With corporate image and identity becoming ever more significant factors in the search for success, corporate merchandise in the form of clothing and accessories can provide a very polished, yet cost-effective impression.

click to see an image of a soldier of the Terracotta Army

The use of clothing, in particular neckwear, has a long history and is not limited being a late twentieth century concept: * the Terracotta Army was found to be wearing neck-scarfs of different colours, perhaps to identify the specialsim of each individual soldier, or group of soldiers *Roman legionnaires wore uniforms which included coloured scarves to show to which legion they belonged *12th century Knights Templars wore white tunics with a large red cross to signify their allegiance to the 'western' church *13th century knights wore coloured tabards so that they could be recognised on the battlefield

*16th century Croatian mercenaries at the court of Louis XV of France wore cravats to distinguish themselves from the other elements of the French army of the time. Indeed the very word 'cravat' is a corruption of 'croat' and this has been passed down through the years to mean a very specific type of gentlemen's neck attire.

The logical progression from these early expressions of identity is seen in the increased use of impressive coats of arms, complex company logos and motifs as well as the regimental tie. Today, there are many different ways to create a 'corporate' design - many which Collections supplies to clients are based on contemporary fashion ideas, but re-coloured and manufactured to include the logo or motif. Even the labels on the reverse of the tie or scarf, together with the 'tipping', can be included economically to create a complete look.