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Tableware - The Importance of Quality and Design


By Tom Pretty


The right tableware for your home is an essential element in hosting excellent dinner parties and fundamental for everyday dining in the home. By selecting the correct tableware it is possible to have the perfect dinner set for both formal and informal situations.

The term tableware refers to a myriad of different items, from cups and saucers to plates and bowls; some even regard glasses, and table adornments such as placemats and condiments as tableware, although strictly this is not the case. With such a range of different pieces to choose from however, it is important to get the choice right from the outset, not only will this save time but in the long run money as well.

The choice of tableware depends upon style and fashion as much as practicality. Anyone buying dinnerware should consider how they are going to use the set. Will it be kept for formal dining? Will it only be brought out at Christmas and other special occasions? Or will it be used every day for dining with the family? By asking yourself these questions it should be possible to find a set that meets your requirements and provides dining joy for many years.

As previously stated practicality is a fundamental factor in the choice of tableware; even though, design and aesthetics should always be considered when buying a set. After all, nobody wants a ghastly dinnerware set that is left for special occasions purely because the owners cannot bear to look at it throughout the year. White is always a good choice; a neutral colour lets the food take centre stage and acts as a good frame for any culinary delights you happen to produce. White tableware pieces are also typically quite cheap to replace if any breakages occur as well.

Not everyone will want to purchase a plain and simple white set however; there are many different patterns and styles available ranging from classical designs to more modern, funky varieties. A growing trend within dinnerware design is to use darker colours such as blacks and deep browns. These deeper colours can either be plain or patterned but both styles provide an elegant way to serve and present food.

When selecting pieces of dinnerware it is important to test the items for quality. Typically any piece manufactured by a major producer will have a mark from the pottery house in which it was produced, usually a sign of quality. Additionally it is always worth checking for bubbles in the glaze or small pin holes and cracks; if these are present it is likely that these items are of poor quality.

Hopefully this article has shown that tableware can be used in both informal and formal dining situations. It has also hoped to highlight the array of options on offer for the consumer. With so much choice it is important to research any items and study them closely before purchasing.

Giorgio Armani Biography - Expanding Beyond Men's Fashion and Designer Neckties


By Jackie D.


Giorgio Armani is one of the most successful designers in the history of fashion. With a net worth of over 5 billion dollars and a company that posts annual returns over $1.6 billion, he is a fashion icon and a true living legend.

Early Years

Armani got his start working as an assistant designer at a fashion house called Nino Cerruti. He worked there from 1961 to 1970 and was in charge of designing menswear for the company. He left them in 1970 to focus on freelance work. Because he no longer had to focus on the instructions of his bosses, it was during this time that Armani started to develop his own style. Then in 1974 he partnered up with designer Sergio Galeotti and established a menswear label appropriately called Armani. A year later the pair introduced a womenswear line as well.

Though he was immensely successful from the start, Armani achieved true international fame when he designed suits and menswear for major Hollywood movies like American Gigolo. In fact, this would become a theme for Armani who would go on to personally design custom suits for the male stars in a number of blockbuster movies.

Armani has also been an avid sports fan for years, so much so that he has twice designed uniforms for the English national football tam. He also designed the outfits worn by the Italian flag bearers' at the Winter Olympics in Turin in 2006.

Expanding Beyond Menswear

But a fortune as large as Armani's was not amassed by designing menswear and sports uniforms alone. The company also manufactures a wide range of products which include: jewelry, watches, eyewear, cosmetics, perfumes and colognes, fashion accessories, and even home interiors.

These products are produced under the following labels: Giorgio Armani, Armani Exchange, Armani Collezioni, Armani Jeans, Armani Casa, Armani Junior and Emporio Armani. Each line offers customers something different. For example, Armani Casa is not a clothing line, but rather a collection of high-end goods for the home, which include lamps, linens, and even furniture. This demonstrates just how far the Armani brand has come in only thirty-four years.

It is even rumored that Armani is planning on opening a chain of luxury hotels in several of the world's largest cities. At present, the company owns and operates a number of cafes, bars, nightclubs and restaurants all around the world.

Returning to His Roots

But even though Giorgio Armani has expanded his interests as well as his fashion empire in recent years, he has remained true to his roots. In fact, his signature collections all focus on menswear, specifically men's suits. Armani suits and accessories are available in most major department stores and at high end clothing stores around the world.

One accessory Armani has always had a keen interest in is the necktie. It is said that he strongly believes that ties should display simple patterns and should not overwhelm the suit, but rather serve as a compliment to it. To this day, Armani designs simple silk neckties that come in a variety of colors and patterns. He is particularly fond of floral and checkered patterns.

Jackie D. is the owner of Ties2Pillows, an online resource for Vintage Designer Neckties and Vintage Giorgio Armani Ties for sale on the web.

Ties are separated by era (1920's through today's), by style (wide, extra long, square end, knit, silk) and by pattern.

The site carries every novelty theme imaginable, including hard to find vintage unique novelty ties.

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