Brief
Rizzoli Publishes New Book on Bolo Tie History
The coffee‑table volume, released today, spotlights the bolo tie’s evolution and features a foreword by Lyle Lovett.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Rizzoli has issued a new coffee‑table book titled Bolo: Design, Style, Heritage, released on 29 September 2026. The work is authored by artist and longtime collector William Matthews, who has gathered bolo ties for more than four decades. Matthews writes in the introduction that his father gave him his first bolo, and he describes the piece as a constant visual motif in his art about the West.
The book includes a foreword by actor‑singer Lyle Lovett and showcases over 500 photographs, many of which have not been published before. Designs range from turquoise‑and‑coral Navajo pieces to sleek silver or metal versions, as well as rarer materials such as abalone shell and petrified wood. A significant portion of the volume focuses on Native American artisans from the Hopi, Navajo and Zuni tribes, whose work helped popularise the accessory after its emergence in the Southwest in the 1940s.
Matthews, who also paints Western landscapes, says the bolo tie remains a “captivating and beautiful” expression of regional heritage. The book is positioned as a visual feast for collectors and fashion enthusiasts alike.
Key facts
- Rizzoli released the book "Bolo: Design, Style, Heritage" on 29 September 2026. (vogue.com)
- The author, William Matthews, has collected bolo ties for over forty years. (vogue.com)
- Lyle Lovett wrote the foreword for the book. (vogue.com)
- The book features more than 500 photographs of bolo ties, including many never before published. (vogue.com)
- It highlights designs by Hopi, Navajo and Zuni artisans, tracing the accessory’s roots to the 1940s Southwest. (vogue.com)
Sources
- [1] vogue.com — originally reported as “A New Book Celebrates the Stylish History of Bolo Ties”
