Q&A with Michael Hill of Drake's conducted by Derek Guy of StyleForum (Part 1 of 2) - Page 2

You must be new here. If so, welcome, I look forward to more of your posts.

I think iroh used bread and butter pickles to similar effect. They need not be kosher, but sha'atnez in any event on SF.

I confess, I am a little with Iroh on this. I can afford to purchase Drakes ties (OK, here comes the moaning) yet I wonder why I should. I need a 62" long tie and they are 105 pounds at Drakes. I have bought quite a few Tom Fords from Spoo and a lot of ties from David Hober for much better prices. Unless I found a fabric or design that I had to have, I don't know why I would purchase ties from Drakes. I just got through looking at their pocket squares and they have some for 60 pounds that I really like. I can't find those anywhere else for any less, so I will probably order some, but not their ties.

I like your avatar.

What you get with a Drakes tie is excellent construction and the safety of someone else's good taste.

All it takes is buying a few ties that you never wear to make the marginal difference of a great but expensive tie a comparative bargain.

You can substitute the word "tie" with most items discussed on SF and yet maintain the truth of what I'm saying.

Doesn't this imply a blanket endorsement of Drake's? No slight to them, but 95 percent of all ties are terrible. Drake's batting average is better than most, but still.

Yeah, but can he make a you a customized tie just by tracing your shoe?

It's clearly not fair to compare SF B+S bargain Tom Fords to Drake's at retail. They're both high quality ties--and TF is what, over $200 at retail? Hober ties range but can be up there, as well. These are all luxury goods when it comes down to it. Finding value is not entirely futile, but it's not really the point.

I'd also argue that Drake's batting average with tie design is exceptional. Ted Williams territory. It helps that a lot of Drake's are quiet ties to begin with.

No question that I have bought more than my fair share of ties I never wear. They are truly a waste of money. However, I have to think that Drakes' ties are no better that David Hobers, if as good. David uses great materials, has nice silks, wools, cashmere, etc., and custom makes them to my specifications. In addition, David's a great guy, gets really involved in the process, calls me from Bangkok whenever he has questions about my order, and just makes the buying process so enjoyable.

I think I will stick with David for my ties and an occasional Tom Ford from Spoo.

If Hober has the fabric, color, and pattern that you want, it is very unlikely that you can do better.

How large that "if" looms might differ.

I will say that my Drakes ties are some of my favorites.

That "if" can be pretty big, particularly in their nubby shantung ties. I haven't found any alternative source, let alone a better one. Have you?

I think the design of the fabric is a big part of what they bring to the table - unique designs, materials and weaves. If you seek a regular "commodity" tie, there are much cheaper alternatives.

Curious to know why you felt 'let down?'

I hope Mr Drake got a fair and good price after 30 years graft, but as a private company there is no need for either the buyer or seller to contemplate revealing what the agreed sum was.

I think both Drake's and Hober ties are fantastic. David does have the benefit of cheaper labour working as he does from Thailand. I should add that this in no way compromises their fantastic quality. Working out of London I think the Drake's ties are fairly priced.

Thank you for a great interview - I look forward to the next instalments.

Dear HarleyBob,

I too have bought from Hober. Good stuff, quality, and in heavy rotation.

Let me know when David has bouclé and decent shantung. Until then, Drakes (and Ed) are worth it.

Doc, who will make horizontal stripes

I was joking.

But customer intervention is always dangerous. Buying from somewhere that has a nice curation you are more likely not going to fall into the "bad taste" category.