Black Tie Event Cancelled

According to Bloomberg, The British Bankers' Association has postponed its annual dinner, scheduled for tonight.

Of course, we are all in favour of black tie dinners but few people would argue that British bankers deserve a night out at the moment!

Queen Victoria Preferred Black Ties to White

Queen Victoria's dispute with an artist over whether to paint her son wearing a black tie or white tie can finally be judged by the public.

The miniature portrait at the centre of the dispute is going on display for the first time from 16 March to 4 November at The Queen's Gallery, Hollyroodhouse. Prince Alfred, Duke of Edinburgh, is painted by acclaimed Scottish artist Kenneth Macleay. The original was praised when exhibited in Edinburgh but Queen Victoria requested a miniature of Alfred based on the watercolour portrait, but asked for alterations. In particular a black tie was to replace the white tie in the original. After painting a black tie, Macleay decided it looked better white and changed it back.

In a letter to Queen Victoria dated August 4 1864 he stated 'The Queen will observe that I have done the miniature in a black handkerchief at her majesty's command, but on again seeing the large picture (as it was painted in a white tie by the Queen's desire at first, and all the arrangements in accordance and with reference to the white,) that it would quite spoil it to put it in a black handkerchief - in which opinion the president and all the members of the Royal Scottish Academy who have seen it, entirely concur, I have left it white.'

In a reply written in pencil on the reverse of the artist's note, Queen Victoria noted 'The Queen does not like this miniature as well as the original and she wishes Mr Macleay to alter it by and large.'

The monarch had her wish and the final image shows her son with a black tie. The miniature will be part of the Diamond Jubilee exhibition - Treasures from the Queen's Palaces.

Stella McCartney Hosts Black Tie Event

Last night Sir Paul's daughter hosted an event to mark the 2012 London Olympics. Guests included Rihanna and Kate Moss, giving plenty of reason to dress up!

Ant and Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway Series Finale

Double act Ant and Dec have decided to wrap up the current series of their hit TV show Saturday Night Takeaway in style... by wearing ties of course.

The Geordie duo famed for wearing open-neck shirts with their tailored suits have clearly realised the error of their ways and chosen to sign off the series by smartening up. Both have decided to wear narrow black ties.

Anthony McPartlin and Declan Donnelly have come a long way since their days together as PJ and Duncan in BBC kids' series Byker Grove. We're sure it won't be long before they are back on our TV screens again... let's just hope they keep those ties on!

Dress Like Sean Penn

Sean Penn walked away with Best Male Actor from this week's Oscars. Penn fought off competition from bookies' favourite Mickey Rourke to win the gong for his performance in the Gus Van Sant-directed movie, Milk.

Whilst Penn and his fellow Hollywood stars soaked up the glitzy ceremony, we were keeping an eye on the ties the fellows were wearing. As you can probably imagine, there weren't too many variations on the plain black tie or plain black bow tie.

Not to worry though, as the main man Sean Penn wore a tie with a subtle difference. Penn's narrow tie had a self-stripe to it adding a lovely texture to his outfit.

Want a tie much like Penn's? Try our Semi-Plain Black 7cm Skinny Tie!

Fabregas Shows Style Off The Pitch Too

This year's PFA Players Player of the Year, Cristiano Ronaldo, was not present to receive his award at Sunday's star-studded ceremony at London's Grosvenor House Hotel, due to Champions League commitments. Fellow winner Cesc Fabregas was there though.

The Arsenal playmaker earned himself the PFA Young Player of the Year award for his performances throughout the 2007-08 Premier League campaign. The honour will have pleased Fabregas, no doubt, but what pleased us more was his decision to wear a tie rather than bow tie for the event.

The overwhelming majority of guests still choose to wear a bow tie for the black tie dinner, but young Spaniard Fabregas, showed he is a master of style off the field as well as on it by sporting a sharp black tie.

He went against the current trend of skinny ties and opted for a nice regular width tie.

A black silk tie like Fabregas' can be found here at Tiesplanet.com.