Macclesfield Silk Printing

A Guide to Ancient Madder Ties

In a small town roughly 25 kilometers from Manchester lies Macclesfield, the home of English silk printing. Once the worlds largest producer of silk, Macclesfield’s silk printing industry dates back to the mid-16th century. 

Since years a very special silk has gained attention in the international menswear world and is famous for its rich color pallet and three dimensional effect: Ancient Madder Silk. 

Today only a handful very specialized mills can be found that still produce this incomparable screen printed silk in Macclesfield as production is complicated and time consuming. Ancient Madder silk is not only famous for its matte finished colors offering burgundies, mustards, greens and blues but also for its superb quality in paisley or floral patterns. 

The name “madder” comes from the Rubia tinctoria plant, whose roots were once used to produce the earthy reds and muted tones that became synonymous with this silk. Over time, Macclesfield’s printers refined the process, combining careful dyeing with multiple stages of traditional screen printing. The result is a fabric with exceptional depth of colour, a luxurious drape, and a tactile finish unlike anything produced in mass fashion. 

Ancient Madder truly found their place on Ivy League campuses during the mid-20th century. Thinking of preppy styles we believe that it is good for both formal and casual outfits adding an outstanding vintage character.

At Brunati Como, we honour this remarkable textile by pairing it with the precision of Italian craftsmanship. Our Ancient Madder ties are made in untipped three-fold construction with handrolled edges and minimal interlining. This approach keeps the knot neat, the drape soft, and the tie light — preserving the fabric’s heritage while offering a modern, wearable refinement.

Every piece is handmade in Italy, uniting the best of two worlds: the enduring artistry of Macclesfield silk printing and the sartorial mastery of Italian tailoring.