Since January 2006 we have been meeting the customer requirement for exquisite yet robust materials with a brand new generation of stain-repellent, refined silk ties. The so-called "lotus effect" is characteristic of these ties: dirt rolls off the surface like water from the leaf of a lotus flower – and it is modern nanotechnology that makes this possible. An exclusive and complex process that takes place after the weaving stage sees the silk dipped into a bath of sol-gel and fluorocarbon. The result is an ultra-fine layer in the nano-scale range, which homogeneously combines with the fabric. A "self-cleaning" surface is therefore created, which repels dirt and prevents stains from penetrating into the fabric.

This extremely technical process does not change the look and feel of the silk! Nano-refined ties are wonderfully soft and have the typical gentle silky shine that customers, naturally, do not want to do without.

We are the only company in Europe to be awarded with a certification from the Hohensteiner Institute for the nano-refinement of silk ties. We have been continually commissioning a test series for each of our collections since December 2005. We publish our test results on our website at regular intervals, thus offering full transparency and assurance for our customers.

Nanotechnologically refined Akzente ties can be distinguished by the special product features: a hangtag with brief information, a specially aligned lining material, as well as a "handmade" and a special "care" label.

* The term "nano" is derived from Greek (nanos = dwarf) and is used to describe the billionth of a unit. The difference between a nanometre and a millimetre is roughly the same as the difference in size between a football and planet earth!