Boston

Chicago

Newport

New York

Washington

San Francisco

London

Florence

Paris

Rome

TerraTies Site

CIVITAS
A brief history

Lori Geissenhainer finally and successfully brought together all of her life long interests into a single design. Maps, world history, textiles, color, urban design and architecture. What could possibly embody these varied interests? A line of pure silk neckties and scarves printed with city plans.

Educated as an architect at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, Lori practiced architecure and urban design for six years before altering her course and studying fashion design. In 1995 she started a small business designing women’s sportswear. While working on a collection one evening, a friend who shared her studio space was busy cutting up a number of urban plans to format into a book. As the strips of paper fell to the floor, Lori noticed that they made beautiful abstract patterns and, holding them up to her collar, thought they would make wonderful neckties.

A few years later, she has successfully built a collection of neckties and scarves depicting the cities of Rome, Paris, Florence, London, Chicago, New York, San Francisco, Washington and Boston. They are currently carried by museum stores, gift shops and catalogs. They make the perfect gift for people who have a soft spot for a favorite city and the memories they hold.

Looking forward, Lori plans not only to add new cities to her line but to expand the products she produces to include pillows, duvet covers, placemats and napkins. She continues to do research on new city plans while enjoying the work of marketing the existing collection.