Alexander Olch makes the best neckwear in the industry. He has mastered combining texture and pattern, while making his product feel rugged and masculine. His precision in tie width and quality of product is second to none. When you wear a tie by Alexander Olch, you feel at ease because your confidence is evident to everybody that passes by.
Grungy Gentleman kicks it with the dude who taught myself how to make a tie, Alexander Olch…
Grungy Gentleman: How did Alexander Olch begin and what should everybody know about the brand?
Alexander Olch: I made a souvenir for the crew that worked on my thesis film at college. Instead of a t-shirt or baseball hat, I thought it would be nice to make a necktie. The first necktie turned out rather well - as many of my friends, who were now working for their first jobs after college, asked if they could purchase one. The business grew from there. Simple word of mouth. I built a website in early 2004 selling our neckties online. A lot of people laughed back then, and said no one would buy luxury goods online. Times have changed quite a bit since then.
GG: Where did you get the inspiration for your fall collection?
AO: I am not actually sure I know that answer. The design process for me is very personal, careful, and experimental. I only wear my own accessories, so that challenge is not so much about searching outside for ideas, but about looking closely and carefully at what “literally” I would like to wear for the next six months.
GG: Which tie from your collection resembles you the most?
AO: I think I spread it out over the whole collection equally.
GG: You are my favorite tie designer, hands down! I have never seen someone before combine pattern and texture, with such a masculine vibe and edge to their neckwear. Why do you think pattern and texture are so important and what is your secret?
AO: Thank you very much. I’m not sure if I know the secret - probably better that way. I think I search for something that I haven’t seen before and yet somehow feels familiar – each design to have something old and something new – two opposing ideas. If it’s a familiar pattern, then making in a novel texture and vise versa.
GG: How does it feel to have taught the Grungy Gentleman how to make a tie? (via the Complex video)
AO: Very proud. Teaching is the most notable profession. We had a lot of fun making that video.
GG: How should a man feel when he is wearing a tie?
AO: At ease.
GG: What elements go into making the perfect bowtie?
AO: Something slightly askew. The perfect bow-tie should never be perfect.
GG: You have expanded your collection from ties to pocket squares, suspenders, scarves, totes, notebooks, and wallets. Why did you choose to produce those accessories?
AO: I have always been fascinated by making things – objects, accessories, art. When the piece works – when it does what it’s supposed to do, and then you find it grabbing your attention a little longer than normal – because it looks good or a little different – when it somehow captures your imagination, that’s a very satisfying experience to apply across a range of objects/accessories.
GG: What can we expect next from Alexander Olch?
AO: Got a few ideas scribbled in my notebook…
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