If you’ve ever peered into a microscope, it’s likely that you’ve been wowed by the microscopic world of colors and texture; the patterns of nature caught under a lens. That was certainly the case for Ariele Faber, founder of ,…
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Seven bright picks channel the coming season
With Spring dawning in half the world—including at CH HQ in NYC—we’ve been inspired to brighten up our warmer weather attire to the match the early blossoms. After searching for Spring-ready neckwear, we have gathered together a selection of ties and bow ties that best convey the renewed energy of the season.
Using Thomas Mason’s coveted fabrics, the “Cameron Bow” ($62) accurately captures the ethos of spring and summer sun. Microcord cotton adds texture and natural striping to this New York-made accessory.
For a something cheerful but still subdued, this pastel striped tie ($58) hits all the right notes. Made by Monitaly, the cotton construction is cut for a slim silhouette and is casual enough to wear without a jacket.
You can’t go wrong with a traditional rep tie. Ernest Alexander’s version ($72) uses micro-stripes to break up the green and blue dominance, and lines the silk exterior with a somewhat sturdier and more laid-back chambray.
Fit for the office and sunday brunch alike, this brightly hued royal twill tie (£95) is screen-printed by hand in England. The luxe brand’s simple polka dot design injects a sense of fun into a look that can still pass as conservative enough.
The “Artist Jacquard” ($98) from Shipley & Halmos balances the dominant pink with a navy that comes through in the furrows. Printed across the silk are renditions of a painter hard at work, for a thoughtful and humanizing little riff on the critter motif.
The bold hues of this knitted silk tie ($190) fall in line with the Italian brand’s trademark mastery of prints, but in a slightly unexpected form. The squared end stands out, and lines of tan anchor the colorful spectrum against a formal ensemble.
Part schoolboy geek, part retro badass, this cotton check tie ($88) is made from vintage 1960s fabric. Plus, the ultra-limited run of 12 ties comes lined with a charming shamrock pattern on the underside.
Pink seersucker serves as the cornerstone to any spring tie collection. Hand-sewn from woven English cotton, the texture of Alexander Olch’s take ($140) softens the shirt-and-tie look with casual preppy spirit.
Ripstop nylon bowties and microfiber handkerchiefs
Dedicated to infusing classic men’s style into activewear, Activist Eyewear has recently partnered with Alfred Julius to produce a run of 50 bow tie and handkerchief pairings made from durable, unexpected materials—bow ties are constructed from nylon ripstop with an antique bronze rivet and the handkerchief is made with heavyweight microfiber to double as a handy lens cloth.
Activist Eyewear, features limited runs of vintage designs elevated with high-grade materials and their signature Split Fit temples for comfort and stability. Alfred Julius specializes in outfitting well-heeled men with bowties cut from uncommon fabrics. The ripstop nylon in this collaboration is but another experiment in a line that includes ties made from cotton kente cloth, cashmere, selvedge denim and perforated leather.
Both the bow tie and handkerchief were made with durability and quick-dry capability in mind, guaranteeing functionality without sacrificing looks. The pair come packaged in Activist’s wax canvas glasses case that is bound in an individually numbered sleeve.
The set is available for purchase through the Activist online shop.
From apparel to apps, how a Swedish couple designs for the hyper-specialized future
Husband-and-wife collaborative Blixt & Dunder work out of Malmö, Sweden, specializing in branding, packaging and design concept development. To inaugurate the project, the pair started with a bow tie, an accessory of unlikely significance that succeeds in presenting the new brand as a clever and fresh offering.
The limited-edition tie, black with small lightning-bolt emblems, comes lovingly boxed and packaged for the discerning wearer. Rather than opting for a pre-tied version, Blixt & Dunder keep it traditional—a consideration Oscar Wilde would be proud to endorse. Made with pure silk by an undisclosed Italian fashion house with a pedigree in detailing, it’s a nod to menswear heritage, lifting this bowtie above most off-the-rack alternatives.
If you thought the team’s next move would be further into fashion, surprisingly Blixt & Dunder’s next product is a digital one.
Called What See App, the interactive tool is another example of the company’s well-thought-out approach to design. Starting with the problem of newborns’ eyes being less developed than adults, with color perception and clarity much more limited, the strategy is to identify a potential niche for exploration (much like bow ties) before gathering the right resources to help develop it.
Using the expertise of fellow Malmö residents
V.32, as well as Copenhagen’s digital firm Applied Phasor, Blixt & Dunder has made something which might (in its own cute way) help new parents to understand more about their little one. It’s the first of its kind that gives the chance to see through the eyes of a child at various stages of development. Simply download the app, enter the age of your child and take a trip into their world—a little shard of inginuity and a helpful one at that.
Conceived around such micro-economies, Blixt & Dunder is an interesting company, born from two people whose passion for their varied output is only rivaled by the bond they clearly share. With more projects in development, you can bet the next release from Blixt & Dunder will not only be intelligently assembled but very unexpected.
This is site is run by Sascha Endlicher, M.A., during ungodly late night hours. Wanna know more about him? Connect via Social Media by jumping to about.me/sascha.endlicher.
