CHEONG PHIN checks out Hermes' collection of ties in 100 shades.

Some of the colour dyes specially concocted for the printing process.

The shiny yet subtle 'H' logo of the faconee Hermes tie.

The printed tie on the bias silk ready to be cut and assembled into an Hermes tie.

ATTENTION all tie connoisseurs or necktie collectors: the “101 ties” showcase of 100 different shades of the faconee Hermes tie has arrived at the Hermes Pavilion store, Kuala Lumpur.

Fresh from a brief stop in Taiwan and directly from the French house in Paris, this special tie event is here for a very limited period — until Wednesday — before its subsequent transfer to Australia.

Prominently displayed at the boutique entrance on level G, this unique showcase comes in the form of an oversized travelling suitcase, displaying the impressive array of the colours of the faconee Hermes tie in little compartments which almost resembled an emulsion paint catalogue or a Pantone colour guide.

For Hermes, the philosophy of the necktie or “cravat” is simple. Ties are like ideas. The more one has, the more one wants. The tie is an act of public intimacy, a personal experience witnessed through the eyes of others. It is, thus, an adventure of the soul and a way of being. No need of a crown to reign, no need of a tie to charm, but the charmer owns many ties, which paints the portrait of his personality.
The faconee tie is one of Hermes bestselling classic ties made in printed silk. Its pure and simple monotone gets a subtle boost from a shiny scatter of its signature “H” letter all over the silk body.

Ranging from the darkest black to a vibrant red or a refreshing blue to a neutral camel, the dye process and print process follow the time-honoured techniques employed for their famous silk scarves that date back to 1930s.

Only the finest quality silk, similar to the ones used for their silk scarves, is picked while the exclusive Hermes interlining (which gives the ties their shape and hang) is a mixture of cotton and wool.

Unlike the conventional three panels on most ties, the cut of the faconee tie comprises only two panels (large panel and small panel) to allow the printing of the two panels and their respective linings on the same piece of silk, thereby ensuring a consistent textural feel of the tie for its wearer. After the assembly of the two panels and the fitting of the interlining, the tie is then closed using a special Hermes fold which endows it with exceptional body.

Like the production of their exquisite leather goods and silk scarves, the tie-making process at Hermes is dedicated to the pursuit of quality for its customers. All Hermes ties are still made the traditional way by hand, using longitudinal stitching with a single thread which is free to move and ensuring that the tie remains supple. The label is sewn on with four separate stitches.

In addition to the 100 colour choices, the faconee Hermes tie also comes in four different sizes that range from the longer 9.4cm, the classic 9.1cm, the 8cm Boston to the contemporary and slimmer 7cm Liverpool. It is therefore safe to say that there is bound to be at least one colour or size that will meet the demands of the discerning male today.

However, should the gentleman customer fail to find a shade of colour to his liking from this wide selection of 100 options, he can opt to create his very own tie (at a premium price, of course) from a box of catalogues containing an astonishing choice of 1,000 colours.

These folders certainly looked like a Pantone colour guide book and I must say, the extensive range of colour choices essentially reflects Hermes as a pioneering colourist for their famous silk scarves and its commitment to satisfy the sartorial demands of their old and new customers with an almost undying solution.

Similarly, this special made-to-order necktie is available in four different sizes and will also be specially personalised with a leather tab that bears the customer’s initials on it. The only snag is that it will take up to nine weeks to deliver the desired coloured tie.

As for the impatient tie connoisseur, the selection of 100 colours currently on show is available instantly and cost less too.