Fine Art Neckties For Art Collectors And....

The Persistence of Memory 1931 Salvador Dali

Neck ties, “satisfy modern man’s desire to dress in art,” American magician and actor Harry Andersen

Art – art neckties; what fun. It is the emotions that we draw from artworks that make us enjoy them. After painting a Campbell’s soup can, Andy Warhol said that “anything could be sold as art,” so why not a necktie? After all for a man, beyond sophistication, wearing a necktie is a form of artistic expression. Then if a necktie actually is an art tie, the statement by Harry Andersen takes on a great weight.

Salvador Dali

Salvador Dali stunned the art world by creating neckties that were actual reproductions of his original art works called “Dali Ties.” Born in Spain in 1904 his works display a vivid passion of abstract and obscure subjects and vistas. His art was unique, both in style and manner, often in a display of color that seemed to cast a spell at first sight. He wanted his art to be appreciated by everyone, not just wealthy people who could afford his paintings and lithographs in posh galleries so neck wear was the perfect venue. It may have been the prelude to what became a marketing gold mine in branded apparel.  Dali's art work on ties advertised his creativity to the world profoundly at eye level worn by the man on the street just like Nike and other sports apparel or "chic" apparel like Tommy Hilfiger realize the same benefit for branded apparel today. Dali’s surrealism fine art ties could be purchased in men’s boutiques along Manhattan’s 5th Avenue and much of the world while his “art” hung in prestigious art galleries and the Museum of Modern Art in New York City. It was sheer genius.   Visit the Salvador Dali Museum

Dali Ties

In more recent times, Peter Max created art necktie collections of his colorful motifs in his trademark psychedelic 60’s style. He oversaw every detail of the line commanding and approving the designs, colors, fabrication, and even the fabric which was finest Italian silk available. He was completely thorough in this down to the point of purchase where he had to approve which retailers could offer his art neckties, and at what price - being thoughtful to protect the neckwear’s value, his name and his art.  Environmentalist and artist Christian Lassen who lives in Hawaii licensed his illustrations to Ralph Marlin which created art ties with a very unique look at sea life, dolphins and underwater scenes. The trend had given way to another nature theme,

Starry Night by Vincent Van Gogh

Van Gogh Fine Art Tie Starry Night

Endangered Species neckties  naturally became collector items instantly. They were produced in silk with the care of fine apparel craftsmen illustrating a conservation movement that was attractive enticing some men to wear only that necktie as if a man were to adorn only Armani. However, not what one would consider high fashion, none-the-less, it was an absolute signature in dress. The collection of wildlife themed neckties by Wemco, and later Randa illustrated wildlife in great detailed art works by the Greenwich Workshop that were produced in limited editions as if they were lithograph prints.
 

Claude Monet Fine Art Tie

Gustav Klimt Fine Art Necktie

There are "master artist” collections; Van Gogh, Monet, Lautrec, D’Vinci, Picasso, Fornasetti, Erte, and even an artist that had hardly become of age prior to his death Kieth Harring; all following the path of Dali. Most of these neckties are cut and sewn in limited productions enhancing their value just like a lithograph or numbered and signed print. Before his death and even more popular after, as usual with art, the famed rock and roller Jerry Garcia, an accomplished artist as well as musician had his work transformed into artist neckties first by Stonehenge, then Mulberry and now with an even greater display of color and form by Van Heusen – Superba. Affectionately called, Jerry Garcia “Art in Neck wear,” rebels who would not usually wear at tie could show their spirit, and professionals who dared to be non conservative, became hooked. The designs were wonderful transformations of Garcia’s art that were numbered in edition by collection and bared the name of the original artwork. It is no wonder even after his death his neck wear continues to be a driving force in men’s fashion. A true artist’s work will never die.

Van Gogh Fine Art Necktie

Salvador Dali Art Necktie

The commercial approach to this fashion accessory is twofold; Usually adapting art by the masters or "dead artists" traditional necktie manufacturing by either silk screening or dye supplementation illustrates fine art masterpieces on ties produced in quantity, and “living artists” art neckties individually created one at a time – often hand painted as one of kind wearable art works.

The traditional method: Masterpiece art as actual reproductions into fine art neckties (like lithographs or poster art ) by Van Gogh, Lautrec, Monet, Klimt, D’Vinci and other masters have been produced for over twenty years by Ralph Marlin into a timeless collection of art gallery neck wear in both poly and silk. Fine art tie collections illustrating modern master artists like Picasso and Erte that command royalties and licensing were very successful produced in limited editions.  In Paris, Axios creates a similar impressionism art tie collection in silk including Chagall, and Cezanne which at first were only available in Paris making them a real sought after item beyond the usual tourist souvenir.

The non traditional method: This method has been around for a while and pre-dates modern necktie manufacturing. Unique and original art produced on neckties just as actual art is created had been quite popular affording individual and custom fashion ties.  In the 1930's a retail company called Besley’s with three retail stores in downtown Chicago, made its reputation by importing hundreds of yards of printed Italian silk, then making ties, pocket squares and jacket linings for loyal customers who wouldn't buy a suit without first making sure they had a Besley’s tie to match! Robert Daskal bought the original Besleys in the early 1980's. The company had always maintained the capability of hand painting silk, as they produced many in the 30's and 40's when hand painted silk neck wear was extremely popular. In 1988 Daskal was prompted to create a line on hand painted neck wear by a leading retailer. Soon he was creating 4 new collections of hand painted neckties a year for stores like Marshall Fields, Nordstrom, Saks and Neiman Marcus. Original art ties, silk screened, airbrushed, acrylic, oils, pen and ink neckties at county fairs and art fairs all equate the same desire; a true form of fashion expression.



Hand Painted Art Neckties by Robert Daskal

Further Examples of hand painted art tie collections can be seen at

Robert Daskal Hand Painted Silk Ties     Silk From The Hartz    Art & Soul Hand Painted Neckties

A popular trend yes, however this is not an original fashion concept, art on apparel is an old fashion enterprise that has evolved into a great form of expression. Fashion is a direct influence of art and the reflection of styles that relate all of us. A man wearing a tie illustrating a priceless artwork is certainly a show of personality, character and style. A recent purchase at Nice Tie Store www.nicetiestore.com for a wedding, “a blue tie, but not just blue – Starry Nights and silk please,” the groom’s desire to “rule bend” the traditional formal solid color satin silk tie. And then the is dual form of expression and suggestion, the art gallery consultant who wears a Van Gogh Starry Nights or Money Water Lilies necktie so he can sell more art but he also keeps ordering more for his clients as gifts or perks to up-sell another painting or print.  Looking distinguished and at the same time advertising art has great advantages for a man trying to be a salesman and an art consultant at the same time.

In 2009, despite the cautious manner of retail and apparel in the recession, a rather odd thing that happened on the fashion world and neckties which was carefully crafted by Christian Aguilar a marketing wizard. Clothing, sunglasses, sneakers and ties of course illustrating tattoo art by San Francisco artist Ed Hardy became very popular proving that although there was a recession a fresh idea could still spark interest and profit.  The success of this line of neck wear proves art neckties are as popular as ever
 

Mona Lisa Smile

Several years ago I designed ties for a popular restaurant in San Francisco called the Mona Lisa on Columbus. You guessed it, the waiters and waitresses wear a Mona Lisa tie including a Christmas version of Leonardo D’Vinci’s popular smiling Mona. The painting by D’Vinci is perhaps the greatest painting ever and certainly the most appreciated, world over. Of course they sell the Mona Lisa neckties too, as a souvenir, or more likely than not, as a collector item. Thanks to the innovations of necktie designers and especially to Salvador Dali, art is now something that can be collected as a necktie or in a frame.

A post on our blog The Genius of Piero Fornasetti Art Necktie Post

Salvado Dali Art Gallery

Check out our recent post Mona Lisa ties

Salvador Dali ties at Collections at Kollectors of Nasty Old Ties (K.N.O.T.) - for enthusiasts of vintage neckwear.

Salvador Dali on Wikipedia

Visit Nice Tie Store to view our fine art necktie collection

Andy Rooney, To Tie Or Not To Tie

I found this really fun article by C.B.S. 60 Minutes.  Andy Rooney's sarcastic and clever style makes the confusion of wearing tie or not very amusing - Jeffrey Hunter 

Why Andy Likes Ties

CBS) A weekly commentary by CBS News Correspondent Andy Rooney. It originally aired on May 4, 2003.

Andy Rooney takes a look at how men wear (or don't wear) ties, coats, and jackets, and tells us what he likes best about wearing a tie.

view the video - Why Andy Likes Ties



A while ago I talked about fashion and I had a copy of Town & Country Magazine with an ad for a man's suit that sold for $2,400. I said I might buy this.

The editor, Pamela Fiori, sent me a picture of me in the suit. I never looked better. I've paid about $2,400 for my suits over the past fifty years. That's 24 suits at $100 each.

Men's fashions have changed as much as women's. For instance, men aren't wearing neckties as much as they used to. Most of the men you see on the street don't have one on.I usually wear a necktie even though I think it's sort of silly to tie a colored cloth around your neck. If he doesn't wear a tie, a man leaves the top button of his shirt undone. The trouble with that is then his underwear shows. A well-dressed woman wouldn't go around like this with her underwear showing.

If a man wears a necktie, it's usual for him to wear a jacket. Some men, though, wear a tie and no jacket.  few wear a jacket and no tie.  Most men don't wear a jacket or a tie.   When you see two men together, either neither is wearing a tie, or they're both wearing a tie.  Birds of a feather flock together. It probably has to do with whether the boss wears one.

A man who wears a coat is more apt to wear a necktie. A strange thing though, a lot of men who wear a coat don't wear it. They take it off and carry it.  Some of the old traditions are gone. White-collar workers often wear blue collars. Blue-collar workers often wear white.  It seems likely that men who wear ties make more money than men who do not. But it's hard to say whether ties make them successful, or whether they start wearing ties after they are successful.  Men on the street wearing neckties carry a briefcase, or important papers very often.

The tie clip business is even slower than the necktie business. You seldom see a man wearing one. They prefer to have their neckties flapping in the breeze. Men with tie clips often wear folded handkerchiefs in their breast pocket.   Suspenders are also a thing of the past, except for Larry King. Although I've seen a guy with suspenders, but no shirt, coat or necktie.  One reason for wearing a necktie doesn't have anything to do with how it looks. 

But when you get home at night it feels so good to loosen it.

check out our ties

Death of the Necktie

Hold onto the eulogy - ties are not going to die anytime soon. There is still a great demand for neckties and in the last two years the necktie has seen a resurgence in men's fashion - Jeffrey Hunter

On June 14th 2008 USA Today did a story about the necktie and whether or not ties were headed to oblivion. The acceptance of casual dress has caused the necktie industry to take a severe blow - at somewhere around 20% from the peak in sales of ties in the beginning of the 70's when 200 million to 250 million ties were sold each year. With the market shrinking and the recession taking a toll on consumer spending many manufacturers have shut the doors or at the very least cut back on operations. Unique and specialty ties have been discontinued from 2000 and over the last five years or so some necktie icons like Tabasco, Endangered Species, Looney Tunes, and much of the Ralph Marlin line of novelty ties have seen their end. However men still wear ties and there is a niche market now for special novelty neckties, especially on-line.

Here are segments of the USA Today piece if you missed it: 

The necktie, knot what it used to be, still hangs on

.......Predictions of the necktie's demise have been circulating for years. In the mid-1990s, designer Gianni Versace offered his vision of male fashion in a coffee-table book titled "Men Without Ties," a sure sign of where things were headed. A bronzed Adonis dashed across its cover dressed in nothing but a few ties, lashed loosely around his waist.


The burgeoning popularity of casual Fridays turned khakis and open collar-shirts into suitable wear for workplaces previously better suited to suits. The dot-com boom filled thousands of instant offices with laid-back twentysomethings who saw no point in lashing something tight around their necks.

But rumors of the tie's death are roughly equivalent to the longtime predictions that the computer would soon turn society paperless. There's a lot of truth to the prognostication, but somehow it hasn't quite turned out that way.

Clearly, the tie business is nothing like the old days. In the early 1970s, when sales peaked, manufacturers sold between 200 million and 250 million ties a year in the U.S. Today annual sales have dropped to about 50 million, according to Lee Terrill, president of the neckwear division of Phillips-Van Heusen Corp., the nation's largest tie maker.

A Gallup poll last year found just 6% of men wearing neckties to work each day, down from 10% in 2002. More than two-thirds of the men surveyed said they never wear a tie to work, up from 59% five years earlier.  But the necktie still has its defenders and devotees, men who invest the kind of affection in their ties that a golf shirt will probably never know.

"A lot of people call me the Tie Guy," says Bob Smith, the outgoing provost and vice chancellor of academic affairs at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, Ark.  Smith has a collection of more than 400 ties in his closets. They are vital accessories in a job requiring him to deliver many speeches and presentations — more than 700 in the past eight years. Every Smith speech is punctuated with a tie themed to the subject.  A tie with a giraffe on it for a speech about the qualities that make a good supervisor, one who is able to raise his head above the fracas to see the landscape clearly. Another featuring a painting by Charles Rennie Mackintosh of a rose inside a teardrop that he saves for delivering eulogies.

"When I walk into a room, they'll look at my necktie, they'll actually pick it up when I walk in, and say 'Oh, what are you going to talk about today? and I'll say, 'Oh, wait and see.' It actually creates a sense of mystery," Smith says.  Smith's collection, though, pales compared to the more than 1,000 ties owned by Richard Arutunian, a retired Southern California neckwear manufacturer.   Arutunian rejects this talk that the tie has come undone. A tie is singularly irreplaceable, he says, uniquely capable of sending a message about its wearer to women and to his fellow men.  "To me it tells more about the person than even the shoe does," says Arutunian, who long served as official tie historian for the neckwear industry association's predecessor. "Is he trying to impress me? Is he wearing a tie because he has to wear that tie? How is he tying that knot?"

Wearing cloth around the neck stretches back a long way. Some trace the modern tie to the early 1600s when Croatian fighters looped fabric around their necks before battle, captivating the public's imagination. 

Hard to believe, but for most of history men were the peacocks of the fashion world, and that included draping their necks in all sorts of status symbols, from waterfall cloths to cravats, says Paula Baxter, who curated an exhibit that closed last year at the New York Public Library on the rakish history of men's wear.  "Even the Puritans. They would wear lace collars," she says.

The era of the male dandy ended in the late 19th century, when the uniformity of the tailored suit took over. In the early 1920s, neckwear makers began cutting cloth on the bias — diagonally, at an angle to the weave — and the modern tie was born. It found a welcome home on the necks of the expanding ranks of white-collar workers.  By the 1960s, 600 companies made ties in the U.S., mostly smaller, regional manufacturers. They banded together in a professional association that lobbied on their behalf.

Those days are long past.

"The number you have dialed is not in service at this time," a recording greeted callers to the New York offices of the Dress Furnishings Association this week. "Please check the area code and number and dial your call again."  Don't bother.

Today there are only about two dozen companies making ties in the U.S., and the business is dominated by huge firms. Many of the ties American men wear are made overseas. It didn't seem to make any sense to keep running an association built for an industry so fundamentally different from what it used to be, says Terrill, the neckwear business executive and a member of the association's board.  "We didn't think anybody would notice," he says, of the decision to close.  Instead, the association's closure has been greeted as confirmation that the tie is done. 
The suggestion alarms Terrill, who says that sales have steadied and ties are poised to make a modest comeback. 

There are still a few islands of tie-wearers. Lawyers and folks in finance and insurance work in offices where suits and tie remain the badges of professionalism.  "When you wear a tie it still says ... you're dressed for the occasion," says Amy Klaris, a retail strategist at consulting firm Kurt Salmon Associates.  Today, with the economy softening, men need to market themselves and a big part of that is the way they dress. That will send the pendulum swinging, albeit subtly, back to the suit and tie, Terrill says.

In the past 10 or 15 years, as dress codes loosened, men who'd always worn ties "were making a statement. I'm not going to wear a tie because I don't have to wear a tie," Terrill says. "But now so many people don't wear a tie, that it's a statement to wear one."

read the entire story USA TODAY

check out Nice Tie Store's necktie collection

A few related posts

Men In Ties

I Love Ties

Men in Ties

Notes in the Key of Life From the Archives: Men in Ties by Cindy Swanson
Sunday, February 06, 2011


Ben Affleck wearing a black suit and 
charcoal tie

I found this blog post today which interestingly enough continues from an earlier post that concerned necktie popularity as reported in USA Today about two and a half years ago. Revisiting this question is a means of understanding if ties are becoming less popular or regained the attraction this fashion accessory once commanded. I am planning a similar study of this issue that actually has great emotion attached. Some men actually hate ties as if they were a threat to their freedom of personality. You may want to check out a post I made nearly ten months ago called “I love ties” check it out  - which started out as a response to a blog post I found called “die necktie die.”

The study that I plan to execute on line and in a multiple choice questionnaire will be affectionately called TIE WARS - Jeffrey Hunter

Delving into the archives for a story about whether men's ties are disappearing off the scene. How about you? Do you like to see men in ties? Are you a man who hates/loves them?


Cary Grant

On June 17, 2008, USA Today ran an article questioning whether men's ties were disappearing off the scene. Over two years later, ties are still going strong, and men are still looking great in them! Following is my original post: The USA Today article - find it here  “The necktie, knot what it used to be, still hangs on”

Are neckties going the way of the buffalo?

Photos of some popular movie stars wearing ties that surely set trends in men's fashion. 

Russel Crowe

After Father's Day-the day probably most associated with the giving of ties, save as Christmas presents - USA Today questions whether the necktie will "hang on" much longer.  The story reports that "the recent decision by the Men's Dress Furnishings Association--the trade group for America's neckwear makers--to shut down has some folks tied up in knots."

Admittedly, we're living in the day of Casual Friday....and Monday...and Tuesday...etc. The tie is not the icon it used to be. The story cites a Gallup poll that found just 6 per cent of men wearing neckties to work each day, down from10 percent in 2002. More than two-thirds of the men surveyed said they never wear a tie to work.

Robert Redford

However, there are still men who enjoy dressing up and looking sharp. "When you wear a tie it still says ... you're dressed for the occasion," the story quotes Amy Klaris, a retail  strategist at consulting firm Kurt Salmon Associates.

I can sympathize with men who think a tie feels like a noose around their neck. I don't know if I would enjoy wearing one all the time, just as, being a woman, I wouldn't want to have to wear high-heeled shoes all the time. However, I do think my husband looks gorgeous when he's dressed up in a suit and tie...and I would hate to see the necktie die out completely.


Daniel Craig

When I originally posted this story, I got some great comments from readers. Here are a few:

Kay: I love to see a man dressed up! But I have often wondered who first decided to tie a piece of fabric around their neck and call it fashionable... It is a strange practice, really.

Joel: I personally think neckties were designed by Torquemada.Another problem I have. My neck is too large for the size shirt I wear. If I get a shirt with a large enough neck, the sleeves are too long. They used to have extenders for necks, but they're increasingly hard to find.  So I either wear turtlenecks or just an open shirt. I'll wear a tie to a funeral, but that's about it.

Randy (a former co-worker of mine): I will always believe in ties. Even when one of our co-workers at the station begged us all to go to tieless attire, I still wore one a lot. Maybe you remember that. I still believe that a tie is a standard of professional dress and should be. Sure, I did tire at times of them, but if a man wears the proper neck size shirt, you can get used to the tie. However, I come from the old school of thought.

Ann-Marie: Josh Holloway would look good in a suit made out of garbage. But he looks extra yummy in a tie. (and no garbage)

Lea: I love a man in a tie, especially mine and thank goodness, he is still very much a believer in the tie. Such a professional and polished look! Love it!

So, how do YOU feel about men in ties? I'd love to get some more great comments! What do you think? Please post below - Cindy
 
Notes In The Key Of Life - Cindy's Blog


Men in ties at Nice tie Store

Losing Your Job By Wearing A Tie

This poor guy got fired because he wore the wrong necktie.  He is a Green Bay Packers fan so he naturally wore one of his Green Bay Packers neckties.  He should hire a lawyer and sue.  The site that has this article is on is pro Chicago so this piece is slanted - Jeffrey Hunter

January 26, 2011 - Chicago area car salesman loses his job because he wore a Green Bay Packers tie. - by Jeff C.

Pictured above, wearing a rather unfashionable Green Bay Packers necktie, is John Stone, a car salesman at Webb Chevrolet in Oak Lawn. Rather, Stone is a former employee of Webb Chevrolet, after being unceremoniously fired for wearing that same tie to work on Monday, a day after the Packers beat the Bears in the NFC Championship.

Stone donned the Packers tie to honor his late grandmother, a huge Green fan who died a mere two days before the championship game, and to show off his team pride following their win. The 34-year-old says he’s been a fan of the team since he first saw former RB Ahman Green suit up for the Pack.

Stone’s boss, general manager Jerry Roberts, didn’t think the tie was appropriate attire for a dealership that spends $20,000 a month on advertising with the Bears, adding that by wearing the tie, his former employee was “salting the wounds” of the Chicago defeat.

When asked if Stone was fired because of his Packers necktie, Roberts answered “correct.”

According to Stone, no customer had complained about the supposedly offensive apparel, a claim which Roberts backs up. Still, at 10:30 a.m. Roberts told Stone to remove the tie, a request that Stone initially thought was a joke…right up until he got canned for refusing to take it off.

“He said, ‘You have two options,’ ” a furious Stone said later Monday. “Remove the tie, or you’re fired.”

“When I didn’t, he said, ‘You can leave, you’re fired.’ Does that sound fair to you?”

Stone had been employed at the dealership for 1 1/2 months, and according to Roberts, the Packers fan was a damn good salesman, having sold 14 cars the previous month. Roberts also said that he gave Stone five chances to remove the tie, but refused every time.

“If he loves the tie more than his job, he’s welcome to keep wearing it — elsewhere,” Roberts said.

Here’s my take on the whole thing—was the general manager being a tad petty in firing a guy for wearing a tie of your team’s arch-rival? Yes.

Was he well within his rights to do it? Yes.  Should Stone have removed the tie after being threatened with termination? Absolutely.

Most jobs have a probationary period, usually three months, sometimes more, sometimes less. It’s not unfathomable to think that Stone was still under this probationary period, so if your boss says take off your tie, you do it. What you don’t do is risk your livelihood, especially when you’ve got two kids at home, over a stupid tie. We get it Stone—you love your team. Now lose the tie and sell some friggin’ cars.

That being said, the general manager of the dealership was, as I said, being a bit dickish in firing the guy for this. The proper thing for both parties would be for Stone to apologize for wearing the Packers tie, promise not to wear it during football season, and for Roberts to give the man his job back. That would be the logical and adult thing to do, don’t you think?

Then again, these are Bears and Packers fans we’re talking about here—logic and reason isn’t in their vocabulary.

UPDATE: Stone has been offered another job, a day after losing his sales job at Webb Chevrolet for wearing a Packers necktie. Guy Cesario, general manager of Chevrolet of Homewood, offered the 34-year-old Stone a job at his dealership while watching Stone being interviewed on WGN. All is right in the world.

checkout our sports neckties


Poor guy wore the wrong tie to work click for the full story and video at

ABC News video - Man fired for wearing a Green Bay Packers tie

John Lennon Ties - Collector Items



John Lennon

"Imagine all the people" John Lennon ties

Neckties that illustrate artwork and themes from the Beatles legendary co-front man John Lennon were produced by Lennon’s wife Yoko Ono in 2008. She licensed an American clothing brand to use her late husband’s art on a brand new line of neckties. Eight different ties were designed by the Ralph Marlin Company, each adorned with Lennon’s own paintings. Beatles ties were very popular in the 90’s featuring many of their songs and lyrics highlighting wonderful graphics and art made by the Manhattan Men's Group. Ralph Marlin produced a line of Beatles neckties also in the 90’s that included art work and graphics from the Yellow Submarine movie, album covers, graphic illustrations and photos that became a great novelty fashion accessory success.  No doubt, John Lennon ties will be collector items.

Our prior Beatles Ties post

The Beatles









Along with fellow Beatle Paul McCartney, he formed one of the most successful music groups of the 20th century. Rolling Stone magazine boldly ranked Lennon the 5th greatest singer of all time. With McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Star the Beatles became a sensation that at first started in the UK in Liverpool. Their performance on the Ed Sullivan Show in February of 1964 marked the beginning of their intense International stardom.

Anthology tie

John Lennon’s creativity, inspirational lyrics and his charisma seemed to capture fans from the early 60;’s when Beatle Mania first took off. After the breakup of the Beatles in 1970 he continued to write songs and produce music that mesmerized people young and old across the world. In 1971 Lennon and Ono moved to New York City he and Ono. His rebellious ways and his anti Vietnam stance caused President Richard Nixon to have him investigated by the FBI which resulted in several attempts to have him deported. His music and lyrics became rallying themes for the anti war movement in the USA. On Dec 8th 1980, three weeks after he released Double Fantasy he was murdered in front of his home, the Dakota on the upper west side in Manhattan at just 40 years old.


John Lennon Neckties

John Lennon’s name, his music and artwork is not the first to be used on a line musician theme ties. Elton John ties, also illustrating lyrics and song themed artwork, were produced by Castle Neck wear in the mid 90’s which were produced as limited editions becoming collector items quickly. Carlos Santana also had his name and creativity capitalized into rock and roll theme neckties which were illustrated in a colorful and bold collection.  They were produced as a limited edition and quickly became collector items.  The most successful of all musician theme or even Hollywood star theme ties is Jerry Garcia “art In Neck Wear.” In 1992 Garcia ties were introduced by Stonehenge which became an instant phenomenon with professionals and men who could wear a necktie and still be a rebel. A line of neck wear called Grateful Dead was also produced at the same time by Mulberry Neck Wear which eventually produced the signature Jerry Garcia tie. Today Garcia neckties are made by Superba which will soon mark the 20 year anniversary of Jerry Garcia ties.  It is the same guy that loves Jerry Garcia ties that will also love John Lennon ties.



Beatle Mania hits the USA

Rock and roll ties illustrating Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, AC DC, The Rolling Stones, Kiss, Jimmy Hendrix, Bob Marley and Elvis Presley have also been very popular with men who grew up in the 70’sd and 80’s. These Rock music legend ties did not always illustrate artwork inspired by the musicians themselves however did illustrate album covers and photographs or graphic designs.

check out our rock and roll legend ties

John Lennon - Wikkipedia, the encyclopedia of the Internet

Beatles Fans Blog Site

A Robot That Ties Neckties

  We Have Truly Reached
 the Modern Age


 Why Knot? - A kinetic sculpture
  by Seth Goldstein

  As if this was another cool Jetsons gaget
  this tie tying scuptuire really works, now if I
  can just find a can opener that works I would
  be happy








Just when I thought that I would run out of cool stuff to blog post. A machine that ties a necktie - that's a whole new meaning to "not being afraid to tie a noose around your neck every morning."

Some of these people commenting on this unique You Tube Video actually may think that this machine was created to tie ties. Stranger things have happened.  A robot tying ties - I'm impressed but heck; I can do this one handed, in the dark, while driving, blind folded and in my sleep - just kidding about the sleeping. I love the robot and want to buy one - This thing may come in handy as a sales tool if nothing else, I sell neckties at www.nicetiestore.com as you probably already know.

Mr. Silver a Robotic Mime - click for the true story

Now concerning the Windsor Tie Knot?   With a little practice this robot can master it, along with some help from our easy to learn way to tie a Windsor Necktie found here.   

Here are some of the comments and because I cannot resist - also posted are some of my favorite robots.  At least two are wearing ties.   You guessed it, I found all of them on Google image search.  A few are from this site The 15 most power Sci-Fi Robots

An anime robot wearing Haute couture fashion and a necktie 

Gort From The Day The Earth Stood Still (1951)

The interesting comments make this an even better post to review: click here so see all of the comments

-    now i divorce my wife and buy this machine, it ties my necktie without nagging....

-    I didn't know that robots also wear ties

-    O MY GOD! THIS IS SKYNET!!!

-    What about Full Windsor ? ;)

-    I hate robots — but I love this.

-    nice one... this should be in a museum. raises some very interesting questions on modern society

-    Wow, the sheer number of people who think this machine was created because the artist NEEDED his ties tied is staggering. Our educational system is seriously failing.

-    wish i had this thing at intermediate school, it took me like four times as long to tie a necktie
-    I hate robots — but I love this.

The Day The Earth Stood Still

In the original film Gort stands 8 feet tall and is said to be a kind of Peace keeping robot for the universe. His distinct features are his height, his desire not to talk and his powerful laser beam that can vaporize anything it hits. He also came down to earth from a flying saucer and claims that he was given the power to destroy earth if he had to by his maker.   Gort remains motionless in front of the saucer, which rests on the National Mall in Central Washington D.C.

His famous line  "Kaatu barada nikto!", The phrase was never translated in the film and neither Edmund North nor 20th Century Fox ever released an official translation.





Robby The Robot – Forbbiden Planet (1956)

   The Forbbiden Planet

The classic robot, Robby was a hit when Forbidden Planet came out. He is the typical old school robot and has the ability to reconstruct anything that you insert inside him. He has artificial intelligence although it seems a bit weird how he thinks. Robby can talk although he really doesn’t have a mouth but a sort of organ that lights up whenever sound is produced.








HAL 9000 – Space Odyssey (1968)

       2001 - Space Odyssey

Its name stands for Heuristically programmed Algorithmic computer and is depicted by a type of camera or round light that can talk. HAL is an onboard computer, basically an artificial intelligence that played the villain in the Space Odyssey. He was built so well and programmed with human psyche that even he did not notice that he had acquired human flaws. He basically demonstrates an internal conflict between the desire to meet the objective and the desire to continue existing. Clearly this fictional character was put in place to depict how human beings also go through such internal battles. HAL basically malfunctioned because he could not properly decide if he should prioritize the mission or his own existence.

Sexy Cborg Babes

A Robot Off To The Office                             Optimus Prime                                     A Very Sexy Robot



Why Does Fred Flintstone Wear Neckties

A fashionable Fred Flintstone wearing his trademark necktie

"Yabba dabba doo!"

Fred Flintstone, always fashion conscience - naturally, his necktie is tied in a Windsor knot.   I was bored the other night and typed into Google search "Why does Fred Flintstone wear ties?"   I was surprised to find several Answers.com queries with the same question.  The answers were vague and more or less not serious so I decided to do a little homework on the subject, seriously!

First off Fred is a hard working blue collar worker who tends to be a loud mouth and often gets into trouble due his "off beat" personality. His character is modeled after Ralph Kramden of the 50's television show The Honeymooners, which may further explain the addition of the tie as a means of making Fred a bit more credible than a clown-like bumbling fool. Like Fred Flintstone Ralph Kramden is usually wearing a necktie.  As with Ralph in the Honeymooners, Fred Flintstone is a loving father, and husband, a good friend to Barney and generally a really nice guy. It could be to take the rough edges off of him his creators gave him his trademarked prehistoric fashioned necktie. His tie is always one solid color and has a rough unfinished look which lends itself to his other apparel. I searched Google images and only found one image of Fred without a necktie and always he had a symmetrical tie knot that looks like a Windsor.  I did find an image of Fred's boss wearing a tie and there were no images of Barney wearing neckties.

A very lovable guy for sure- its the ties he wears

Fred Flintstone the Cartoon Character

Frederick Joseph "Fred" Flintstone (aka Fred W. Flintstone) is the main character of the animated sitcom The Flintstones, which aired during prime-time on ABC during the original series' run from 1960-66. He is the husband of Wilma Flintstone and father of Pebbles Flintstone. His best friends are his next door neighbors, Barney and Betty Rubble, who have an adopted son named Bamm-Bamm.

Fred lives in the fictional prehistoric town of Bedrock, at 345 Cave Stone Road, a world where dinosaurs coexist with modernized barefoot cave people and the cave people enjoy "primitive" versions of modern conveniences such as telephones, automobiles, and washing machines. Fred Flintstone's catch phrase is "yabba dabba doo!" which is also heard at the beginning of the theme song of the television episodes and the movie'. Much like Ralph Kramden , Fred tends to be loud-mouthed, aggressive, and constantly scheming ways to improve his family's working class lot in life, often with unintended results. Archie Bunker of All in the Family; Archie Bunker's Place and George Jefferson of The Jefferson’s also have similar personalities based on Fred Flintstone.


Fred Flintstone and Barney Rubble

Fred is a typical blue-collar worker, who works as a "bronto crane operator" at Slate Rock and Gravel Company (also known as Rockhead and Quarry Cave Construction Company in the earliest episodes). However, when their children become teenagers, Fred and Barney join the Bedrock police force. Fred and Barney even coached two baseball teams as well.
read more -  further facts on Wikipedia - the encyclopedia of the web

A Big Break for Hanna Barbera

The Flintstones was the first, and the longest running, animated situation comedy shown in prime-time television. Premiering on ABC on 30 September 1960, it gained high ratings in its first season, thus establishing animation as a viable prime time format. Produced by Hanna-Barbera (Bill Hanna and Joe Barbera), The Flintstones was patterned after Jackie Gleason's The Honeymooners. Designed as a program for the entire family, the program did not appear as "children's television" until its rebroadcast by NBC in 1967. Its popularity with teenagers in its 8:30 P.M. Friday time slot, however, presaged the late 1960s move to animation as the preeminent format for children's programming.

Fred's boss

Fred and Wilma Flintstone and their best friends, Barney and Betty Rubble, live in the prehistoric city of Bedrock facing the problems of contemporary working-class life. After a day at the rock quarry, or from the ever hilarious adventures Fred and Barney arrive home from in a vehicle with stone wheels and a fringe on top. Their lives revolve around their home, friends, and leisure activities: a world of drive-ins, bowling, and their "Water Buffalo" lodge. A baby dinosaur and a saber tooth tiger replace the family dog and cat. In 1962 and 1963, Pebbles and Bamm Bamm appeared as the daughter and adopted son of the Flintstones and Rubbles respectively.


Ralph Kramden - Ed Norton with neckties

Aside from being the first animated series made for prime time, The Flintstones also broke new ground in that each episode contained only one story that lasted the full half hour. Until the 1960s, cartoons were generally only a few minutes long. Half-hour programs used three or four shorts (three- to four-minute cartoons) and a live "wrap-around," usually presented by a friendly "host," to complete the program. In another innovation, Hanna-Barbera produced The Flintstones using limited animation techniques.
read more here at the museum of broadcasting web site

The Flintstones check out the video clip

The Flintstones Theme check out this You Tube Clip

The Answer.com page along with my improvement to the vague answer

check out our cartoon neckties - we will soon be uploading some Flintstone ties

A note of interest:  I search for other cartoon characters wearing ties and found only one - Yogi Bear.  There were a few wearing bow ties, Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, Boo Boo, the Cat in the Hat, Pixie and Dixie and a few others.  Interestingly enough Yogi Bear always has a necktie tied around his neck and it is the same green tie without any variation at all.  I may have to explore this further.

Well, I have added this note.  Checkout an article that actually is posted a year after this article.  Why does Yogi Bear wear a tie   There is a technical reason to why Fred Flintstone and other charcters wear neckties or in some cases bow ties or scarves.  A comment weas left by a visitor which I owe thanks to regarding this video about why Yogi the Bear wears a necktie.


Donal Duck                  Yogi Bear                    Porky Pig

Mona Lisa Fine Art Necktie

The latest theory - who Da Vinci used as a model for his Mona Lisa?


Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci

I never believed that Mona was a self portrait and there has been some talk about Mona being a man not a woman but that is not going to sit well around here. I sell Mona Lisa Ties and have always loved her so I don't care what any art historian says. That alluring Mona Lisa smile cannot be that of a man, can it?
 

Leonardo da Vinci

Our Mona Lisa fine art necktie is a wonderful illustration of Da Vinci's master piece. The Mona Lisa is the most famous painting in the history of art and continues to inspire reproduction, parody, scientific theory, and more. In 2003-2006 the world celebrated the 500th anniversary of the painting which now has its own room at the Louvre. The painting has achieved celebrity status and is continually appearing as subject of news articles around the globe.  Visit the Louvre Web Site for Mona Lisa

Mona Lisa (also known as La Gioconda or La Joconde) is a 16th-century portrait painted in oil on a poplar panel by Leonardo di ser Piero da Vinci during the Renaissance in Florence, Italy. The portrait  was painted in Florence between 1503 and 1506. It is thought to be of Lisa Gherardini, wife of a Florentine cloth merchant Francesco del Giocondo. The work is currently owned by the Government of France and is on display at the Musée du Louvre in Paris under the title Portrait of Lisa Gherardini, wife of Francesco del Giocondo.  Read more on Wikipedia.org the encyclopedia of the Web

    

Mona Lisa Art Necktie - click here

An art historian's claim that da Vinci painted Mona Lisa using a male model is receiving great criticism on line.  Surely the painting of Mona Lisa is loved by many who will not accept this latest theory of how da Vinci created this master piece.  Several years ago a theory surfaced that Mona Lisa was a self portrait which seemed to be hard to believe as well. Read more about the latest theory here

Leonardo da Vinci was not only an artist, he was an astronomer, sculptor, geologist, mathematician, botanist, inventor, engineer, architect and even a musician. He has been perhaps the most fascinating person to ever live who has been described as the embodiment of the Renaissance period. The 16 Century is recognized as the greatest period of Italian art which can be attributed in-part to da Vinci’s work. Read more here Leonardo da Vinci, the Artist and Inventor 

Mona Lisa stolen? On August 21, 1911, Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa, one of the most famous paintings in the world, was stolen right off the wall of the Louvre (famous museum in Paris, France). It was such an inconceivable crime, that the Mona Lisa wasn't even noticed missing until the following day.

Who would steal such a famous painting? Why did they do it? Was the Mona Lisa lost forever? read further here on  About.com



Leonardo Da Vinci Mona Lisa

Mona Lisa's Smile - by Nick Pisa, Rome Leonardo da Vinci's 500-year-old Renaissance masterpiece has long been steeped in mystery, and even today the true identity of the woman with the alluring smile still far from certain.

Now members of Italy's National Committee for Cultural Heritage have revealed that by magnifying high resolution images of the Mona Lisa's eyes letters and numbers can be seen.  read more here

If you love Mona Lisa like I love Mona Lisa ( it’s that alluring Mona Lisa smile ) then you probably love Italian food also.  If you ever find yourself in San Francisco's trendy North Beach you'll probably want to to dine in a special place on Columbus between Grant Ave and Vallejo St baring Leonardo's smiling model's name,  Ristorante Mona Lisa is Italian family owned and serves up authentic Italian cuisine according to recipes passed on from mother to daughter.  Ten years ago I designed Mona Lisa Neckties for their waiters and waitresses to wear and also for souvenirs for guests.  That tie became very popular which prompted many re-orders including a version of Mona wearing a Santa Claus Cap one year.

Check out our Mona Lisa neckties, part of our fine art tie collection