Michael
Beautiful designs that will give you butterflies
Just taken my first delivery from Helen at Blueeyesbowties.com. Will be the first of several, I think, such is the quality of the white silk pocket square and continental bow tie she fashioned for me. Not only that - the communication, speed, efficiency, packaging, delivery, and personalised touches of her service are as impeccable as the products. Her prices are comparable to those of larger businesses working with lesser materials, and far keener than those of premium competitors offering similar materials. Naming no names, there is a made-to-measure UK bow tie specialist where the most modest dicky starts at around £160, compared to Helen's elegant "The Gentlemen" butterfly at £89. The pocket square I bought in Dupion silk boasts an attractively eye-catching slubby surface, and crisp texture that allows it to sit up in a breast pocket as proudly as starched linen. Bow ties are often associated with retro stuffiness. Not so here: I bought an innovative continental tie, a thinnish ribbon of black Dupion silk, fastened at the front with a pearl-headed popper (gold and black are also available). Yes, this is a revival in a sense, of a 60s design in tune with the slimmer profiles, lapels etc of that era. But also reshaped to be as timeless as any fashion can be, with the most minimal of outlines and just a hint of crossover ends where fastened. Timeless enough for similar designs to have been seen adorning the necks of Tupac Shakur and Karim Benzema. Sure beats the loucheness of a lariat when worn as black tie! In fact, you could confidently turn up in one to collect YOUR Grammy or Ballon D'Or. And even if Helen's creations are not for you personally, they will make very welcome gifts for the dashing gentleman in your life. Or - why not? - the adventurous woman, should you be lucky enough to know any budding Marlene Dietrichs. ADDENDUM: I've now added one of those Gentlemen butterflies to my collection, and a very fine addition it is, crafted to the same high standards as Helen's other creations, with a pleasing 70s-ish extravagance to its decadent Dupion silk wings.