The London Lounge

These quintessentially english neckties are surely the most elegant of all. Budd has a lovely selection at the moment - apparently made just outside Macclesfield.

Scot wrote:These quintessentially english neckties are surely the most elegant of all. Budd has a lovely selection at the moment - apparently made just outside Macclesfield.

They always have a good selection of these and I am delighted that their past fears have proved unfounded.
NJS

Perhaps from the same ultimate source, but Drakes of London has several juicy-looking ones on their website. Not cheap, but the falling pound helps a bit. I have some on order.

I agree with my fellow Scot, Budd has some stunning madders in stock. Sadly, for our colleagues in other countries, Budd does not have an online shop.

I have just bought a madder tie from Michlesons, one of what they call their Archive Collection.
".. recreating the special nature of ancient madder and the colour palatte of our heritage"
It certainly looks and feels like ancient madder.

Would you gentlemen give me a little more insight regarding madder?

I picture it as generally done in a paisley or posibly neat pattern, deep burgandies, blues, muddied yellows, purples and browns. I also picture it with a slighty dusty finsh or a bit sueded, as if it has been sand-washed.

Is this right?

If so, Ralph Lauren Purple Label has some nice ones.

C

Roots of a creeping Madder plant (Rubia tinctorum) produce roots that render the dyes anciently used to colour materials, especially silk. The dyes can also be produced artificially.
NJS

The madder dyes used for many years 50+? are not natural. Although the indigo or other colors used may or may not be be natural.

Also in the UK the best printers are Adamley/David Evans and they have used for a number of years a new way of texturing madder that does not use lime. As the use of lime is not legal for environmental reasons.

Adamley/David Evans was owned not long ago by Silk Industries which owns Vanners the silk weavers. Adamley/David Evans is now an independent company that licenses the use of the old archives from Silk Industries.

The Italian "Madders" which are nice are just not the same.

I should add that I meant that they may be produced synthetically (rather than artificially).
NJS

Do any of you think of madder as an appropriate cloth for coat-lining?

Like most silk linings, it won't be especially practical.

For a soft tweed sport jacket, though, it could be stunningly beautiful.

Forgive me, Concordia,

but why is silk not practical for coat linings?

Wears out quickly, can be warm in a lot of the wrong ways, and I suspect also that madder silk would have more friction than desirable.

But not all clothing is meant to be practical. If you try it, please report back on your experience.

I would, Concordia, but I think you just talked me out of it (sigh).

Drakes are now selling a few madder designs online.