Grenadine Ties for the First Time in Greece

KYDOS introduces the world famous grenadine ties for the first time in Greece. Grenadine or Garza (Italian) is a loose jaquard weave that gives these ties a light feeling like that of a gauge. Tailors have been using the grenadine since the 18th century. At present grenadine is one of the most popular fabrics for handmade ties.  The distinct beehives weave allows the fabric to “breath” and gives a unique visual satisfaction with its texture, as a result it makes grenadine ties so special.

grenadine ties

Making of the Fabric

Today Grenadine fabric is weaved by two families based in Como, Italy, using over 100 year old looms. The weaving requires warp yarns to be twisted and interlace with one or more of weft threads, as a result this process that can take about 1 hour to complete weaving 1 metter of Grenadine fabric.  The result is this loose but strong fabric, which our house introduces for the first time ever in Greece.

Lake Como

We visited the Mills of Como and we were guided through their factory to see their production process. The Mills are not on the lake as one may romanticaly imagine. Still they are located in small noth Italian villages on the mountains surounding Como. In the factory you can see advertising posters from the 19th century and samples of retired weaving machines. The Mill’s management attempt to fit its history in two tiny rooms was intersting but he very modest. After all, how can 200 years of history fit in few square meters?

grenadine fabric weaving machine

Here is the loom which weaves the silk Grenadine fabric that we use for our ties. The Mill that runs this loom was established in 1982 and specializes in Grenadine ( Garza ). Click on the photo to see the loom in action:

grenadine tie, γραβάτα garza, graza γραβάτα
Grenadine ties v Knitted ties

Grenadine ties are not the same thing as knitted ties. Grenadine fabric is weaved, it is made of silk (mostly), giving a light and refreshing feeling, making ideal summer ties. Knitted ties are knitted by machines in a way similar to that of socks knitting and they are made of wool, are ticker and warm.

Popularity

Grenadine ties became more popular in the ’60s due to the James Bond movies.  Today a grenadine tie is a basic accessories in a gentleman’s closet. That is because of its comfort, its light feeling and texture with character. Solid colors grenadines are the most popular, but mills can now provide grenadine fabric in other designs as well. Such designs can be stripes or even tartan.

Fake Grenadine Ties

Some fake ones do exist, but because they are visually cheap, the beehives are not visible and they are warm you can easily identify them. Their low price also reflects their quality.

For the first time in Greece

KYDOS is the first necktie maker to introduce Grenadine ties ( garza ties ) in Greece. Therefore we are and the only necktie maker in Greece to offer the original grenadine silk weaved in Como. You can learn how we make our neckties in this article about making a seven fold tie.

See ourtie collection here: