Heritage
Founded in 1977, Drakes remains under the directorship of Michael Drake and Isabel Dickson, two of the original founders. The original collection comprised of mens' scarves and accessories, a range of English handmade ties and linen handkerchiefs quickly followed. Drakes are now the largest independent producer of handmade ties in England. Over the years Drakes has won many accolades for design and export achievement, including the Queens award for Export and the BKCEC award for UK British fashion exports.
The original ethos and vision for the company is the same today as it was then. The company strives to be truly international in terms of sales with collections designed to be sold to a wide range of shops from the most conservative to the most fashionable world wide, extremely difficult to do but something which has been achieved consistently since the very beginning.
Today the Drakes collection can be found at Knize in Vienna (whose byword is more conservative than the Catholic Church) at one extreme and at the Comme des Garcons stores in London, Paris, New York and Tokyo on the other.
The common thread of all our retailers is luxury and top quality. All Drakes products have a distinctive hand writing which is easily identifiable yet at the same time manages to be constantly updated on an ongoing basis.
Michael Drake's original concept for the company style was that what ever was produced had to have a refined English look that would be endorsed by the best shops in Milan and Paris. The rationale was that if the two most discerning markets in the world were won over, satisfying the rest of the world would be relatively easy by comparison.
The Drakes style has evolved to become a blend of the best of refined English taste with a touch of French chic and a nod to the Italians for their sense of style and colour. This combination represents a vision of how English style is perceived to be rather than the reality which today is all too often less inspiring.
Drakes' ties continue to be entirely handmade in the heart of London, carefully adhering to the traditions and knowledge built up over thirty years of striving for excellence. The craftsmanship and constant attention to detail that is given to the product is never compromised and truly sets Drakes apart in this day and age.
Adhering to our rich heritage only the finest quality of silk, wool and cashmere is used for the collections of all Drakes products, which are designed in Clerkenwell London and manufactured exclusively in England and Scotland.
Commencing Autumn 2007 Drakes opened their first on line shopping site. The vision was to introduce a virtual haberdashers for the most discerning gentlemen, a shop but without walls. The offer would be limited to unique items which sadly are becoming increasingly difficult to find.
For Autumn 2008 the sartorially enlightened will be delighted to know that in addition to ties and an extensive collection of scarves, the shop will have shirts for the first time, luxurious cashmere knitwear, the finest quality classic white linen handkerchiefs, over the calf socks in both fine wool and Egyptian cotton, unique travel umbrellas, exclusive sterling silver and antique bead cufflinks, the perfect sport belt combining cotton webbing with British saddle leather and throws and picnic rugs woven in Scotland.
Visit the Drakes London online shop.