Brackish bow ties are all the rage, just ask Bill Murray, Jack Nicholson and Jimmy Fallon’s band on “The Tonight Show.” 

Charleston-based bow tie producers and company owners Jeff Plotner ’01 and Ben Ross ’01 have discovered a niche in developing an accessory collection with the distinctive taste of South Carolina’s outdoors. Ross created the first turkey feather bow ties by hand as personal gifts for the groomsmen at his wedding. Today, Brackish bow ties are handmade by a small team of local artisans. 

“We started at a kitchen table and have progressed to a 2,000-square-foot shop in Charleston, where every aspect of production is done,” says Plotner, who recently married Courtney Parades ’04. “We welcome customers into a warm and nature-oriented showroom complete with split hemlock tables, old trunks and cypress knees … our space reflects one of the core values of Brackish: respectfully repurposing the beauty of nature.”

“We have created something completely unique and risked everything to make it work,” says Ross. “It’s hard to find something that nobody else has ever done these days.” Brackish bow ties were featured in Garden & Gun, Martha Stewart Weddings and Hollywood Reporter. In addition to online sales, Brackish is sold in more than 100 retailers all over the world. They also recently announced a partnership with Orvis.

To find out more, visit brackishbowties.com »

By Jo Ann Mitchell Brasington '89