An Alexander Olch fan demonstrates that ties aren’t just for men

Paris Men’s Week is underway, and, to kick things off, Colette threw a small cocktail party to celebrate the stores’s collaboration with American tie designer, Alexander Olch.

The designer himself, wearing one of his own ties and pocket rounds.

Alexander is a real Renaissance man, a filmmaker who studied at Harvard: designing ties was originally something he did just for fun. But friends responded so well to his clever four-in-hands and bow ties that his “hobby” quickly turned into a growing business.

Limited-edition tie and monogrammed notebook, both Colette exclusives

Colette’s creative director, Sarah Lerfel–who has an uncanny talent for finding new designers and products–came across Alexander’s work and asked him to create limited-editions based on a charming little character he often doodles. Also exclusive to Colette are monogrammed notebooks covered in tie fabric, which are rather chic for both men and women.

Even the waitstaff sported custom tees printed with Alexander’s little characters

Sarah Lerfel, Colette’s creative director, poses wth the designer

Alexander’s first film, The Windmill Movie, is due out soon on DVD, iTunes and Netflix. We hope it’s a great success for him, but we also hope he never stops designing his wonderful ties!

Photographs by Stephane Israêl