t0ybreaker

DETHLAB + 1 : spring 2008 LIVE mix

2008-04-24T12:28:00.001-04:00

We interrupt the usual tie-chatter to bring you a delicious treat, fresh from the necktie baroness and her two favorite models!

Download new LIVE mix by Dethlab +1
[93mb, .m4a format]

Cocks on Techno Blvd.

Tracklisting:

DETHLAB + 1 : spring 2008 LIVE mix

DETHLAB mashup: The Producers: "Keep it Gay" vs. Homotronic: "U Look Like a Gay"
Rude 66: "The Strings of Death"
Lowfish: "Domination Ver. 2"
Josh Dahlberg: "Interloop"
Kiko: "Slave of My Mind"
Sascha Funke: "Kuschelrock"
Apparat - "Arcadia (Telefon Tel Aviv RMX)"
The Reflecting Skin: "Traffickers"
Das Bierbeben: "Sturm Bricht Los"
Deutsche Amerikanishe Freundschaft: "Tanz Mit Mir"
Adriano Canzian: "You Excites Me So Much!"
The Presets: "My People"
Tomas Andersson: "Washing Up - Ttim Deluxe Mix"
SebastiAn: "Smoking Kills"
Synapse: "Dust-Mite (Edit)"
DETHLAB mashup: Ambivalent: "R U OK" vs. Gershon Kingsley: "Popcorn"
Zoo Brazil: "Face"
Richard Bartz: "Symphonies of Midnight"
DETHLAB mashup outro: "The Producers: "Keep it Gay" vs. Homotronic: "U Look Like a Gay"

AND!

REMEMBER, this SUNDAY night, Apr. 27: DISCO SECRET
Music by Dethlab +1.

Sunday 4/27 at the Detroit Eagle
1501 Holden St, Detroit, MI 48208
$2 drinks, guarded parking, leather.

PRESS: Crain's Detroit Business

2008-04-21T11:13:00.002-04:00

Photo credit: NATHAN SKID/CRAIN'S DETROIT BUSINESS

If you think most ties are boring, you're not alone — designer Bethany Shorb agrees.

Visit the Web site for Cyberoptix TieLab, Shorb's online boutique, and you'll be greeted with a promise in the form of a slogan: “Ties that don't suck.”

Shorb's neckwear venture began as an afterthought back in 2006. Completing a screen-printing project, the Cranbrook Academy of Art-trained artist decided to make a tie for fiance Michael Doyle...

See the full article at Crain's Detroit Business.

On swinging and parachute jumping

2008-04-21T09:24:00.003-04:00

We've been busy here all weekend printing and shooting new designs for Summer - these are hot off the presses and just released today!

Who doesn't like Coney Island? We sure do. Sadly developers will soon have their way with it as a whole, but this iconic Brooklyn structure will thankfully never see the wrecking ball due to it's status on the National Register of Historic Places. Show your love for Brooklyn with our new Coney Island Parachute Jump necktie. Our litigious society will probably prevent it from ever being operational again as an amusement attraction (silly modern safety standards) ... it sure must have been fun in it's day.

Also in a similar vein of jumping, swinging and general tomfoolery is our Swinger tie. (Poo poo on double entendres, we like triple and quadruple entendres around these parts!) We've seen this chandelier glyph adorn just about everything in designed goods over the past year or so - from wall graphics to sketchbooks to t-shirts - we decided to have a little fun with it.

for once, a post other than ties!

2008-04-18T03:12:00.000-04:00

But we all look good in them...

Music by Dethlab +1.

THIS WILL BE FUN. YOU WILL COME

Yes, it is a Sunday, but it takes place in a seriously most awesome bar. Yes, it is technically a gay bar, but be not afraid, Sunday nights are dance nights for all folks bent and not, assless chaps not required. Appreciated...though... :P

PLUS two dollar drinks, who can argue with that?

If you've never been, it's nice and dark with a good sound system, security guard for parking, it's CLEAN and not GROSS like so many other fine establishments in our fair city...so don't be scared.

A special mix for you forthcoming...

xox

Some love for Detroit from Mr. Sterling...

2008-03-25T16:11:00.001-04:00

Beyond the Beyond: Toybreaker: Cyberoptix TieLab

Best review from Bruce Sterling ever:

(((A great tie to wear when you're a Detroit mayor in court for imaginary sex crimes. Or on the Martha Stewart Show, live from the slammer.)))

2008-02-27T02:22:00.000-05:00

February 27, 2008

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Work of Local Detroit Designer to Appear on The Martha Stewart Show: Highlights of Etsy.com

Local Detroit designer Bethany Shorb (aka Toybreaker) is to be featured on The Martha Stewart Show on Friday, February 29th on WXYZ Channel 7. The segment can also be seen at primetime on Fine Living Network Monday, March 3 at 8pm and midnight Eastern Time. The show features movers and shakers as well as everyday people who've accomplished extraordinary things. This entire segment of The Martha Stewart Show highlights the best of Etsy.com, touted as "Your place to buy and sell all things handmade." Shorb's men's accessory line, "The Cyberoptix TieLab" is featured along with the work of fifteen other successful independent designers also part of Etsy.com.

Conceived in early 2005, Etsy is an online marketplace for buying and selling all things handmade. It was built for consumers conscious of the true value of handmade goods and their creators, as well as to give all independent artists the technology and information they need to make a living, making things. Etsy's intention is to offer viable alternatives to mass-produced objects in the world marketplace, and to encourage consumers to be aware of the social and environmental implications of their purchases.

Formally trained in sculpture and photography but now focusing on product-based work full-time, Shorb received her MFA from Cranbrook Academy of Art in 2001 and BFA from Boston University in 1998. She founded the TieLab in 2006 after noticing a void in creative yet sophisticated neckwear. Based in the Eastern Market area of Detroit, Shorb designs and hand-screnprints each necktie, selling both to individual clients and filling wholesale accounts to shops across Metro Detroit and nearly 100 boutiques and museum stores across five continents. Her studio currently occupies a portion of the top-floor of an old furniture factory and will soon be expanding to an over 3000 square foot space on a neighboring floor.

Shorb runs her stand-alone web store, The Cyberoptix TieLab (http://cyberoptix.com) in tandem with her Etsy shop (toybreaker.etsy.com). "The Etsy shop has been a great boon to my business," says Shorb, "it has introduced a much broader customer base than I was unable to reach before. Etsy also supports a strong sense of community among both buyers and sellers - we are all able to collectively learn more about our art and good business practices." Brooklyn-based Etsy now has 48 full-time employees, approximately 650,000 registered users, 60,000 of whom are individual artists selling more than 950,000 of their handmade creations.

Echoing the core environmental and socially conscious values of Etsy, Cyberoptix strongly believes that a designer's ethics need not inform nor limit the look of the object. "There is always a more reasonable alternative to the historically toxic trade of screen printing - these alternative processes can also perform better on fine fabrics. It may not be as financially viable in the short run, but the long-term effects on workers' health and our surroundings are invaluable," says Shorb. Cyberoptix is committed to being a solvent-free shop and only use nontoxic, water-based ink, a practice uncommon especially in high-volume workshops.

Selections from the Cyberoptix TieLab can be found locally at Naka in Ferndale; The Museum of Contemporary Art in Detroit; Design 99 in Hamtramck, and The Store at Cranbrook Art Museum in Bloomfield Hills.

POOL Tradeshow recap

2008-02-18T03:26:00.002-05:00

Damnit, I never post anymore...uncut for your pleasure! :P

POOL Tradeshow (part of MAGIC) Feb 12-14, Las Vegas Convention Center

I had the best helpers anyone could ever dream of having - we thoroughly rocked the work hard play hard work ethic. ;) Thankfully for the first time in my life, I had the forethought to ask some people to help with the booth that I knew I'd get along well with in potentially stressful situations. I owe them the world for keeping me very happy and very sane. It's no secret that I'm a Type A from hell; I've attempted to do much smaller-scale shows alone and it was all kinds of not fun. I finally feel as if I'm attempting to learn from experiences and not make the same, stupid mistakes 12 times. For those ever thinking of doing something like this, a tradeshow threesome is the minimum way to go, otherwise you're left standing around or running around like the proverbial chicken sans head. Load in and tear-down are some of the most vile, fast-paced/race against the clock events, but with the right amount of hands, it can almost be fun.

Backstory on the BFF co-conspirators - Amalia is my old college roommate from Boston University who is a published Mayan archaeologist currently based in New Mexico - since it wasn't all that far of a plane trip, it seemed like a great time to actually see each other, which sadly is something we never get to do. WTF does Mayan archaeology have to do with menswear? Who cares! She has this uncanny ability to get away with just about anything, so I knew we had a great asset. Speaking of assets, she's also fiercely hot and has an IQ of about 612. Hot and smart do good booth help make!

David is a fellow photographer/electro musician/curator/consumer of all things most rad also based in Detroit. He is involved in about eleventy billion art and music projects. Mr. Blunk has been the face of the TieLab along with Mike in Sweatshop Boys Published in the "POOL Art + Fashion Volume 4" - which was given out to all buyers at the show. Of course the book was displayed prominently at our table and tapemeasure strangulation pantomime was de riguer. Also see aforementioned fiercely hot and IQ of about 612.

Intros complete - we crammed more work and play into 5 days than I ever thought possible.

Day 1: Arrival at the Las Vegas Hilton from McCarran Airport. Fear and Loathing style sunglasses...check! Travel was pretty uneventful - flight wasn't too too late and we scored an exit row seat.

Before fetching all of our 8 boxes from the business center we decided to head down to Quark's Bar - the Star Trek Experience is located inside the Hilton. Amalia got a little fresh with some aliens:

Tribbles were also procured.

First night and not a moment too soon to start having fun, we bounced over to the Palms Hotel and went up to Ghostbar. Located on the 55th floor, the views are beyond amazing. The music wasn't, which was to be expected, unfortunately, but it was still totally worth seeing. Amalia scored free drinks, because, well, it is Amalia.

We headed back down to the main level and got an incredible sushi snack at Little Buddha and then went to the other 55 story tower - the Playboy Club - for the 944 Magazine party.

It was vile...truly truly vile, but we left nose and face prints on the glass and made fun of all the orange-tanned top-heavy things and booty danced to some atrocious music. Then we found *another* club on top of that one, Moon, and continued the absurdity. It was what it was - glaringly tacky and gross, but for the first night, I think we did well.

Day 2: Arrival at the convention center, we walked around in circles. A lot. With all our stuff. "Is this where we register?" Yep, right here. (wait in line for 45 minutes) "Nope, not here...you have to go ALLLLL THE WAY OVER THERE. (get "there") No, not here...you have to go.... this game went on for a long, long time but we finally got it all sorted out. Damned virginal tradeshow experiences.

Finally arrived at the right place and our lovely David got right to hanging wallpaper - we'd have been wicked screwed had we not someone who could reach over 8 feet up! Ladders = union labor = no.

We were all tired and probably a little cranky so no carousing before the first night of the show - we did get amazing tapas at a little place off-strip called Firefly. Trip advisor steered us very well.

Day 3: (Day 1 of POOL show) Our booth! The S(eco)nd part of the show was great, and I felt very fortunate to have been considered. The bamboo flooring was not only aesthetically pleasing and didn't necessitate stupid carpet rental, but it seemed friendly to stand on for long hours. It was so refreshing to see other brands that embraced all facets of socially responsible and environmentally friendly practices, not just a bevy of American Apparel organic cotton t-shirts.

Detail of neckties in specimin jars - I really wanted to do the display this way, but for future reference, traveling across the country with antique glass is a bad, bad idea.

It was a long day for everyone - and they even had SUMO Fatboys for catnapping, of which Amalia took full advantage.

At this point we were sorely in need of some good music, my only complaint thus far was the music inside POOL - the bank of speakers for the entire convention all was strategically placed right over my booth - normally that would be grounds for wooting but with the R&B tripe that was being played at +11 all day, I was less than amused. We heard there was a POOL party at the Hard Rock Hotel - we feared more orange bimbos and P Diddy or Puffy or whatever the hell that hiphop crap was, but we were proven wrong in the best of ways. It was the VICE Magazine party, and I still don't know who the dj was (Huffer?) and it was like 5 hours of Dethlab. It couldn't have been better. The club itself was dark and opulent in the best of ways.

David also got shot as a Vice do.

We just had SO MUCH FUN. Whatever triggered me to be a stressed-out pain in the ass got broken, we all danced like complete idiots and everything was fan-effing-tastic from then on. Something got purged, maybe it was all the good music (?) and the rest of the show, although still craploads of work, seemed painless.

Day 4: (POOL day 2) David and Amalia giggling at pictures from the night before.

I met a lot of new buyers and connected with many previously only encountered over email, it was wonderful to finally put all the names with real faces. Press contacts were made and all in all it was a very positive experience.

More captions soon....also in need of more photos, especially day 4 Why did I forget to take photos? (Sushi dinner, Amalia to airport (SAD!!!) Aoki at Prive, K:rave (gaybar) MGM...)

Day 5: (POOL day 3) Booth teardown...so sad! Many, many, MANY thanks to Amalia's local-ish friend Louis who hooked us up and helped us out in immeasurable ways. (Louis is seen throwing goat.) Show was over at 5, this was lights out at 6. (!!!) Those convention center guys run a tight ship.

A quick disco nap was had...no sleeping and staying in (although tempting) during the last night in Vegas. That would have been laaaaaaaaame.

Wandering about the strip after teardown...headed into the Bellagio for a quick dinner before more dancing - ended up at FIX by total accident, I have a terrible habit of just stumbling upon 5 star restaurants. Ooops!. ;) FIX was designed by the Graftlab, also of the Pink Project in New Orleans.

Lobster tacos! Holy crap was the food good there - yellowtail sashimi, lobster tacos and Blue Point oysters. Perfect pre-dancing snack.

We went to Prive for the second time - Diplo played. We were well taken care of by the folks that work there. Many thanks! :) Their sound is incredible, I haven't had my guts rattled like that since the Control Party in Detroit.

After closing down Prive, we wandered back around Paris and the Bellagio, because they are so ridiculous they rule beyond words. Liberace vomit. I played a table game for the first time, blackjack and I get along famously. I won a little bit and ran. :)

All good band names, dj names and fashion lines are conceived on Sharpie and napkin.

POOL is just one week away...

2008-02-05T02:21:00.000-05:00

...and we're frantically preparing all kinds of new stuff!

*** Come see the Cyberoptix TieLab at POOL, we will be at BOOTH #601. *** Plus, meet our lovely assistants David and Amalia, they'll charm your pants off. (Really)

We'll be debuting our new line of BSD luxury silk neckwear. See a sneak preview of the new styles here.

Caviar: Beluga; Salmon; Wasabi Tobikko

Ammo Belt [Tie]

Terminal Illness: Avian flu virii attach and replicate at the nodes of six conjoined international airport terminal diagrams.

Trainwreck: Kaleidoscopic Union Pacific Big Boys wreck harder than... [insert dj name here]

s(eco)nd, the newest launch of POOL TRADESHOW, made its debut in August 2007, focusing on the new breed of environmentally and socially conscious organizations emerging worldwide. “It only takes a second to change the world,” says Mindy Weiner, creator of s(eco)nd and Director of Operations for POOL TRADESHOW. “We now have an opportunity to lead by example on THE issue of our time. The fashion industry has been working to raise awareness for the last few seasons, but the timing is right for s(eco)nd and our stand on environmental issues. s(eco)nd will allow us to take a second look at how we do business, from an ecological standpoint, and will encourage our audience to rethink their basic day to day habits. We are proud to take a stand and to help pave the way for greater change.”

POOL TRADESHOW, held twice a year in Las Vegas, showcases the best emerging designers and new products ranging from fashion and accessories to a wide variety of lifestyle products. Designed for the directional boutique market, POOL carefully curates each show, balancing fresh talent with established brands. Each line participating at POOL is pre-screened to allow buyers more time to place orders.

POOL Tradeshow

2008-01-28T09:35:00.000-05:00

Come see us at the POOL Tradeshow, we will be at BOOTH #601.
POOL takes place at the Las Vegas Convention Center, Feb. 12-14 2008.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Detroit-based neckwear designer, The Cyberoptix TieLab, has been selected to appear at POOL in Las Vegas, February 12-14, 2008. The TieLab is confirmed to appear at the exclusive S(eco)nd area of the POOL show, highlighting environmentally responsible design and manufacturing.

POOL is where the visionaries of retail come to scout hot new items for the boutique market. From emerging brands, to the world’s best graphic artists POOL is where designers and thinkers come to shape the trends.

Cyberoptix has been making custom clothing for stage and film since 2001. The TieLab division was founded a few years later by principal designer, Bethany Shorb. With a market flooded with boring corporate neck nooses and novelty ties, the Lab aims to fill a void within the fashion conscious 18-35 year old market, offering a subtly subversive, well designed, handmade alternative to the men's uniform staple while strictly adhering to ethical manufacturing processes.

"Clichéd use of green tones coupled with faux chipboard to do not make a "green" product. We strongly believe that a designer's ethics need not inform nor limit the look of the object, rather they must fuel it's making. Neither bales of hay, nor burlap nor any other fashionable, eco-hippified trappings dress our design decisions. In the garment industry, we all know that screen printing is notoriously environmentally unfriendly. We are doing what we can within our means, re-thinking tired industry standards to make our trade better. We are a 100% solvent-free shop -- although far more time-consuming and far less cost-effective, we only use nontoxic, water-based ink rather than Plastisols," says 31 year-old entrepreneur Shorb.

POOL has an industry reputation as a launching pad for emerging brands that soon become the popular standard for specialty boutiques and leading retailers around the world. POOL features Women’s Contemporary & Young Contemporary, Women’s Accessories & Footwear, Men’s Contemporary & Streetwear and Men’s Accessories & Footwear.

s(eco)nd, the newest launch of POOL TRADESHOW, made its debut in August 2007, focusing on the new breed of environmentally and socially conscious organizations emerging worldwide. “It only takes a second to change the world,” says Mindy Weiner, creator of s(eco)nd and Director of Operations for POOL TRADESHOW. “We now have an opportunity to lead by example on THE issue of our time. The fashion industry has been working to raise awareness for the last few seasons, but the timing is right for s(eco)nd and our stand on environmental issues. s(eco)nd will allow us to take a second look at how we do business, from an ecological standpoint, and will encourage our audience to rethink their basic day to day habits. We are proud to take a stand and to help pave the way for greater change.” POOL TRADESHOW, held twice a year in Las Vegas, showcases the best emerging designers and new products ranging from fashion and accessories to a wide variety of lifestyle products.

DETH From Above Volume 3: A Pattern of Violence

2008-01-09T22:56:00.000-05:00

It's usually all ties all the time here, but in anticipation of our upcoming mini-North American tour with Solvent and Lowfish, it is time for a new mix. Plus loud music in the studio always makes the working time far more enjoyable! Hopefully we'll be picking up a slot at the POOL Tradeshow in Vegas in Feb.

The third installment of our Dethlab mix trilogy

A Pattern of Violence
[MP4 format, 74.2 MB]

01. Mathew Leutwyler - Jovencitas
02. Das Glow - Cathedrale
03. Daniel Wilhelm - Alster Dream
04. Markus Lange - Ruhestorung Plattenbau (Oxia Remix)
05. Alex D'Elia - Biancaluna
06. Namito + Martin Eyerer - Quipa (Etienne De Crecy Remix)
07. Savas Pascalidis - Boccaccio Life
08. Dibaba - In Your Face is the Place
09. Cirez D - Tigerstyle
10. Lutzenkirchen - A View To the Sea
11. Fergie - Up & Over
12. Gui Boratto - Tipologia (Lucy Remix)
13. The Shock - Manhattan (Einmusik Remix)
14. Stephan Bodzin, Swoop - Superlicious
15. Kardinal, Lowkey - Zombie's Night
16. Etienne De Crecy - Funk

(Top 10 of 2007 still in the works, about 5 of these are representative of that forthcoming list.)

It starts off nice, but fear not, it'll hit you in the face with a brick soon enough. This is a slight deviation a bit from the other two which were primarily of Mr. Burnlab's curating. A little more dark ambient and French electro-house this time.

Listen to the two previous installments here.

A Steampunk Wedding

2007-12-05T09:14:00.000-05:00

Our good friends Anditron and Alan recently got married in Chicago and had a beautiful, unique DIY ceremony - and their story and photos just made boingboing!

A Steampunk Wedding on BoingBoing. The TieLab was honored to have made their custom neckwear:

Also featured in Offbeat Bride:Taffeta-Free Alternatives for Independent Brides.

We have special wedding package discounts for you and yours (and a small army, if need be) to tie one on.

Cyberoptix for THE KILLERS!

2007-11-29T20:09:00.000-05:00

Cyberoptix for THE KILLERS! Win a limited edition hand-screened tie and cd!

Enter to win at Ultimate-Guitar.com.

Contest winner will get The Killers custom made hand screened tie as well as a copy of “Sawdust” CD. Winner will be announced Dec. 28th, 2007 thru Ultimate-Guitar.Com website.

The Killers | Cyberoptix.

Sawdust, the first collection of previously unreleased session tracks, B-sides and rarities to be released by, Grammy-nominated, MTV VMA Award-winning, multi-platinum Island Records group The Killers. The album was completed by the band at a recording studio in New York’s Hell’s Kitchen, where they worked with Rock And Roll Hall Of Famer Lou Reed.

Big surprises on the 17-track Sawdust include “Under The Gun” (the B-side of 2004’s “Somebody Told Me”); “Move Away” (from theSpiderman 3 soundtrack); and “Glamorous Indie Rock & Roll” (from their Hot Fuss debut album). Two notable cover versions are: Kenny Rogers & the First Edition’s “Ruby, Don’t Take Your Love to Town” (B-side of 2005’s “Smile Like You Mean It”) and Dire Straits’ “Romeo and Juliet” (B-side of 2007’s “For Reasons Unknown” from The Killers’ RIAA platinum second album Sam’s Town, released October 2006). And previously unreleased tracks including: “Leave the Bourbon On the Shelf” (from the Hot Fuss sessions) and “Sweet Talk” (from the Sam’s Town sessions).

Cyber(optix) Monday

2007-11-26T13:08:00.000-05:00

New styles for the holidays...because we're nuts (and we love you.)

We've got two new editions of last Spring's super popular Whiplash series for All Purpose - now available in standard and narrow microfiber, and standard silk. These were previously only available in our skinny width, but due to everyone and their mother, brother and creepy uncle asking for more sizes, we've made them. So git your Exhaust Pipes and Engines!

Exhaust Pipes v2, $30-$40 | Engine v2, $30-$40

Each comes packaged all tidy, ready for gift-giving!

We're cranking stuff out up here in the great white, sleety, nasty, gray north...busy little fingers keep warm, right? The TieLab has come up with all kinds of new designs just in time for the holidays to delight the men in your life who are usually relegated to lame-o presents. (+ Lots of new styles in SKINNY TIES for us girls too.)

Transformer Pole, $30-$40 | All-Seeing Eye, $30-$40

In addition to all the new stuff, all our best-sellers are still in stock, including our Plaguesley, Catstooth, Bombs Away! and Hive.

We're now in over 70 stores across four continents, so if you need instant gratification and don't like waiting for the post, check out our list of exclusive retailers to see if one is nearby you! For Detroit locals, we just dropped off an armload to the MOCAD shop.

Computer Love and Refinery29

2007-10-29T12:15:00.000-04:00

Huge thanks to Computer Love for the feature last week!

Cyberoptix Tie Lab a.k.a. Bethany Shorb, the original purveyor of "ties that don't suck", has just released her fall//winter line of neckwear for boys and girls - in 100% silk, deluxe microfiber and hand-woven Fair-Trade silk scarves...

Also, a reminder to check us out on Refinery29 shops - see specifically the lovely folks at All Purpose.

Working closely with other artists and designers to create an organic mix of merchandise, including 4VOO men's skincare products, ties by Cyberoptix, and accessories by Citizen:Citizen, All Purpose has also opened the door to special collaborations and exclusive customizations for patrons who, Tomassetti deems "the creative non-conformist."

Chicago Tribune and new shops

2007-10-26T12:55:00.000-04:00

Sharp Dressed Models: Sophie + Joe

Press!

All tied up

Look, let's not make this a big deal. The whole idea behind ties becoming a subtle fashion statement among men under 35 is that they no longer need to be on their way to a job interview or a wedding to snake one around their necks. So, the next time you see a young guy sporting a tie, refrain from the blush-inducing 20-questions routine and just let it slide so he can sink comfortably into his newfound casual, hip elegance... [ Chicago Tribune, 10.25.07]

Big thanks to the Chicago Tribune for their review of our ties at Hazel in Chicago. Unfortunately it doesn't seems as if the photos made it to the web edition, but we can assure you that it is a lovely shop, and you should definitely stop on by!

We've welcomed a ton of new shops to our stockist family, most recently, Trueffelschwein in Berlin - ties should be arriving at their shop in about two weeks.

For Portlanders, we also welcome Tender Loving Empire - our ties should be there in about a week. We also have a HUGE shipment of new styles coming to Redux, 811 East Burnside suite 110.

2007-10-18T03:29:00.000-04:00

Models: Sophie, Joe
Wardrobe (capelet, dress, jacket, tie): Cyberoptix
Stylist: Bethany Shorb
Photographer: Bethany Shorb
Location: Detroit

This is more of the Argyle Key pattern - shot on Saturday.

It lives + chemlab

2007-10-17T02:03:00.000-04:00

I'll be resurrecting this space after a few month hiatus - it'll morph into the official Cyberoptix Tie Lab blog (which is what it was becoming anyway) - I may even have one of the fabulous interns take on some additional writing so there is actual content and not me just whining about being too busy to publish any.

Growing pains.

Things are pretty exciting around here and we'd like to share. Sharing is nice.

FluoroScrew. We've collaborated with Chemlab to design and fabricate their 2007 North American tour wardrobe and accessories. We've made custom ties, limited run t-shirts and intricate suit coats - here's your chance to get your own! A limited run will also be available at the merch booth at their live shows.

"FluoroScrew" is a hybrid design between Bethany Shorb, Michael Doyle and Bob Nixon, an expansion on our Screw tie.

xox

Bethany

Plaguesley

2007-10-13T02:16:00.001-04:00

Model: Kristi
Stylist: Bethany Shorb
Wardrobe: Vintage
Tie: Cyberoptix
Photo: Bethany Shorb
Location: Detroit

This is Part two of the last photoshoot downtown. More on Saturday!

The Black Plague causing bacterium, Yersinia Pestis has begun to invade the Land of Traditional Paisley, thus forming the mutant strain, Plaguesley. Original illustration, hand drawn from an electron microscope scan of Y. Pestis.

This is our second in the Disturbing Patterns series - where preppy tie patterns go wrong. More to come.

Catstooth

2007-10-10T02:14:00.000-04:00

Models: Kristi and Zack
Stylist: Bethany Shorb
Capelet and jacket: Cyberoptix
Ties: Cyberoptix
Photo: Bethany Shorb
Location: Detroit

This is the result of yesterday's photoshoot downtown - being in the studio full-time is by far, the smartest thing I've ever done. One more Disturbing Pattern to come tomorrow. Think black. (Think death, too.)

Disturbing Patterns: Catstooth. Just give your average houndstooth a quarter turn and add some shifty little eyes, all the sudden you have a whole different animal! Beware, they've evolved and are much more likely to eat you in your sleep than the ol' loyal hound.

MI local

2007-09-29T02:09:00.000-04:00

Hive necktie, available in narrow and standard widths.

We all know waiting for shipping is just about the most annoying thing ever (well, not for me, I hate driving around for hours, I'd prefer it hand delivered by the ever-lovely postal carrier...) ANYWAY...

We have some sweet new shops carrying the Cyberoptix TieLab, right in metro Detroit!

For Detroit-area dwellers, visit Design99 in Hamtramck. We just brought an armload down to Design99 last week, including many of our new styles. Created by husband and wife team Gina Reichert and Mitch Cope with the purpose of showcasing local and regional talent, Design99 is an awesome new gallery/home furnishings/architecture studio located in the familiar old Threads space - and the falafel place across the street is killer.

For Ferndale/Royal Oak denizens, check out Naka in Ferndale. They always have a great selection and have cute jewelry section that my picky self even likes.

And for the North folks, see The Store at Cranbrook Art Museum - we'll be doing some special projects with the Cranbrook Store as well as debut our new Fair-Trade handwoven/hand-screened silk scarves.

Need something you don't see at one of those shops - make an appointment to come up to the studio! We're located just on the edge of Eastern Market, Detroit and are usually there from about 11am to Stupid Late every day. Come see what we're up to, we may even have punch and cookies.

Strangle necktie, available in skinny, narrow and standard widths.

URB Magazine

2007-09-13T02:11:00.000-04:00

Pg. 48, URB Magazine, Sept/Oct. 2007. Vol. 17 No. 149
On newstands now, pick up a copy. :)

Photos: Bethany Shorb
Words: Michael Doyle

See full MOTOR set
See selected Detroit Urban Exploring set.

2007-06-11T10:53:00.000-04:00

The TieLab has made a special, 3" narrow cravat just for the Motor, Goudron and Dethlab show at CAID, this Saturday, June 16:

Hand-screened, super soft microfiber, black pearl and red water-based ink - it'll debut at the show for only $20, and $35 thereafter, if any are left.

There will be a selection of other items to tie around your neck, perfect if you forgot about ~~national tie giving day~~ er...Father's Day the next morning...then he'll forgive you for smelling like whiskey while smooching grandma. ;)

Psst: it looks just like the flyer!

MOTOR live at CAID, Saturday June 16th

2007-06-06T20:18:00.000-04:00

JUNE, 16 2007: MOTOR[Novamute, London/Paris] LIVE!
at CAID: 5141 Rosa Parks Blvd., Detroit
10:00 PM | $10
GOUDRON[I.T./Ersatz Audio, Detroit] live
DETHLAB [Toybreaker/Dorkwave, Detroit] DJs
DETRONIK (video installation)

MOTOR's performance last summer has been cited as the best live show in the history of Oslo (arguably even over Vitalic!) We are extraordinarily pleased to bring Bryan, Mr. No and Hugo back to Detroit, to the legendary CAID/Detroit Contemporary space.

"People have this tame image of live electronic music and we go out there and smash things up and spit in your face," states Bryan Black. For the man who used to programme Prince's keyboards as an in house technician at Paisley Park Studios in the 90s [and founding member of H3LLB3NT, Haloblack and XLover] knowingly confirms, "we make more noise than a guitar can make and that's what we enjoy doing." Whilst electronic live acts have merged further into the anonymity of the DJ booth over recent years, MOTOR guzzle petrol, bellow toxic fumes and roar from the stage as all three band members wrestle with vocal duties and (alter) egos over their instruments. Forging live gig energy into the sonic envelope of a club environment has enabled MOTOR to play live 'gig' tours with Nitzer Ebb across America and Europe as well as landmark club venues such as Frankfurt's Cocoon and Paris's Rex and festivals throughout Europe like Pukkelpop and Lowlands. - Mute

Motor's new LP Unhuman out now.

Goudron is a modern craftsman of synthesis, structure and song. His music seems choreographed to a film, breaking down, starting up, fluctuating and adhering to rules that make his music sound like no other. His unique 'sound' comes in part from the fact that he modifies a lot of his gear himself; it also comes in part from the
fact that he knows his machines inside and out. Watching him live, he masterfully manipulates analog synths without schematics - an amazing skill to those that truly know vintage analog gear. - Ersatz Audio

Detroit musician and visual artist Ron Zakrin [a.k.a. Goudron] shows that he is truly the King of the synth riffs, with music that is wholly synthetic, yet with all the energy of pure Detroit rock... From the music to the art on the sleeves it is all hand made. Ron is like Buckminster Fuller trapped inside the body of a character from SE Hinton's Over the Edge. Raw power. - I.T.

Goudron's new EP Stiletto out now.

2007-05-12T11:18:00.000-04:00

Just a quick note from the TieLab - we're gearing up on a campaign to dissuade the giving of bad ties for Father's Day (June 17). We think dads are pretty swell, so they should get swell ties, no? I'm not one for the maths, but that seems a pretty simple equation to me!

So head on over here for Ties That Don't Suck -if you have to wear one and you have to give one, you may as well have fun with that ever so maligned accessory!

Neck Noose:

Tired of being a corporate slave? At the end of your rope with boring office attire? Show your true feelings! Don't be A Frayed Knot to. Detailed rope print begins where the tie is knotted, so it looks as if you have a nice tidy rope around your neck. Dove grey, white or black ink on a range of colors and widths. We think the skinny version looks best.

We also love bad puns too. More coming soon.

Graduate Degree Show

2007-04-19T15:27:00.001-04:00

2007 Graduate Degree Exhibition
April 22 - May 11, 2007
ArtMembers' Opening
Saturday, April 21, 6-8pm

Established in 1932, Cranbrook Academy of Art's Graduate Program remains a "living studio of artistic invention" as envisioned by its founder, newspaper publisher and philanthropist George Booth.

Each April, as part of the requirements for earning either a Master of Fine Arts or Master of Architecture degree, the second-year Master's degree candidates present their thesis work in the annual Graduate Degree Exhibition.

Download .pdf of invite: front | back

Sneak peek - Installation in progress: