Sri Lankan accessories and neckwear start up MOZ has introduced an innovative range of neckties made out of locally hand-woven fabrics. These neckties have a luxurious texture, and closely resemble Italian Grenadine ties. MOZ heritage collection neckties are currently sold at company’s own online retail store (https://tiesandbows.com/categories/handwoven-fabric), and at several high-end retail stores in Sri Lanka.

Although Sri Lanka is known for producing high quality undergarments and sportswear, it is hardly known to making neckties. In fact Sri Lanka is an importer of neckties –mainly from China.

Current MOZ Heritage neckwear line is limited to fabrics made out of polyester yarn. But Indika Hettiarachchi, the founder of MOZ says, they are doing trials with natural yarn such as silk and wool fabrics which is essential to cater to international premium neckwear market. At present MOZ mostly use excess yarn from other garment factories.

Although Sri Lanka’s hand-weaving industry dates back to more than 2,500 years, and has its own unique weaving tradition called “dumbara weaving”, hand-loom industry remains disorganized, and barely caters to modern needs. MOZ neckties is a pioneering venture according to Mr. M.J.N. Muthunayaka, a Senior official at the Department of Textile Industries, the official state agency that oversee the hand-loom industry in the country which has supported MOZ to develop fabrics.

According to Hettiarachchi, a former Private Equity Investment professional, many skilled hand-weavers are leaving the industry, and young people are reluctant to enter the handloom industry due lack of good income potential. Diversifying into high value products such as Neckties can help sustain the industry according to him.  MOZ has provided good income opportunities for young female weavers who have completed the handloom training programs conducted by the state run Handloom Weaving Training Centers.