When Ben Ross, Co-Founder of Brackish, first laid eyes on turkey feathers and envisioned them as bow ties, he unknowingly pioneered a novel concept in the fashion accessories market. The seed of this idea blossomed further when Jeff Plotner, his fellow Co-Founder, received a handcrafted feather bow tie as a heartfelt groomsman gift from Ross. This humble moment sparked a journey that would lead to the creation of Brackish, transforming a simple inspiration into an innovative brand renowned for its artisanal elegance.

Brackish, a distinguished brand hailing from South Carolina, has garnered global acclaim for its meticulously crafted accessories for both men and women, fashioned from feathers. The company launched with an exquisite collection of men’s bow ties, each piece embodying a couture-like sophistication with each handcrafted piece.

With customers in 40 countries and in all 50 states, the core of Brackish’s success is their unwavering commitment to quality and craftsmanship. The journey of a Brackish accessory begins with the careful selection of feathers. Each feather is meticulously chosen for its color, texture, and quality, ensuring that only the finest materials are used.

A big part of their success is their core values of collaboration and organic evolution of products.

Ross, the creative mind of the team, encourages his artists to really push the boundaries of what their capabilities can do with feathers. He doesn’t believe the design process needs to be an exact science, nor does he want his design team to be too structured but encourages different schools of thought so that the team remains energized with ideas. Innovation with materials is so encouraged that in doing so, Brackish has registered several proprietary techniques for some of their products.

“ My oyster chandelier idea was an incredible idea but the sustainability factor and the cost factor was not going to be advantageous to Brackish,” explains Ross, laughing, when one of his experiments didn’t go according to plan.

Sustainability is also at the forefront of Brackish’s ethos. The feathers are thoughtfully sourced from local farmers involved in the Farm-to-Table movement and purveyors who offer feathers as a by-product of farming or from natural molting. Ross and Plotner recognized that these feathers were often discarded, so they proposed a partnership to create a new revenue stream for the farmers while securing a consistent feather supply for Brackish.

Once meticulously selected, the feathers undergo a rigorous handcrafting process. Skilled artisans delicately prepare each feather through cleaning, steaming, and shaping to enhance its natural beauty. The feathers are then artfully arranged and hand-stitched onto a base, creating a seamless and cohesive design. The inspiration behind these designs often comes from the natural world, with feathers arranged to mimic the patterns found in nature. This painstaking process, which can take several hours, ensures that each piece is a true masterpiece of craftsmanship. Each creation requires up to five hours to produce and passes through the hands of eight artisans before reaching the customer.

The true magic of Brackish lies in the hands of its artisans and both Ross and Plotner are quick to credit their incredible team with the success of the quality of the products. These skilled craftsmen and women bring the brand’s vision to life. Their expertise and dedication are evident in every stitch and detail, ensuring that each piece meets the highest standards of quality.

Training at Brackish is both rigorous and comprehensive. Crafters undergo a three-month training to work with feathers, metals and other materials to ensure consistent quality with monthly check-ins to ensure pace and proficiency. This includes everything from feather preparation to hand-stitching and finishing. When seeking members to join their team, they look for people with inherent artistic abilities that enjoy being meticulous with intricate details.

Ross and Plotner take immense pride in the fact that every aspect of Brackish is rooted in Charleston, South Carolina, fostering a supportive and close-knit community around their brand.

“In a world of outsourcing, where delegating tasks is the norm, we choose a different path. By doing everything here, we maintain exceptional control over our processes and products, which is something we are truly proud of,” Ross explains, highlighting how their business model strengthens community bonds.

This dedication to quality is unmistakable in Brackish’s diverse product line, which includes a variety of meticulously crafted accessories. Their bow ties, the most iconic of their creations, boast intricate patterns and vibrant colors that are both striking and elegant. Each bow tie is a unique masterpiece, with no two being exactly alike due to the natural variations in feathers.

Brackish’s commitment to excellence has garnered a distinguished following, with celebrities such as Bill Murray, Blake Lively, and Andrea Bocelli among its admirers. Every Brackish piece is designed to make its wearer stand out, reflecting the brand’s signature style and unparalleled attention to detail.

Looking ahead, Ross and Plotner hinted at a possible apparel and home collection, but for right now, continued innovation in quality and new products will be their priority.

“We are always striving for perfection. We know we’ll never ever achieve perfection but we strive for it,” says Ross.

Brackish stands as a testament to the power of inspiration, dedication, and community, transforming the simple beauty of feathers into extraordinary works of art.