Men's neckwear with a difference

Nadine Kam photos
Mimi Fong creates distinctive ties and cumberbunds. She's showing her work in the men's department at Neiman Marcus until 2:30 p.m. today, Sept. 9.

Laguna Beach-based designer Mimi Fong is in town to share her men's formal neckwear, cumberbunds, ties and accessories at Neiman Marcus, geared toward men who are not afraid of color and not afraid to stand out in a crowd.

Her ties are created of beautiful, original silk brocades, many with floral motifs and cut in ways so that no two are exactly alike.

Mimi said it bothered her, when shopping for men's ties, that their designs were so repetitive and static. She's drawn to things that are different (she's wearing Commes des Garçons and her own skirt creation with a bustle) so set out to change the way men think about neckwear, with designs that randomly wrap around and mysteriously disappear to the back of the tie.

The designer can create custom designs as well. You can meet her at Neiman Marcus today, where she'll be in the men's department until 2:30 p.m. You can also see more of her work at Mimifong.com.

Using a template, Mimi showed how one tie might look. She said she began creating her own ties to break the repetitive mode of men's tie patterns.

Mimi's obis for women can be worn at the waist or hips. They sell for about $100.

A selection of Mimi Fong's ties, at about $190 each.

Her textiles are created in limited yardages for exclusivity.

The gingko design with textured weave.