DESIGNER'S NOTES

A green Fox & Chave silk tie with a floral design featuring the pattern Windrush by William Morris (1834-1896)

While Morris is often celebrated for his aesthetics, Windrush created in 1883 is a masterclass in botanical representation married with decorative utility. The pattern is a river piece, capturing the lush, overhanging vegetation of the Cotswolds. It is distinct for its heavy use of the acanthus leaf, a classical motif Morris 'Gothicized' by giving it a vigorous, rhythmic life that seems to grow across the fabric.

By layering large-scale floral forms over a vermicular background pattern, Morris solved the problem of visual gaps in textile design. This density ensured the fabric looked rich even when draped as upholstery. Windrush serves as a visual manifesto for Sustainable Design long before the term existed, utilising non-toxic, plant-based pigments to honor the very environment it depicted.

COLOURS

STYLING

A Fox & Chave silk tie looks best tied in a classic Windsor or half-Windsor knot and worn with a collar style of your choosing. Cutaway or spread collars offer the greatest opportunity to display the detail of your unique silk tie design.