Drake's a highly regarded factory brand, one of the few remaining in the UK, so much so that it's often said, "When you think of Drake's you think of ties." A pattern order event will be held on Saturday, March 19th. Creative director Michael Hill's proud selection of tie fabrics will be on display. Also, ready-made shirts have debuted this spring.



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Here is an interview with Michael Hill, the second-generation head Drake's .

" Drake's has a shop at 3 Clifford Street, near Bond Street and Savile Row in London, and offers a complete range of menswear, primarily ties. The shirts introduced this season, like the ties, are made in their own sewing factory," says buyer Takumi Sato. "As far as I know, there are only two or three shirt factories still operating in the UK, and Drake's shirts are rare British-made shirts produced by that one factory."

When asked what makes Drake's shirts so great, the answer is, "Like their ties, Drake's shirts aren't simply authentically British; they're highly regarded for their craftsmanship, which is based on traditional British tailoring but incorporates elements of American or Italian design as seen from a British perspective."


The pleats on the back are both functional and striking.

During this interview, buyer Sato was wearing a prototype of a Drake's shirt. When asked about the shirt's features, he took off his jacket to explain. "The most distinctive feature is the inverted back pleat (action pleat) on the back. It allows for a wide range of motion in the back, making it very comfortable to wear and a function that makes sense in relation to body movement. Also, with the increasing opportunities to take off jackets due to Cool Biz and other factors, many men are becoming more conscious of how they look from behind, but this Drake's shirt is truly a 'shirt that shows off your back.' Furthermore, I will actually wear it myself and adjust the width of this sample I'm wearing now to create a pattern that is more suitable for Japanese people."

Dress shirt: ¥35,640

Dress shirt: ¥35,640

Isetan Men's will be offering two styles: a wide-collar style suitable for dressy occasions and a button-down style that can also be worn casually. "The distinctive details of both models include a pen pocket in the chest pocket and gusseted hems, but what's particularly noteworthy is how well the collar style pairs with Drake's ties. The button-down collar, in particular, differs from the Italian style in that it has a narrower tie space, allowing Drake's ties with compact knots to fit neatly," says buyer Sato.

"Both the shirts and ties embody a 'Drake's style' that is neither American nor British, possessing originality while smartly fitting into modern attire. I would definitely recommend them to anyone who truly understands shirts," he says.



What is the appeal of custom-made neckties?

At Drake's tie pattern order event, creative director Michael Hill came to Japan with over 60 types of tie fabrics. "The biggest appeal is that he brings actual fabrics that will be sewn into ties, so you can choose from large pieces of fabric and easily imagine the finished product," says buyer Sato. "With pattern ordering, you can specify the length and width of the tie, and you can also order a 'triple-fold' tie, where the wide and narrow ends are hand-stitched and triple-folded without using a lining."

This season's recommendation is "a coarse fresco fabric suitable for spring and summer." "While Drake's tie fabrics are known for their 50-ounce printed fabrics from Adamley of England, this season we especially recommend the fresco fabric with its crisp texture and visible weave, which has a classic feel."

Drake's located in the heart of London, a metropolis boasting a world-renowned financial district, still handcrafts ties. Enjoy ordering a tie—a beautiful and practical item that adds a unique touch to a man's dress style.

DRAKE'S Trunk Show □ March 19th (Sat)
□ Isetan Shinjuku Store, Men's Building 1st Floor = Dress Shirts & Ties
*Drake's current owner, Michael Hill, visited the store.

■Price: 31,860 yen

■Delivery: Scheduled for late July

Order Details ■Materials: Over 60 types

■Width of the widest part of the blade: 7-9 cm (in 0.5 cm increments)

■Length: 140-150 cm ( in 1 cm increments )

■Loop: Yes/No

■Interlining: 3 types (light/regular/heavy)

■Lining: 3 types (Regular/Matching lining/Unlined, hand-rolled with three folds)

*All prices include tax.

inquiry
Isetan Shinjuku Store, Men's Building 1st Floor = Dress Shirts & Ties
03-3352-1111 (main representative)