Some say it was for wiping battle swords; others say it was a napkin for wiping the mouth. There are so many varied versions of the necktie’s origin. Today, neckties are part of refined and formal dressing for men. But have you ever imagined that used neckties can have second lives? A group of grassroots women are precisely adding new colors to their lives with old neckties.
Indispensable for weddings, funerals, celebrations and festive events, neckties come in different widths, stripes and patterns. For men who prefer gentleman-like classic outfits and often wear suits, they may have a few dozen or even over a hundred neckties in the wardrobe. This is hardly surprising at all, just like chefs with discerning taste buds would have all sorts of condiments.
An idea from a chat
What should one do with old neckties? “It is actually such a waste to recycle them like used clothes,” said Margaret Leung, Founder of Les Beatitudes (LBA). She explained that many neckties are made with fine fabric, and it would be a pity to treat them as used clothes and shred them up with other apparel items. No wonder she likened it as the old saying: burning a zither for fuel or cooking a crane for meat.
A senior executive in the banking sector, Leung founded the social enterprise purely by chance. “I was often the only woman in the room when we had corporate meetings.” She recalled gradually noticing the gender imbalance in her industry and beginning to think about women’s rights and interests. “Occupy Central” that took place later gave her the determination to set up LBA, in a bid to heal the wounds of society.
LBA recycles used neckties and transforms them into handbags, purses and accessories of different styles. “My decision to recycle old neckties came by chance during a chat with a male friend.” The idea of reusing old neckties came up when she saw her friend’s necktie. The LBA product concept thus took root.
Androgynous beauty
Leung has worked with social workers for many years. This connection enables her to recruit a group of grassroots women. Many of them have demanding family commitments which prevent them from taking ordinary jobs, let alone getting connected with the outside world.
Leung feels that to live up to its Chinese name, part of which literally means “connecting hearts”, LBA should connect men and women from all walks of life. The English word “tie” also means connecting, which is a lovely coincidence. In fact, many neckties are made with quality materials with eye-catching colors and patterns, and their small size makes them very easy to handle. Just ideal for a small social enterprise like LBA.
Being part of history and earning a decent living
Leung thinks it is essential to rediscover Hong Kong if we are to heal its wounds. With this idea in mind, the LBA production team’s designs feature mostly Hong Kong’s famous landmarks. Some even have descriptive text to narrate the history behind the feature scenes.
Unlike ordinary charitable organizations, social enterprises seek profit for sustainable operation while shouldering social responsibility. A veteran member of the banking sector, Leung knows this too well. LBA therefore produces up-market products instead of offering low prices.
Long awaited appreciation
Leung says LBA attracted some sarcastic or bitter remarks. These critics did not think their products would do well in the market. She indirectly through a kind supporter pleaded Carrie Lam to use an LBA handbag in fireworks theme. To her surprise, Lam said yes and attended the HKSAR reunification 20th anniversary fireworks display ceremony with that handbag.
LBA has many plans for the future. Near-term activities include co-organizing events with Hysan, while longer-term projects include exhibitions, publications and workshops. It is never easy to make right existing social ills, but the first move is paramount. Who would have thought that a flimsy necktie can unfold marvelous opportunities?
