A Limited-Edition Collaboration Celebrating American Craft, Nature, and Storytelling
At Brackish, our philosophy has always centered on the art of craftsmanship and the power of personal storytelling. With every feather, every fold, and every flourish, we honor the natural world and the hands that bring our pieces to life. Today, we are proud to announce our newest artist collaboration: Summer in the Studio, a limited-edition series that pairs our signature handcrafted bow ties with the evocative, mixed-media artwork of Frederick Stivers.
This project marks the first in a continuing series of creative partnerships designed to celebrate American artistry. In Summer in the Studio, we invite you to experience a new dimension of Brackish - one that not only highlights our deep connection to nature but also embraces the layered, lived-in beauty of the American landscape through another artist's lens. The result is an inspired collection of heirloom-quality bow ties and collectible boxes, rooted in process, place, and purpose.
About the Artist: Frederick Stivers
A celebrated artist, architectural consultant, and storyteller in his own right, Frederick Stivers brings a singular vision to this collaboration. Based just outside of St. Louis, Missouri, Frederick is best known for his ability to reimagine organic materials into powerful visual narratives. Raised on the prairie-lands of central Illinois, he grew up surrounded by the quiet, sprawling beauty of open fields and endless skies - an environment that continues to shape his aesthetic to this day.
Frederick’s journey spans coastlines and cultures. He spent a decade in the American West, where he lived and worked among high-altitude landscapes and cold-water trout streams. His time there, marked by a distinct "High Mountainist" design sensibility, gave him a deep appreciation for raw texture and natural simplicity. After contributing to post-Katrina restoration efforts in New Orleans, he returned to the Midwest, where he now lives with his family. According to his eight-year-old son, he's an "old dad" who fishes on Tuesdays - and we think that's just about perfect.
Frederick’s work draws heavily on salvaged materials: aged wood, oxidized metal, seed pods, feathers, and forgotten fragments of the natural world. His art feels storied, weathered, and timeless - a perfect complement to the Brackish mission.
The Collaboration: Where Nature Meets Narrative
Summer in the Studio is a celebration of transformation: of turning raw materials into beauty, of honoring the passage of time, and of paying tribute to landscapes that shape our sense of self. Each Brackish bow tie is handcrafted in Charleston, South Carolina using ethically sourced feathers and traditional techniques. What makes this collection truly special, however, is the limited-edition heirloom box that accompanies every bow tie.
Hand-illustrated and designed by Frederick Stivers, each presentation box is a work of art in its own right. No two are exactly alike. Every box features moments captured in nature - which include birds, dogs, and flora that feel both nostalgic and fresh.
These boxes are more than packaging; they are collectible artifacts that speak to the soul of the American outdoors. From the tactile quality of the materials to the hand-signed details, each element tells a story. Whether gifted or collected, each pairing of bow tie and box is a tribute to craftsmanship and connection.
The Brackish Bow Tie: A Heritage of Craft
Brackish has long been known for our artisanal bow ties, which elevate the classic men’s accessory into something both stylish and meaningful. This collaboration brings together some of our most beloved feather designs with illustrated artistry.
Each tie is handcrafted by our skilled artisans, taking hours to perfect using a process that respects the integrity of the feathers and the design's intention.
How It Works: Crafting Your One-of-a-Kind Set
Step 1: Choose Your Handcrafted Bow Tie:
Select from our signature collection of feather bow ties - each piece is unique, elegant, and made to be worn and remembered. Not sure which bow tie to choose. We’ve rounded up our current favorites
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Rice Bow Tie – A timeless bestseller inspired by the Carolina Lowcountry, perfect for formal occasions and milestone moments.
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Royal Bow Tie – A vibrant conversation piece featuring vivid featherwork with peacock and pheasant.
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Mill Pond Bow Tie – For the life of the party, this lively design evokes the movement and light of a Southern summer evening.
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Guinea Bow Tie – Organic patterns meet understated elegance in this versatile, nature-inspired design.
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Tack Bow Tie – Soft pink tones and delicate symmetry make this a fresh take on seasonal sophistication.
Step 2: Add to Cart:
Once you’ve chosen your bow tie, add it to your cart. You’ll then be guided to our curated selection of Frederick Stivers heirloom boxes.
Step 3: Select Your Box:
Browse our full gallery of handcrafted boxes, each featuring original Stivers artwork. Choose from themes including:
Birds: detailed silhouettes and textural compositions
Waterfowl: rustic, marshland-inspired moments
Dogs: loyal companions captured in motion
Each box is one-of-a-kind and only available while supplies last.
Step 4: Complete Checkout:
Secure your payment and select your shipping or pickup option. Then sit back and anticipate the arrival of a Brackish heirloom - a piece that honors the handmade, the heartfelt, and the wholly original.
More Than an Accessory: A Story You Can Wear
This collaboration is more than a seasonal release. It’s a story told in texture and time. It’s a conversation between two artists - Frederick with his repurposed beauty, Brackish with its feathered elegance - and an invitation for you to become part of that story.
Whether you're gifting a loved one, preparing for a special occasion, or simply collecting pieces that speak to your values, Summer in the Studio offers a rare chance to own something meaningful. Every bow tie and box pairing becomes a personal artifact, a memory keeper, a testament to what American craft can be.
The Final Word
In a world that often moves too fast, Summer in the Studio invites us to slow down and savor the details: the grain of the wood, the curve of a feather, the story behind a design. This collaboration between Brackish and Frederick Stivers is a celebration of transformation, tradition, and timeless artistry.
Shop the full collection today and experience a wearable work of art that honors the landscapes we love and the makers who shape them.
