Bocconi University

Here's a pretty snappy school tie, from SDA Bocconi, the business school of Bocconi University in Milano. The glyph that's repeated in three colors throughout the tie is the school emblem; it looks like an amphitheater seating chart, but I think it's actually a rising sun. Bocconi University was founded in 1902, and was "the first Italian university to grant a degree in economics." The business school was established in 1975; its MBA program was ranked the world's best value for money by Forbes magazine in 2005. The school even offers a Bachelor of International Economics and Management program taught entirely in English. But the reason the school will always have great ties is its Master in Fashion, Experience and Design Management program, which should ensure a steady stream of necktie aficionados. Also, this tie illustrates a pet theory of mine, which is that you can take any small pattern, stamp it in a few colors in random placement and orientation on a piece of fabric, and end up with an engaging design. (Of course, if I found a tie that disproved my theory, I wouldn't be showing it.)