Simon Carter is considered one of Britain’s premier men’s fashion accessories designers. He holds his position steady in an increasingly competitive market, which was, until recently, undersupplied. Things have certainly changed, now us chaps are getting the choice and variety we demand, new, exciting and refreshing cufflink designs that we actually want to wear.

simon carter Has enjoyed a steady stream of success with his distinctive styling and continues to anticipate consumer demands, which is part and parcel of maintaining his reputation as a premier British fashion designer. In the 80’s and 90’s he introduced fresh and exciting designs that revolutionised the men’s accessories market, which had long been stagnant.

His company began selling pewter brooches for men but really found its niche when it began selling cufflinks. He combined in his designs semi precious stones, complimented by other organic materials like Paua shell from the far away shores of New Zealand. Symmetrically divided by thin strips of metal they resemble art deco architectural embellishments, while other designs maintain more simple form using cat’s eye in subtle pastel colours of blues and pinks.

In the mid-1990s the company opened its own showroom and shop in London’s West End. International sales also began to take off, with agents appointed to sell Simon Carter products in the U.S., Canada, Japan and Australia. Today, the accessories (which include watches, cufflinks, ties, luggage, small leather goods and pens) are carried in some of the most exclusive department stores and independent retailers in 35 countries around the world, including Selfridges, House of Fraser, John Lewis, Takashimaya, Bloomingdales and David Jones.

Early 2002 saw Simon Carter branch out to include a menswear line. From the start, the range proved very popular and the collection is now stocked in House of Fraser, Selfridges, Moss Bros, Fenwicks, Brown Thomas (Ireland), GB Place (Japan) and David Jones (Australia).

Dressing The West Ham Football team and actor Will Smith propelled him onto the intentional stage. Other windows of opportunity opened more recently when, Simon Carter signed a clothing and franchise agreement for Japan with Japanese company, BBS. The five year deal covers designing, manufacturing and distribution of a clothing range in Japan and the opening of stand-alone stores in Tokyo and Osaka.

Simon’s boldness in the face of conservatism has been the hallmark of his success. He took notice of customers’ demands and responded accordingly. Subsequently, of course, he enjoys strong sales and continuing growth. Fortunately he is not alone, Simon is complimented by other well known English brand names like Paul Smith, Ian Flaherty, Fred Bennett, Duchamp, Babbette Wasserman and many more who provide healthy competition, plus the choice and variety that has been lacking for so many years.

It’s well documented that in 1880, the rowing club at Oxford University’s Exeter College, invented the first school tie. After an emotional win over their rivals, they celebrated by removing their ribbon hat bands from their boater hats and tying them, four-in-hand around their necks. When they ordered a set of ties, with the colours from their hatbands, they had accidentally created the modern school tie. Schools, clubs, and athletic ties appeared in abundance. Some schools had different ties for various grades, levels of achievement, and for graduates. Thanks to historians and their method of accurate documentation all the original college colours are still available from archived samples and replicate ties can be made to order.

The four in hand knot used to tie their hat ribbons, which later became one of the most popular ways to tie a tie has its own unique origin. Coachman who lead a team of two horses en route would take the four reins, two for each horse, and tie them in particular fashion across their hand , thus four reins in hand, or, four in hand. Later the knot and the phrase the coachman used were adapted to neckwear. Two unrelated occurrences made contribution to a style that survives in tact to this day. And interestingly both working class and upper class made equal contribution, the coachman’s phrase and the university student boating hat band.

Let’s not leave Cambridge University out of the race; they also played a part in establishing an everlasting style, albeit forty five years after the first Oxford school tie. A Cricket Club, founded by a group of Cambridge University students in 1845 is believed to have created the first sporting colours. They designed a flag of black, bright, orange-red, and gold, symbolizing “out of darkness, through fire, into light.” Blazers, caps, and ties were eventually created in these colours.

It took another one hundred and twenty years before the tie saw any significant change. In the 1920’s a pioneering Paris fashion designer Jean Patou invented the designer tie. He made silk ties from women’s clothing material. Targeted towards women purchasers, his expensive ties were highly successful. In fact in America three out of four ties are bought buy women.

Jesse Langsdorf an American tailor discovered that by cutting the tie on the bias of the cloth, the tie would be much more resilient and long- wearing. Cut slightly off bias, the tie would pull off-centre and fall crookedly, but if cut at exactly 45 degrees, the aprons of the tie would drape elegantly, straight down from the knot. He also constructed his ties using three different pieces of silk (the blade, the gusset and the under end) sewn together. He patented his idea and sold it to the world.

Throughout the ages the striped tie has remained a favourite style of men who don’t want to step outside a conventional framework. Didn’t some one once say “style is constant, fashion comes and goes”?

So maybe the next time you knot your favourite striped tie four in hand around your neck, you’ll appreciate its colourful history. A word of warning, when tieing the knot, don’t’ think too hard about the coachman pulling tight on the reins, four in hand, you might choke yourself.

Here you will find some fascinating historic fashion anecdotes feel free to browse. Here you will find unique collection of fashion accessories presented for your pleasure and convenience.