Feraud Designer Ties: Impact-less

The Louis Feraud Brand has yet to make an impact with its men’s accessory range. The ties are adventurous enough, but in short bursts, the rest of the collection have little to say. Although lack lustre the name is on the move and the look gets stronger each season, if you compare with brands like Armani you’ll be disappointed. Stand alone, Feraud ties are made in Italy to exacting specifications and price wise, a good entry point. The opinion, any Feraud product is worth having in a collection. A bit of floral, some paisley and add a few stripes, a safe recipe to begin with.

A Swank Designer Silk Tie.

Shane McCoubrey started his own label after working all over the world designing for, Louis Vuitton, Valentino and Gucci. Happy to go it alone and develop his distinctive style he’s gradually gaining recognition. Drawing inspiration from the 60’s Lava Lamps, Shane produced some vivid renditions for his introductory range of Designer Silk Ties; you’ll have to search long and hard to find ties that reflect such artistic prowess with true individuality. Shane has a small dedicated following.

Simplicity: The Simon Carter philosophy

Simon Carter’s reputation stems from his revolutionary approach to cufflink design following his introductory men’s brooches, in the mid to late 80’s. Some of his original designs are classified vintage. Simon Carter maintains a philosophy of simplicity in the design of all his accessories; they simply perform a function without loosing stylish edge. His cufflinks not only firm to cuff, they glean a touch of elegance and frame perfectly an object of expression. This lovely display of style and engineering will harmonise with any outfit, formal or casual, here an important function inherent in Simon’s philosophy of simplicity, a cufflink for all occasions.

Precision Designer Cufflinks

How refreshing it is, too, gaze over a collection of cufflinks so consistent in mathematical correctness. And when gathered, resemble soldiers in immaculate uniform, marching in perfect formation, poetic stride. Abstractive is dominated by high tech precision, with zero tolerance. The subtle, abstract placement of colour, ordered within, take the edge off discipline

A designers hand possessed with such discipline to marry perfect form and function, while gleaning materials that impress upon you textural influences. Smoothly extending the stem to cradle adornments and display all colours of a rainbow: Concluding, a sophistication expressed by precision, abstract and sense of colour, a truly beautiful cufflink.

“Lbb London, perhaps the very first precision cufflink”

A Swank Retro Designer Cufflink

Swank Inc a popular designer and manufacturer of men’s cufflinks were incorporated on April 17, 1936. When Cufflinks peaked in the 1960’s they were making 12 million a year.

Even though these were aimed at the lowest end of the market, retailing for an average of $2.50 a pair, that still adds up to a lot of men wearing cufflinks. These days the figure is closer to 200,000, but cufflinks are making a strong comeback with gross sales having increased consistently over the last ten years.

The most expensive cufflinks ever sold were a pair given to the soon-to-be
King Edward VIII by his later wife Wallis Simpson. These featured diamonds
set in platinum and sold at auction for $440,000.

“Interesting story, swank cufflinks”

And then came Nathan Tim: A glass designer cufflink

Nathan Tim is a new name to the fashion industry, armed with a mission and a collection of floral Cufflinks that reflect the brilliant hues of nature, showcased in rigid Murano Glass. The flowers captured within reflect not just the timeless beauty of its petals, but also a richly textured history of fine glass making, stemming back many hundreds of years. And Nathan Tim has unearthed the best of the best.

There’s no need to say anymore, the products speak for themselves.

A Rare Designer Cufflink

A new range of enamel cufflinks have quietly arrived on the market. They’re beautifully formed from English Pewter, gleaning vitreous enamels that impress upon you textural influences that give life to lifeless forms. There is a horse and rider in breathless pursuit of the unfortunate Fox, the Mallard and Partridge, Pheasant, and Trout, all brought to still life by the artistic prowess of Ian Flaherty. You can surf the net and trod the high streets, but you’ll be hard pressed to find anything that compares with Ian’s latest work.

“Short and sweet”

Fused Glass Cufflinks: Artistic Intervention: (Murano Glass)

Every now and then I stumble upon designers (fashion or otherwise) that are hidden away somewhere in the woodwork (why hidden?) The other day was one of those “every now and then” occasions. I stumbled upon, Jo Downs, a jewellery designer, while searching for objects befitting men’s collectable fashion accessories. An opportune time to reflect, we balance mass production with bespoke; enter Jo Downs.

Jo is one of the world’s most prominent fused glass designers. She manufactures a rainbow of men’s cufflinks and a kaleidoscope of jewellery for women. Her advanced fusion techniques create abstract designs that fill and warm the coldness and emptiness of glass giving life to the most inanimate material, impressing textural influences, while gleaning colour to glass. Just a glance at her stuff will allay any doubt of her ability and conjure happy feelings, for art is to be appreciated, it should delight the observer enough to want to own a piece of it, for art is not a dark science for the portrayal of despair and ruin, what sense in art that conjures remorse.

It’s not just jewellery that takes form in her studio; glass panel designs are commissioned by renowned architects and hang in famous buildings. And there are objects that decorate home’s sideboards and tables. Coasters, a mere delight to meet the eye, all colours of the rainbow are captured in glass as delicate as ice, but as warm as the sun that filters through open windows of spring time.

To fully appreciate more than the poetic beauty of Jo’s art form, as scientific intervention plays as major role in the formation of art as does the artist creative hand. It would help to understand a glint of history of fused glass production stemming from Murano glass techniques and how history continues to impact on the contemporary formation of things.

Murano, an island located near Venice, is still today regarded as being synonymous with the production of the finest and most elegant glass. Murano's products are the most recognizable glass around the world. Murano glass is often referred to as "cristallo" due to its unique properties.

The art of glass-making in Venice has been present in the city since its very settlement. The Venetians acquired glass-making techniques from other civilisations through their extensive trading colonies in the Eastern Mediterranean and Islamic territories. Around the year 1292, Venetian glassmakers learned every known aspect of glassmaking. Although they were not the only ones to make glass, Venetian production has always been more refined. In the same period, the whole Venetian glassmaking production was moved to the isolated island of Murano becoming one of the world's first industrial districts.

As glass trading with fine Venetian glass was one of the leading sources of trade, it comes as no surprise that glassmaking was one of Venice's most guarded secrets. The art of glassmaking was handed down from father to son, and then became a trade exclusively for those born on the island of Murano. A glassmaker that left the Venetian State was condemned to death as a traitor.

The dominance of Venetian glass lasted until the 19th century when the mutated political situation lead to the development of glassmaking in other European countries. However, the Murano School remains one of the most important in the world, and has retained its influence right up to modern times.

Have a look at Jo Down's cufflinks and while you’re at it have a look at Ian Flaherty’s cufflinks as well, they’re the hallmark of British design excellence.

Simon Carter Designer Watches, timeless pieces, keeping perfect time

Simon Carter’s reputation stems from his revolutionary approach to cufflink design following his introductory men’s brooches, beginning in the mid to late 80’s. Some of his original designs are now vintage. Progressing to other popular men’s accessories like wallets, belts, ties and watches seemed like the natural thing to do. And Simon has left his impression on all. Now his Designer watches take centre stage, simple, functional, of classical form these timeless pieces keep perfect time and you don’t need a degree in mechanical engineering to operate their functions.

Made in Germany using Swiss or Japanese movements you get double the precision and structural integrity. Germans, Japanese and Swiss are renowned for their engineering prowess and so you’re assured of quality and longevity. The styles revolve around classic forms complimented by modern technology. Some styles have quartz.

A favourite is the classically formed WT815W, handsome and very functional. Simon Carter maintains a philosophy of simplicity in this watch, it simply keeps good time: Square stainless steel case and square face, silver sunray dial with Arabic numerals, date window, sweeping seconds hand. The croc leather strap not only firms the watch to wrist, it gleans a touch of elegance and frames perfectly an object of time. This lovely display of style and engineering will harmonise with any outfit, formal or casual, here an important function inherent in Simon’s philosophy of simplicity, a watch for all occasions.

As “retro” trends widen to engulf all forms of fashion accessories, watches by Simon Carter fit the trend and remain true to good form and function. They’re second in popularity to his cufflinks and the range is comprehensive enough to make it easy to select a style.

Going back to Carter’s beginning, when he sold men’s brooches, a trend which is set for revival. Already Vivienne Westwood and other notable brands have a small selection in their seasonal collections. There are few ways a man can express himself without being negatively labelled, basically we’re restricted to silk ties and cufflinks. Brooches seem a natural progression upwards, sitting on jacket lapel, they could replicate cufflinks and compliment the tie you’re wearing and not look out of place. It would conclude an already comprehensive lifestyle range of accessories. The materials at designer’s hands await its master’s inspiration to transform metal, glass and stones into vibrant artistic form ready for displaying. Perhaps we can encourage Simon Carter to rekindle.

His revolutionary beginnings gave him solid grounding, and gave way to a more sensible approach. Now he need not make such a splash. Simon has garnered much respect from industry members and consumers. His sound reputation supports his entry into other market areas successfully. The products speak for themselves.

And so completes the lifestyle range, you can own a set of accessories that perform a function or simply used to express yourself, and all affordable.