Piles of Silks

I had the pleasure of an afternoon meeting with Michael Drake of the eponymous necktie and scarf maker the other day, to select ties for the spring 2010 season. Selections are made from samples that are woven in lengths of nine or ten colorways of the same pattern. The striped silk grenadines and silk shantungs, both rarely seen, will be of interest to men who love clothing.

We talked as we worked, and I learned that Italian retailers will be offering still narrower goods next year, the majority seven centimeters (2 3/4") wide (that is down from eight centimeters this year and nine cm or 3 1/2 inches just a year or two ago).


I also ordered a couple styles of silk scarves for this coming fall when the ASW shopping site will be fully operational. It will offer just a few of of the pictured scarf, depicting white skiers on a navy background. Later in the year, they'll be joined by madras printed linen and dotted modal and cashmere scarves for spring.