Why did you start Rooey Knots?
I started Rooey Knots because I wanted to create something completely original and one-of-a-kind. In a market full of fast fashion and mass produced products, it’s important we provide our customers with just the opposite; sustainable, high quality, unique products.
How did you come up with the idea?
The idea came to me in college when I was wearing all black. I needed a little color and had these two scarves that seemingly did not match. I wove them around an already existing headband and wore it to class. I received a great response from my classmates and felt inspired to create more. Instead of scarves, I chose to work with ties because my father was cleaning out his closet and I loved the prints and patterns of his ties.
How did you come up with the name?
Rooey was my (Gareth) childhood nickname. My Mom used to call me Rooey, as in little Kangaroo. When it came time to name my business, I didn’t want to use my own name and there is a British designer named Gareth (Gareth Pugh). Knots was added because of the braided, woven, and knotted nature of the designs.
What is the process of making a headband?
The process varies depending on the style headband I'm creating. I usually find one tie and decide which style it should be based on weight, feel and look of the tie. I find a match for it, begin to cut and sew and then add elastic and a vintage button to complete the product.
Where do you get your ties from?
I’ve always been a big thrift shopper so I source a lot of our ties from local vintage shops and thrift stores. Often times customer's have ties that they give us in exchange for a few products.
Where do the names of the headbands come from?
We named the styles after characters in the classic American Novel, Catcher in the Rye. It was a favorite book of mine in high school and we liked the idea of the products, which are made and designed in America, being named after a classic book.
Can we send you our own ties to create a headband or accessory out of?
Yes! We love to custom make products. We can make you something out of a loved one's ties or you can send us ties you purchased on your own that would like paired together.