What is Labor Day?

Labor Day is always the first Monday in September and was the idea of Peter J. Maguire. Some more recent research says it may be his brother's Matthew's idea but it is not entirely certain. Peter was a labor union leader who in 1882 proposed a celebration honoring the American worker. The founders were looking for two things: a means of unifying union workers and a reduction in work time.

The organizers of the first Labor Day wanted to create an event that brought different types of workers together to meet each other and recognize their common interests. However, no government or company at that time recognized the first Monday in September as a day off. The issue was temporarily solved by declaring a one day strike in the city. All striking workers were then expected to march in a parade, eat and drink the rest of the day. The New York Tribune's reporter who covered the event felt the entire day was one long political barbecue, with “rather dull speeches.”

The date chosen was simply “convenient,” according to Maguire, because it was midway between Fourth of July and Thanksgiving. Although the day’s focus on organized labor has diminished over the years with the decline of manufacturing jobs and workers, the holiday has become a way to mark the end of the summer season and the start of the school year.

Faburiq recognizes the importance of this day for two reasons. Our small team consists of the small but skilled textile workforce in New England area; and our mission to create accessories that not only serve as complements to your wardrobe but with a "dress for success" style and attitude in mind. From the humble beginnings of the average manufacturing worker to the guy in the suit. Labor Day has come a long way and is something worth celebrating for.

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Author: Aruña Chong Quiroga

Ref: The Conversation: "Have we forgotten the true meaning of Labor Day? It’s not about the end of summer" by Jay L. Zagorsky

Style Tips of Sir Roger Moore

 

Proportion is Key.

Wide legged pants? Make sure you have a wide lapel on your suit jacket. Slim cut pants? Slim fit jacket with a more subdued lapel. Having even proportions throughout your outfit is the key to looking slim and filled out.

 

Embrace a Bold Print.

Do yourself a favor next time you are out shopping and buy a print that speaks to you the most. Having a bold print is an immediate upgrade to your closet. Whether you pick plaid, stripes, polka dots or even houndstooth, you will be unique in a crowd.  Moore was never afraid to be bold.

Rocking that Bow Tie.

Often called the “warm weather neck wear”,  a bow tie adds a smidge of quirkiness to a formal look. Moore’s Bond is always ready to complete a mission or order a martini in his bow tie.

 

Bold Tuxedos.

One of the most famous photos of Moore is of him in his white tuxedo jacket. He pulls it off brilliantly all with an air of sophistication. Although menswear has come a long way in terms of color and print options, it still has room to grow. Channeling your inner Roger Moore doesn’t necessarily mean purchasing a white suit. Sky blue or mint are other bold options available.

With these four tips, you’ll be walking around in style in no time.

Author: Kayla-Marie Bienwald

Tieology - The Psychology Behind NeckTies

What are you trying to say when you wear that rectangular piece of silk? As one of the few expressions of creativity and personality allowed to men, a tie has quiet a bit of responsibility. It can convey an emotion, a mood, a situation, and above all the elegance of the wearer, since his choice of a tie is an expression of his inner self. True markers of style continue to include neckwear in their wardrobe.  Every man should have a strategic neckwear wardrobe. Neckwear is not part of a necessary uniform but more of a telling adjunct. A few well-chosen, quality ties - low-key and luxurious, rather than hyper-stylish, can make all the difference in the world. Simplicity of cut, quality construction and materials, and discretionary taste are the hallmarks of fine neckwear.

“Dress up your sportswear and dress down your formal wear.
– Luciano Barbera”

Since New York tie maker, Jesse Langsdorf, came up with essentially the method of making a modern tie 80 years ago, the only thing that has changed is why men wear ties. Ties are no longer viewed today as a sign of conformity or social imposition; ties these days are seen as simply ornamentation. Essentially purposeless and increasingly worn at one's own discretion, ties are now above all statements of the wearer's personality. These strips of silk, cotton or linen have become accessories laden with meaning.

A navy with white polka dots: a decidedly dressier but fun approach tells people that you're a really fun guy once your business suit comes off at night.

If your choice is a conservatively striped power tie, perhaps you want your professional, no-nonsense persona to shine through. It’s not a coincidence that many politicians wear red-colored ties with light shirts and darker suits. Red is the power tie because red always comes back to strength and passion.

In the last decade, a pink tie most often but not always signals a “solidarity with women".

Consider blue as the all-purpose tie hue and also the safest color to wear. Blue ties are always a good investment and it has a calming effect. The tie that looks smart with almost any suit is also a pristine approach to a navy blazer. Not forgetting patterned blue ties that tend to give off a classic professional feel and can be worn in a global business environment without sending the wrong message.

A silk foulard in a discreet geometric print is the classic tie to wear with a solid or striped business suit and striped dress shirt.

But perhaps a bow tie is more your speed, because you are a free-spirited nonconformist with an intellectual or creative bent. Or maybe not. That's the beauty of the tie. A man may be all of the different things his tie implies, or none of them. But you can't be a slob and wear a bow tie either. Bow tie wearers have to wear them like they mean it and perfecting the art of wearing bow ties says something  about them. If he chooses right, his tie will say what he wants it to.

But even though your tie may be speaking for you, it is typically women who are the ventriloquists. Almost 60 percent of ties being purchased are by women; many men are products of the fit-to-be-tied fashion statement.

So, regardless of your necktie preference, consider ties as an essential equipment in your wardrobe simply because as Harry Anderson puts it, "Neckties are the modern man's desire to dress in art".

Author: Aruña Chong Quiroga

Ref:  BBC Archives: The Psychology of Tie Colours by Alina Dizik; The Book of Ties by Francois Chaille; Tie Me Up, Tie Me Down by Jodi Balkan

Exploring Arimatsu

Arimatsu village is one of Japan’s hidden treasures, whose history never seems too far from the past. The town is the birthplace and probably best known for its traditional textile craft, Shibori, used for kimono and various designer garments today. “The whole town is really beautiful. People here live and breath their Shibori craft,” explains Sebastian, whose textile affections inspired his trip. It’s like a living museum - people still live here, and the town is filled with contemporary designer boutiques and modern local bistro and cafes. You can also enjoy the scenery of the village’s serene Zen forest anytime of the day. 

Arimatsu (有松町 Arimatsu-chō) was a town located in Aichi Prefecture, Japan. Today, it is approximately three-and-a-half-hours by Shinkansen (新幹線) from Tokyo. It is now part of Nagoya, a town filled with Tokugawa and Edo treasures. Shibori, also known as “Japanese tie-dye”, is a form of resist dyeing in which fabric is folded, tied, twisted or wrapped to create patterns and various motifs. The variation of methodology and motifs it has created are given different names and each has symbolic significance. 

One of the main attractions to learn and experience Shibori in Arimatsu is the Shibori Kaikan Museum. The true treasure is on the second floor where you’ll see the Shibori Craftswomen from Arimatsu. “I was introduced to Okasan Aiko during my visit where she demonstrated the different Shibori techniques. She showed me the different processes of Shibori from Kanako (regular tie-dye), Kumo (wrapping), Nui (stitching), Arashi (pole wrapping and twisting), Itajime (shape resistant/clamping) and many more Shibori techniques. The Shibori collection displayed is breathtaking, most of them dyed with the natural and traditional dye – Indigo or Japanese Blue. Shibori fabric has an amazing texture. The tiny knots that are hand tied not only create a visual pattern, but also a raised texture. The tools and vintage technology varies within the different processes of Shibori. Workshops are held where various techniques are taught by the Master Shibori craftswomen,” explains Sebastian. 

"Shibori needs patience less than time and more than heart because it's a craft beyond words. Devote to such a craft only with love." Shibori Craftswomen of 有松町 Arimatsu-chō

As Master Aiko continued wrapping her Kumo Shibori, she talked about the Annual Shibori festival, a celebration of the Shibori art and the town itself, held the first weekend of June along the old Tokaido highway. The festival floats with performances of Dashi floats and Karakui mechanical puppet shows performed by Shibori Komachi and Fukuotoko (lucky men). Some of the old historical houses are open to public offering a peek into truly traditional homes.

Many old historical houses from the Edo period still line the Tokaido road. Shibori designer boutiques, cafes and serene local shrines could be found in the backyard of Arimatsu village. The vivid art of Shibori is truly a cultural experience beyond time and history, and today, placing its mark on contemporary fashion. Experience Shibori within Faburiq’s haberdasheries and shop the story!

*If you would like to know more about Kimono fabrics click here and if you would like to know more about Shibori fabrics click here.

Authors: Alexander Sebastianus and Aruña Chong Quiroga