Sections of the world’s biggest tie, once wrapped around the neck of an iconic Croatian arena, have made their way to Maitland as part of the city’s newly bequeathed tie collection.
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The Tie Society of Australia has donated its entire collection to Maitland’s Museum of Clothing and is one of only three of its kind in the world.
The museum – based at Maitland Gaol – is now home to more than 3000 ties including the scarlet red sections of the Croatian masterpiece and is preparing an exhibition to introduce the ties to the public.
“This is one of only three tie collections, of this size, in the world,” exhibition curator Sandy Earle said.
“There is also one in France and the biggest one is the Academia Cravatica in Croatia because the Croatians believe they invented the tie and that was their gift to the world.”
The museum also has 150 red ties cut from the world’s biggest tie to be sold as a fund-raiser for the exhibition.
“I’m interested in ties because they are quirky and people wear ties because they want to impress someone or to make a statement, it’s a really interesting thing and I think this exhibition will explore some of the more crazy elements of ties,” Ms Earle said.
Included in the Australian collection are ties featuring images of Mr Bean, a tie made from beads, bespoke ties and those made from wool and wood.
“This is a fun thing and it will give people something to smile about,” Ms Earle said.
n A small tie display is now on show at East Maitland Library with a larger presentation All Tied Up planned for March 15 at the Museum of Clothing.
