependanton classical forms, there's no getting away from paisley, stripes, checks,floral, polka dots and variations of. The thing with Duchamp, in spite of thereluxurious appearance, they are predictable and highly stylised, you know whatto expect, no surprises. And since the original founders jumped ship, under newmanagement and ownership the essence has been lost to a large degree. Some oftheir products are like the old Duchamp we know so well and others are straightout of the archives and resemble any number of other brands. Still they sidestep being pigeon holed completely and set a good benchmark.

A historic anecdote about the tie: In the 18th and 19th centuries, Britishsailors often wore white and blue uniforms, complete with a silk or cotton bandanna, or scarf,usually blue.
The sailor suit began to be worn in the mid 1800s as yachting became popular.This has had its greatest impact on clothing for women and children. The modernsailor's suit was introduced for boys around 1860 and became an instantsuccess. Still worn today, the white and blue outfit also comes with a dressfor girls. "Hello sailor"

Michelsons, makers of fine neckwear since 1937: agood honest silk tie, no frills, no extras, no fancy stitching or quirkylabels. They have an archive of about 10,000 designs that go back many decades,so variety is never an issue. If you want a conservative every day work tiethat will take the hard knocks, then a Michelsons tie is the best economicalsolution. Their best seller is the classic hounds' tooth, a style that has seencountless fashion cycles and still a seasonal choice of many well known brands.

Finally: The floral tie has been hanging darkly in wardrobes far too long, it's time for justice. And just because autumn is upon us does not mean we have to reflect gloom in the clothes we wear. Add some cheer to grey sulky skies with this tribute to the Designer silk tie exclusive to Patrick McMurray, an artist's rendition of Point Sienna flowers, woven onto ultra fine satin silk

That's about it for now.

About the Author:

Purveyor of finely crafted Silk Ties and handmade silver cufflinks by, Ian Flaherty, Simon Carter, Vivienne Westwood, Lbb London, Veritas, Timothy Everest, Michelsons and Victoria Richards, Louis Feraud, Shane McCoubrey and Cressida Bell, plus a selection of Vivienne Westwood silk ties