The London Lounge

I have an interest in Irish Poplin, it is a mix of wool and silk, and has a rather "matte" finish, which holds its shape. It is less fragile than pure silk. Atkinson's in Northern Ireland has an interesting palette and while it is best known for its regimental striped ties, they have started to make some paisley and "neat" patterns. Mulberrywood got a couple of dozen different pieces, to be made up to customer's specifications (width and length). I had hoped that there might be a LL regimental strip or club tie, but this is the next best thing.

I like the way the silk and wool weave gleams in the light. Great ties for summer especially.

Funny you say that, Will. I have also always thought of Irish poplin as a summer tie material because of the crisp feel, though the addition of wool to the silk ought, all else being equal, to have made them skew towards winter suitability. I have been told you and I hold the minority opinion. Know that I know my company, I am not the least bit concerned.

I think there is a sublet texture to the weave which might suggest "llinen" to a casual observer (read: summer). I like the cloth because it is much stronger than pure silk, less delicate, and holds its knot. I find the color palette of Atkinson's very nice. I have tried to get interest in Atkinson's Irish Poplin making scarves, one side Irish Poplin the other face cashmere or lambswool.

The scarf idea seems quite nice. Perhaps it's an idea to mention to Mulberrywood?

I came across the following article concerning Atkinson's. It mentions that the printing of the fabrics is done abroad. For those who know more about the business of textiles, is this a particularly expensive step in the production process? Or is it a case that they may have felt a facility in a different locale could produce better results? Simply curious is all.

http://www.newsletter.co.uk/ViewArticle ... ID=1476623

Very interesting article. I do not know the pricing and the options for a scarf, say one side lambswool or cashmere, the other side Irish Poplin, fringe, no fringe, length, width, etc.
I would be interested in a London Lounge Club or stripe tie.

I received my 4 ties, made to my specific width and length preferences. Very nice indeed. The colors of the Irish Poplin have a depth to them, matte finish, and the material holds its knots very nicely. I use these for travel. A nice cloth for use with ties and country clothes.

Very addictive indeed. I cannot conceive of going back to ready to wear neckties at this point.

tteplitzmd,

Thank you for your kind words, I am glad that you like your ties. I have not forgotten our discussions about scarves. I am working on some ideas, and while I do have probably 40+ of Atkinsons Irish poplins on hand ( with more on the horizon) I do not have any beautiful lambswool.

Jackson wrote:The scarf idea seems quite nice. Perhaps it's an idea to mention to Mulberrywood?

I came across the following article concerning Atkinson's. It mentions that the printing of the fabrics is done abroad. For those who know more about the business of textiles, is this a particularly expensive step in the production process? Or is it a case that they may have felt a facility in a different locale could produce better results? Simply curious is all.

http://www.newsletter.co.uk/ViewArticle ... ID=1476623

Jackson,

That is a good article. Peter on the right is the brother whom I work with to select our Irish poplins and Michael is in charge of production. Everyone at Atkinsons is very friendly and a pleasure to work with.

It is becoming more difficult to find skilled people everywhere. So various aspects of the silk business are done here and there. This something that I hear from everyone all over the world. So this is a partial explanation of why Atkinsons has work done elsewhere.

I can say that I like their prints, although I only have reasonable conservative ones and I hear that they have some that are whimsical.