|
Silk Map Scarves:Practical and stylish too!By Lucy MossThe Montreal-based company 'Silk Road Marketing� produces a unique travel accessory: �Microsilk� silk scarves printed with attractive and usable city and regional maps. Stylish and reasonably priced, these map scarves would make a great gift for any map lover or fashion conscious traveler.
Silk Road Marketing also produce a range of personalized silk scarves such as Christmas and Valentine greetings and corporate designs. They are promoting silk scarves as a new advertising medium with the slogan �Say it with Silk!�. However, it is the Map Scarves that remain their signature product � an old idea elegantly adapted to modern needs. Text � Lucy Moss � Silk Road Marketing (Microsilk) Further Information:Silk Road Marketing �Microsilk� Map Scarves are available by mail order and from selected travel stores, bookstores and museum shops. Scarves cost US$20.95 (21") and US$14.95 (17"). Handkerchiefs cost US$9.95. Silk Road Marketing is currently running the following Special Offer: BUY 5 scarves and receive 1 FREE (Title of your choice in same size or smaller) Special prices are also available for corporate sales (minimum order of 50) |
|
TM
This may be the first time that silk map scarves have been marketed to
travelers and the general public, however, the concept is far from new.
Archaeological evidence from ancient Chinese tombs indicates that maps showing
trade routes were being drawn on pieces of silk as long ago as the second
century AD. Always popular with spies, silk maps proved to be a crucial
navigation tool during WWII when Allied pilots were issued with silk squares
printed with detailed maps of enemy territory. Due to these maps many thousands
of POWs managed to escape across enemy lines back to Allied territory.
Silk maps are superior to conventional paper maps in numerous ways. They are
extremely light, easily folded up and hidden away, or worn discreetly around the
neck. Moreover, they don�t tear easily and are not damaged by rain or immersion
in water. Today, savvy travelers are equally able to appreciate these benefits.
At times when you would prefer not to draw attention to the fact that you are a
tourist, a discreet silken scarf has obvious advantages over unwieldy and
eye-catching maps and guidebooks. And as a bonus they double as a stylish
accessory, give warmth against chilly breezes and are a fine souvenir of a trip.
Silk Road Marketing offers a range of more than 100 different maps, ranging
from major cities to Caribbean islands and from subway lines to vineyards. �The
best sellers are always Paris, London, New York and Rome�, says Pierre Lessard,
the company�s president, �but some collectors have bought our whole series of
maps! People buy them for a variety of reasons,� he explains, �as a practical
travel accessory, as a gift for a friend who is planning a trip, as a souvenir,
or simply because they like the concept�. The scarves are square and available
in two sizes - 21" (53cm) and 17" (43cm). An 11" (28cm) handkerchief is also
available. A slight disappointment is that, due to technical reasons, the
printed area on the scarves can be no larger than 11"x11" (or 11"x17", depending
on the design). Therefore the map design is surrounded by a wide border of cream
silk. This, however, does succeed in providing a nice contrast to the busy map
print and prevents the scarves from appearing overwhelming.