Madder silk takes its name from the madder root, whose dyes once gave the cloth its colour. What has lasted is the finish: a dry, chalky surface with a soft bloom, and colours that look as though they have already been worn for years. Ours is screen-printed in Macclesfield, where the pH of the River Bollin's water has long suited the dyes.
Each tie is handmade in England with three folds and a self-tipped blade, so it ties a full, well-shaped knot and hangs with real weight. The madder finish softens every edge, so the pattern reads as rich rather than busy, as comfortable under grey flannel on a Tuesday as under tweed at the weekend.