What is it About Drake's?

I confess, I'm in love - and indeed I have increasingly been for sometime. And my love at this particular moment in time is for Drake's thirty six and fifty ounce silk foulard ties. Drake's first came to my attention around a year ago, when a friend treated me to a navy, cream and red abstract printed tie for my Birthday. Having never owned and always admired Drake's ties before, I became hooked as soon as I lifted it from the box, and even more so when I slipped it around my shirt collar for the first time. What is it that makes these delicate lengths of folded silk so enchanting? They're quite simply some of the best ties produced in the world today, and each and every one of them is handmade in London by highly experienced craftsmen. 

A relatively youthful company by the standards of the usual age-old luxury British menswear standards, the brand can claim a for itself a modern identity and progressive approach borne of its flexible and innovative take on British manufacturing. Founded in 1977, Drake's set-up shop in London - intent on producing the finest accessories (initially scarves - neck ties were to come later) with a real quality of manufacture and classically British flair. Some thirty years later under the direction of Mr. Michael Hill, the brand continues to do just that. 

Drake's has always prided itself on producing a quirky product, but one with integrity and British authenticity. Drake's ties and handkerchiefs are both designed and hand-printed in London and then produced (once more by hand) in the company's factory in the East End by a small, pride-filled and loyal complement of craftsmen. To produce its other accoutrements, Drake's partners with like-minded artisanal producers; creating knitwear, highly sought after limited runs of tailored pieces (this season's sky blue double-breasted linen blazer is particularly fine) and shirting. Particularly admirable the four ply Scottish cashmere shawl collar cardigans which offer the softest, yet most durable knits in the business.

In essence, nothing is allowed to compromise the quality of the product and Drake's ties are the ideal example the obsessive care taken to ensure that this is the case. Take for example the emphasis placed on construction. Drake's ties are hand-rolled for a fuller, softer shape, cut on the bias and hand-sewn using a perfectly honed slip-stitch through their full length (a technically demanding stitch, used especially for top-quality ties because it allows the product to stretch when tied and recover when untied). The great paradox of a Drake's tie is one of trust - this care and attention to detail produces a tie which feel extremely delicate, yet the quality of construction and cloth ensures that the tie is considerably more forgiveable and durable than many other similar products on the market - it takes a while to get your head around it and understand the durability of their ties. A Drake's tie feels light and comfortable on (even their fifty ounce foulards, which are really quite heavy for a modern neck tie), produces a lovely dimpled knot and recovers beautifully from a full day's wear, complete with regular tightening and knot-fiddling. They're the kind of accessory that comes to inspire an entire outfit, the quality of even something as understated as a plain navy grenadine shines through.



Ties come in different weights and with different linings (both tipped and untipped - again with a hand-rolled edge in the case of the latter) cut from beautiful silks, wools, linens and innovative cashmere blends but also using a combination of different blade widths and lengths. The different weights of silk cloths used are also emphasised and Drake's are (to my knowledge) the only company today who go to the lengths of routinely offering ties with different weights and linings off-the-peg. 

On personal note, as a lover of beautifully made clothing, and more specifically of bold vintage inspired prints and art deco geometric patterning - Drake's is pretty damned perfect. For example, I've just treated myself to a cotton and silk blended pocket square on which is emblazoned several scantily clad navy art-deco figures in bathing suits clutching orange and white beach-balls. The approach to such things is colourful, witty, dry and quintessentially British. Although there will be more to come on the new Autumn/Winter collection later in the season, the few pieces that have been released thus far are conventionally innovative and intriguing. Brushed silk diamond motif print ties in navy, purple, maroon and ochre set the standard.

There's not a lot more to say, because Drake's ties are one of those rare things that simply must be experienced in the flesh, and although an expensive luxury for many, I know of many menswear connoisseurs who simply will not wear anything else for having tried Drake's. I myself have been expanding my modest collection at every opportunity and would advise readers to indulge whenever and wherever they can. 

Drake's ties start at £95.00, bespoke ties start from £155 with no minimum order required.

www.drakes.com