Friday 31 December 2010

...& Happy New Year!

"Be daring, be different, be impractical, be anything that will assert integrity of purpose and imaginative vision against the play-it-safers, the creatures of the commonplace, the slaves of the ordinary."

Not sure these words by Cecil Beaton are always easy to live by, but they certainly help to motivate!

Best wishes for a wonderful 2011...


Thursday 23 December 2010

Merry Christmas from Marwood

WISHING YOU ALL A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY, HEALTHY AND EXCITING NEW YEAR.

LOOKING FORWARD TO SHOWING YOU MARWOOD'S DEBUT TIE COLLECTION IN JANUARY 2011.

THANKS, AS ALWAYS, FOR SHOWING YOUR INTEREST AND SUPPORT.



Thursday 16 December 2010

Photographing Ties

There are so many ways to photograph a tie and make it look interesting. Shooting Marwood ties is proving to be an experiment and this screen-grab of a selection of photos of cables by Julien Bornet is the inspiration for them. Looking forward to showing you the finished website with photo-shoot in January.

Tuesday 14 December 2010

Across the Pond...

American prep style by Rhett.
Certainly not stuffy and great combos.



Monday 13 December 2010

Details, Details.

But it's just a tie isn't it?

That is the common sentiment that arises when discussing this product. Why ties? Why this one product? Do you do anything else? Not right now we don't, no.

The best thing about starting Marwood has been the exploration of one product and delving in to the details of this accessory and learning about its components, its uses and its meanings.

The factory visits have been eye-opening. Today during a phone conversation with Chris, an important contributor in the development stage between Marwood and the factory, we reflected on the last couple of months. We discussed the things that have gone wrong, the lessons learnt for next time and how there are so many choices for such a seemingly simple object. Attention to minute measurements, various lining qualities, width, length, finishing, pressing. It is not that this is any different to any other item of clothing but it is interestingly complex compared to the object's exterior image. A tie is a commonplace object with commonplace connotations and it is not appreciated as more than that for those reasons. Also, it is an object that can be visually achieved so quickly and cheaply, although those imitations won't have the lasting quality of a hand finished, English woven and made product with years of expertise behind it in the make.

Anyway, Marwood has become quite fond of this strange object. We want the design subtleties we have learnt to stay with us as this journey continues.

Saturday 11 December 2010

Patti's Tie



An iconic accessory for Patti

Thursday 9 December 2010

Wednesday 8 December 2010

Product Support

Concorde memorabilia packaging, Britain. 2003
Photographer: Peter Marlow.
Maintaining the form of the product

Tuesday 7 December 2010

Rodchenko's Perspective

Two years ago The Hayward in London showcased an inspirational collection of photographs by Alexander Rodchenko. After sifting through old research and finding some copies of his pictures, they seem relevant once again. His point of view certainly is...

"In order to educate man to a new longing, everyday familiar objects must be shown to him with totally unexpected perspectives, and in unexpected situations."

Previously unseen photographs by Russian artist Alexander Rodchenko, held in private hands until now, will be unveiled at newly branded Art Sensus on 21 January 2011 - http://www.artsensus.com/

Sunday 5 December 2010

White

A couple of old research pages out of the box and on to the blog...



Styling ideas are currently on the mind and nothing quite beats a white shirt for the perfect base for a tie. The recent snow fall created a wonderful serene image out of the most concrete of locations. A cunning reminder of a tone that works for all, just as an accessory can do.

Thursday 2 December 2010

Handcrafted: A Glimpse Behind the Scenes.


Last week we visited our factory in Kent, England. Photographer, Callum Toy, came along to record the various stages of making the Marwood necktie. The process is thorough, efficient and obviously well practiced and the team behind the scenes of this handmade product are professional and highly skilled as well as warm, friendly and welcoming.

Working with a factory is very inspiring. It always offers new ways of thinking and approaching a product when you are given the reasons why something is done. Traditional methods are passed on and continued for a reason - they work - but it is an enjoyable part of the design process to apply these methods in unusual ways whether that be fabrication, proportion or cut.

New variations and combinations of a traditional formula is something we will continue to explore at Marwood.



A small selection of the photos for now. More to follow soon with a close up viewpoint of 'the making of'...