South-Carolina
The Pinnacle Of Artisanal Feather Craftsmanship Is From South Carolina.
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.
Handcrafted feather bow ties.
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.
Brackish handcrafted lapel pin.
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.
The iconic Brackish bow tie.
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.
Brackish’s hand burnished boxes for their accessories.
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.
The University of South Carolina’s 2026 football schedule has been unveiled, it was announced tonight on the SEC Network.
The Gamecocks’ 2026 schedule features nine regular-season SEC contests, with five games at home and four on the road. The schedule also includes non-conference games versus Kent State and Towson as part of the seven-game home slate, and a non-conference road contest at Clemson.
After opening the season with three-consecutive home games for the first time since 2014, the Gamecocks will alternate home and road contests throughout the remainder of the schedule. The 2026 schedule features just one open date which will come on week 7 (October 17).
As announced on Monday, the Gamecocks will open the season on Sept. 5 by hosting Kent State. Carolina drubbed the Golden Flashes in its only previous encounter, a 77-14 decision in 1995. Kent State finished the 2025 season with a 5-7 mark overall and a 4-4 record in the Mid-American Conference.
Week 2 will see the Towson Tigers make their first trip to Williams-Brice Stadium. The Tigers compete in the FCS Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) and posted a 6-6 record in 2025 under head coach Pete Shinnick.
The Gamecocks begin their nine-game SEC gauntlet on Sept. 19 when Mississippi State visits Columbia. Carolina has won eight of the last nine meeting with the Bulldogs including a 37-30 win in 2023, the only contest played between the two schools since 2016. The Gamecocks lead the all-time series by a 10-7 margin. Mississippi State is one of seven teams on Carolina’s 2026 schedule that is playing in a post-season game this year.
The Gamecocks first road trip of the 2026 season takes them to Tuscaloosa on Sept. 26 for a date with the Alabama Crimson Tide, one of four teams on South Carolina’s 2026 slate that will appear in this year’s College Football Playoffs. It will mark the third-consecutive season that Carolina and Alabama have squared off, with the Tide narrowly winning the previous two – 27-25 in Tuscaloosa in 2024 and 29-22 in Columbia in 2025.
The Gamecocks and Kentucky Wildcats will meet in Columbia on Oct. 3. The teams met in Williams-Brice Stadium on Sept. 27, 2025, with Carolina prevailing by a 35-13 score, its fourth-straight win in a series they lead 22-14-1.
Carolina wraps up the first half of the season at Florida on Oct. 10. The Gamecocks and Gators met every year on the gridiron from 1992-2023 but have not played in either of the last two seasons. Florida holds a commanding 31-10-3 lead in the all-time series including a 17-2 advantage when playing in The Swamp. Carolina’s last win in Gainesville came in overtime the 2014 season.
After an open date on Oct. 17, the Gamecocks will return to action at home on Oct. 24 against the Tennessee Volunteers. Like Florida, the Gamecocks and Vols met every year from 1992-2023 but have not played in either of the last two seasons. Tennessee leads the all-time series by a 29-13-2 count including a narrow 10-8-2 advantage when the game has been played in Columbia.
The Gamecocks will spend Halloween in Norman playing the Oklahoma Sooners. The teams had never met prior to OU joining the SEC but have played each of the past two seasons with each team winning on the others’ home field.
The Bonham Trophy will be at stake on Nov. 7 when Texas A&M visits Williams-Brice Stadium. The Gamecocks and Aggies have met every year since A&M joined the SEC in 2014. The Aggies hold a 10-2 advantage in the all-time series, but the Gamecocks have won each of the last two meetings in Columbia.
The Gamecocks will travel to Fayetteville, Ark. for just the second time since 2013 when they tangle with the Arkansas Razorbacks on Nov. 14. South Carolina has won three of the last four games with the Hogs, but Arkansas clings to a 14-10 advantage in the all-time series.
The second-longest running series in school history behind only Carolina-Clemson, the Carolina-Georgia rivalry gets renewed on Nov. 21 when the Bulldogs make their way to Columbia from Athens. Georgia has won 55 of the previous 76 meetings between the flagship schools from neighboring states, with the Gamecocks last win coming in 2019.
The 2026 regular season comes to an end on Nov. 28 when the Gamecocks and Clemson Tigers meet in the annual Palmetto Bowl. The 2026 meeting will take place in the Upstate, where the Gamecocks have won each of their last two visits.
SEASON TICKETS
Whether you’ve been attending games for years or want to experience the magic for the first time, it’s not too early to secure your season tickets for the 2026 season. Season tickets are available for as low as $65 per game with a 10-month payment plan option available. Fans interested in purchasing season tickets for the first time, can place a season ticket deposit today for only $50 plus fees or fill out our season ticket interest form to receive more information. Current season ticket holders will receive information soon on how to renew their tickets for the 2026 season and can contact their Gamecock Club Account Representative today to enroll in the 10-month payment plan. For more information on ticket options for the 2026 season, visit 2026 Football Hub.
2026 SOUTH CAROLINA FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
Sept. 5 vs Kent State
Sept. 12 vs Towson
Sept. 19 vs Mississippi State*
Sept. 26 at Alabama*
Oct. 3 vs Kentucky*
Oct. 10 at Florida*
Oct. 17 OPEN DATE
Oct. 24 vs Tennessee*
Oct. 31 at Oklahoma*
Nov. 7 vs Texas A&M*
Nov. 14 at Arkansas*
Nov. 21 vs Georgia*
Nov. 28 at Clemson
*-SEC game
Nebraska is targeting ex-South Carolina offensive line coach Lonnie Teasley for an offensive staff role, according to the Omaha World-Herald’s Sam McKewon. The role itself is still to be determined.
Teasley spent three seasons as the Gamecocks’ offensive line coach. He had been with the program since 2021, serving as an offensive analyst. He assumed on-field coaching duties for the program in 2022.
Teasley was let go by South Carolina in October, ending his time with the program.
In addition to his coaching role, he was a strong recruiter for the Gamecocks. He most recently landed Darius Gray, the top interior offensive line recruit in the 2026 class. He was also able to land four-star offensive tackle Kamari Blair for the class as well.
Nebraska football has undergone several changes on offense over the last couple of days. They hired former Georgia Tech offensive line coach Geep Wade for the same position on Saturday, following the firing of Donovan Raiola.
The program is making sweeping changes on both sides of the football. Adding Teasley to the staff would be important for the program, which needs to be better prepared across all areas.
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The health department deployed mobile health clinics to the area to provide MMR shots, but few people in the community took advantage. “I can tell you that a relatively small number of doses was administered at each of the mobile health unit clinics that we offered,” Bell said.
No other vaccination clinics are planned, according to the department’s website.
People who are not vaccinated are almost always infected after they’re exposed to the virus; measles is the most contagious known virus in the world and can hang in the air for hours.
The current spread in South Carolina is occurring at several schools and a church in Spartanburg County, Bell said, with 254 people under a three-week quarantine. It takes 21 days for symptoms to occur after an exposure.
But with the ongoing spread in schools, some students who remain unvaccinated are now in a second 21-day quarantine since the beginning of the school year, Bell said. She did not have an exact number of kids in their second quarantine, but said it’s not a “significant proportion.”
While the quarantine includes weekends and holidays, 42 days is a significant amount of time away from the classroom.
The spread of measles is not isolated to South Carolina. On Wednesday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported a total of 1,912 measles cases so far in 2025.
The majority of cases have occurred in unvaccinated children and teenagers.
Outbreaks in the Western U.S. are ongoing: 176 in Arizona and 115 in Utah, according to state health officials. One of the Utah cases occurred at a child care facility with a high school in Salt Lake County.
The infected person was at the facility all day, every day last week (Dec. 1 through Dec. 5), the Utah Department of Health & Human Services said.
And health officials in Montezuma County, Colorado, located on the border of Utah and Arizona, reported an unvaccinated child had been diagnosed with measles. The child had no known connection to any other cases and hadn’t traveled outside of the state.
“The lack of a clear source of infection suggests that unidentified measles cases may be occurring in or traveling” through the area, investigators said.
Symptoms of measles can include:
- Headache, fever that may spike to over 104 degrees
- Cough, runny nose
- Red, watery eyes
- Tiny white spots inside the mouth
- A rash that begins on the scalp and travels down to the neck, trunk, arms and legs.
Approximately 11% to 12% of measles cases require hospitalization. Three people, including two young girls, have died in the U.S. this year.
MMR vaccines, given in two doses around a child’s first and fifth birthdays, provide 97% protection against the virus.
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