GIOVANNA

Grabatologist: One who collects ties (of any sort), not someone who's a little too 'handsy' for comfort. Apparently they have a name for everything haha. I guess I'm becoming a grabatologist by default of course, I really wasn't cool enough to want to be one on my own, but now that Giovanna and I run a custom bow tie design company, it'd only make sense that I got to know my own product. 

An excess of anything can be a bad thing I presume but in this case, having a bad ass collection of ties, bow ties, suspenders, WHATEVER can be worthwhile if the demand of its condition be mint. We actually had a client the other week order 12 100% silk bow ties from our vintage collection, and he mentioned that this would add to his 400 piece bow tie collection he had been gathering since the 70's! 

It was great to know that someone had seen his collection all the way through and he's not done according to him! He was completely satisfied, had gone through half of them for events, and claims to want more in the near future. He practically came up with the name Grabatologist if I didn't know any better! I've been inspired to keep all of mine in great condition in hopes to passing down the pieces to my children and their children's children's children... 

While your woman is shopping for that cute summer dress and sandals for the 4th of July BBQ you have coming up don't forget you gotta keep it patriotic and put on a little red, white and blue too!

Never fear, we've gotcha covered compadre. The reversible, NAY, the tri-versible stars and stripes custom bow tie from Giovanna will have necks breaking when they see you showing up in your Chubbies, Sperry's, sports coat and a bow tie that screams "I <3 AMERICA!" 

You'll have the Blue stars on the one side, and for some inexplicable reason have the red/white stripes on the other?? The bow tie will look like a reversible at first, Blue stars on one whole side and the stripes on the other. When you tie the bow tie traditional leading with one side or the other you'll end up with all stars or all stripes, which is fine except you're trying to be the cool guy that's wearing the American Flag as a bow tie! No worries folks it's not an illusion. It's merely a twist of the bow tie before pulling it through the knot at the end that'll give you that good ol' U.S. of A pride.  Wear it proud hombre 'cuz it'll be the only day you can get away with looking like a douche.

For those of you who thought there was only one style of bow tie, you’ve been mistaken. The cuts and styles could be endless depending on how you design each ‘flap’ or ear. As you can see in the pics above, we have 3 categories or styles (Batwing, Standard, and Grande), with each category having its own set of cuts (Round, Straight, Classic, Diamond, etc.) Each cut and style has a different personality and can be unique to certain wearers making bow ties a great addition to a man’s attire.

Here at Giovanna, we pride ourselves in turning non wearing bow tie clients, into bow tie wearing clients! Every man can own a great bow tie or two or TEN! It takes a thorough consultation to get to know the wearer’s personality, what he likes, daily routines, etc. to figure out what he is comfortable with. We always say, just let us get you into one bow tie, and you’ll be hooked!

We’ve been asked to make a how to tie a bow tie video so we are in the middle of editing the video now and should it out for you very soon! Be sure to check us out on youtube: bowtiesbyGio 

We were asked by someone recently about the knot in the middle of the bow tie and if we knew of any maker that 'designs' them with a tiny "waist" giving the bow tie a more billowing look. Honestly the thickness of the knot has very little to do with the design, it simply depends on how tightly you squeeze the knot when tying it. You can see by the picture if I want a more loose, straight look, I lightly pull each side giving it a lazy fuller look. If I wish to give it a small waist, I simply tie it as tight as I want her to be, and Voila! Super skinny, tight knot, large wings look!

 Of course, the thinner the interface you use on the inside of the bow, and the actual fabric used (silk vs. cotton) can make a slight difference but you catch my drift. 

top: loose knot

I don't know about you all, but we've really been into animals on fabrics lately. A well known designer you all may know, Ferragamo has been an inspiration to a collection of our custom bow ties. We do quite well in the realm of wedding parties and black tie events but want the average joe to know that, "YES, you too can sport a bow tie that matches your personality.. or lack thereof" 

The common pushback we get at trade shows or events are "Oh I could never pull that off, OR you'd really have to be loud or rambunctious to ever wear a bow tie" YET, what we've noticed is that as soon as they were convinced to purchase their first custom, self tie bow tie by Giovanna, THEY WERE ADDICTED. I'd be lying if I told you that I always had the confidence to add these bad boys to the wardrobe. You get this feeling of "Do they think I'm doing this to stand out? or Am I trying too hard?" but believe me, if you have the right cut, style and print on your bow tie, people can't help but to shower you with compliments. Hence the addiction. 

The other pushback we always hear is "But I don't even know how to tie a bow tie" THEN LEARN! you learned how to tie a regular tie didn't you??? It takes the same amount of effort, only it's not a tie! Youtube it, ask a friend, do whatever you usually do find out how to do ANYTHING and make it happen!

Now if you're not an "expert" in the realm of bow ties, don't feel bad, there are TONS of celebrities who wear them and still look awkward doing so. Clip on bow ties are their own thing, but if you're going for the whole fresh look and you have your suit game on point, the baddest shoes money can buy, and a clip on.... people in the know can tell; shoot people who aren't in the know can tell, they just don't know what it is about your bow tie that's off but they know.  

Bow ties aren't just for the red carpet!