Not currently on display at the V&A

Tie

1960s (worn)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This striking guitar strap was worn as a necktie by Neville Conder (1922-2003), a London architect who lived and worked in South Kensington, near the Museum. His firm, Casson & Conder, designed the Ismaili Centre directly across the street from the V&A.

While generally conventional in his dress, Conder favoured unusual neckties. He was often seen around South Kensington wearing what he called his "architect ties". These formed part of his otherwise normal wardrobe, and acted as an outlet for his originality and artistic thinking. In this instance, he chose a woven cotton and wool strap originally intended for a guitar or similar instrument. It was probably woven in South America, as the colours and stylized birds are typical of the region's traditional weaving.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Woven linen and wool
Brief description
Woven wool and linen instrument strap, worn as a tie
Physical description
Rectangular strap with plaited lime green ends, made as a guitar strap but worn as a tie. Woven cotton/linen and wool in multicolour stripes of greens, reds, blues, white, black, orange, pink, and yellow, with stylized birds and Z or N forms at intervals. Ends of tie terminating in lime green braided yarns.
Dimensions
  • Width: 3cm
  • Height: 140cm
Credit line
Given by Susan Conder
Object history
These two ties were purchased in the 1960s by Neville Conder, a London architect who was very much a part of the fabric of South Kensington. Conder lived and worked on Thurloe Square. In addition, he and his firm Casson and Conder designed the Ismaili Centre, across the street from the V &A.

Conder’s wife Susan recalled that he used to refer to these exuberant examples of neckwear as his ‘architect ties’. They were very much a part of his daily wardrobe, and he was often to be seen in South Kensington attired in these or similar designs.
Subject depicted
Summary
This striking guitar strap was worn as a necktie by Neville Conder (1922-2003), a London architect who lived and worked in South Kensington, near the Museum. His firm, Casson & Conder, designed the Ismaili Centre directly across the street from the V&A.

While generally conventional in his dress, Conder favoured unusual neckties. He was often seen around South Kensington wearing what he called his "architect ties". These formed part of his otherwise normal wardrobe, and acted as an outlet for his originality and artistic thinking. In this instance, he chose a woven cotton and wool strap originally intended for a guitar or similar instrument. It was probably woven in South America, as the colours and stylized birds are typical of the region's traditional weaving.
Collection
Accession number
T.51-2008

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Record createdJuly 9, 2008
Record URL
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