Super Bowl Sunday might have been 10 days ago, but it’s possible a few imbibed a bit and maybe as a result didn’t notice the the new kind of necktie an International Falls native and designer invented and was worn by broadcasters during the unofficial American holiday.
Eric Glennie, Falls High School class of ‘86, created “the congruent necktie,” according to an email from the Apple Valley, Minn., resident. “This a new look not seen before in men’s fashion,” he said.
Glennie said what makes his ties special is that they are designed so the knot stripes run in the same direction, a first for the form of neck wear dating back to the 1692, when princes supposedly rushing off to The Battle of Steinkirk hastily tied a cravat around their neck. According to paintings, the look still closely resembles today’s essential piece of male battle uniform, albeit nowadays much more likely for the corporate boardroom or courthouse.
According to Glennie, for the last century, the modern tie has had its stripes running in the opposite direction. That’s probably simply because a tie’s stripes or any other design for that matter is consistent throughout. By changing the design at the knot, he wrote, he made it possible to have seamless horizontal, vertical, diagonal and other combinations.
Twin Cities TV anchors and weathermen were the first to catch on through his salesmanship. In Minneapolis and St. Paul, Frank Vascellaro, Jeff Passolt, Ian Leonard, Don Shelby, Joe Schmidt, Jim Rich and Eric Perkins “wear my ties,” Glennie said.
Now, ESPN and other network and syndicated anchors, including those who covered the Super Bowl, wear his ties. The growing list includes Entertainment Tonight’s Mark Steines and The Insider’s Kevin Frazier.
NFL Hall of Fame player and coach and commentator Mike Ditka wears Glennie’s invention along with retired player and NBA analyst Shaquille O’ Neal, commentator and former coach Herm Edwards, former quarterback and commentator Ron Jaworski, ESPN Los Angeles anchor Neil Everett, former NHL coach and commentator Barry Melrose and CBS Los Angeles anchor Paul Magers, who was incredibly popular at KARE 11.
To take a look at his ties firsthand or buy one, go online to www.ericglennie.com. The patent is pending on his invention, according to the website.
