Author Archives: Eric Stefenson
Never Before Seen Leather Goods!
Leather Report
Now online, our latest round of leather goods! Manufactured by Florida-based Korchmar, this assortment features leather and twill options that go the distance. Whether a weekender constructed of full grain Texas steer or a rugged, refined messenger bag composed of waxed cotton twill, each bag is certain to stand the test of time.
With Korchmar’s passion for excellence, these bags are the perfect complement to all your Bird Dog Bay gear. Each piece arrives with a luggage tag stamped with the Bird Dog Bay logo featuring our favorite bird dog of all, Gus.
Our New Silk Pedigree Collection
New Tricks for an Old Dog
Brand new for the Spring/Summer 2016 collection: The Pedigree Collection! Featuring whimsical motifs on a woven silk medium, the Pedigree Collection silks are designed by Steve and based on the classic English Club tie. Inspired by Steve’s original work–after all, he trained and started as a woven silk designer twenty years ago–each necktie and bow tie boasts silk woven at a 300 year old English mill before it is handmade and finished in the United States.
To match these new silks, we’re also eager to showcase our premier run of Pedigree Cufflinks. Each set is constructed of Pedigree Collection silk in our Chicago studio and features a matching motif. Handmade and featuring a durable brass backing, you’re sure to find your new favorite pair.
Bird Calls: Derby Season Silks
COMING UP ROSES
Equestrian themes have always maintained a presence in our collections. Since Steve first sat down over ten years ago to craft our inaugural collection, well, we’ve done it all! Whether a fox hunting step and repeat, a pattern geared toward racing enthusiasts, or a simple motif like horseshoes, we’ve always liked to include some items for those geared toward riding.
As to be expected, one of the largest events of the year for us is the Kentucky Derby. The first leg of the esteemed Triple Crown, the Kentucky Derby is widely known as “The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports.” Alongside the race itself, the race is famous for its mint juleps, roses, and impeccably dressed spectators. With a solid footprint of stores and fans in the Bluegrass State, it’s no surprise many attendees opt for Bird Dog Bay neckwear with their seersucker suits and saddle shoes. Below are a few of our favorites for May.
The first, “And They’re Off,” is a lovely number showing galloping horses mid-race. A medium sized pattern avaiable in three different colors, “And They’re Off” made a return this season after first debuting in 2013. Outside of being a versatile option for a suit or sport coat, its detail encompasses the quality for which we’re known. From the details on the jockey silk to the shadowing on the horses, Steve got everything. Heck, even look at the clouds of dirt being kicked up by the horses!
“Horseshoe Heaven,” is a brand new silk design for this season. Steve originally drew a tie in 2014 called “Lucky Horseshoe,” popular with the St. Patrick’s Day and horseracing crowd. When putting pen to paper for this collection, he hoped to work a horseshoe back in–but how? After a few drafts, “Horseshoe Heaven” was born, a tight step and repeat perfect for a solid or striped shirt.
The third design might not appear at first glance to be Kentucky Derby-related, but it ties in (no pun intended!) to the history of Louisville. Our “Fleur de Lis” tie, an elegant choice, is the perfect selection for a more conservative or traditional gentleman. The city of Louisville proudly sports the French emblem in its seal, and this silk can serve as a nod to the city, its people, and its culture.
When making your selection for May 7th, look no further than Bird Dog Bay. With any of the choices above, you’re sure to place first.
Our Top Picks for Golfers
Wire-to-Wire
With the Masters Tournament in full swing at Augusta National and spring on the horizon, we thought there was no better time preview our latest collection of golf gear! Certain to make your personal style cut, we have the best selection of whimsical neckwear and accessories to bring your game to the next level.
It doesn’t matter if you’re a scratch golfer or your favorite hole is the 19th: if you’re a lover of the game, we have the perfect golf accessory. From new 100% silk designs like “Golf Buddies” to fan favorites like “Hazard on Eight,” we’ll make sure you look your best from the clubhouse to the boardroom. If your approach is more casual, look no further than a pair of our golf-themed socks, all composed of Peruvian Pima cotton and measuring mid-calf.
Bird Calls: Southern Soiree
2016 is a milestone year for Bird Dog Bay. After thousands of miles traveled, hundreds of silk designs and products, and a commitment to doing what we love, we’re proud to have recently celebrated our tenth year in business!
In these hundreds of designs, all illustrated by Steve, we’re happy to offer something new each and every season. Here’s one of our favorites!
Design #309: Southern Soiree
What do cotton, football, alligators, hunting dogs and guitars have in common? They are all things that are popular below the Mason-Dixon. Since the inception of Bird Dog Bay, we’ve always found a lot of friends in the South. We opened many of our new accounts there and got off to a great start with orders coming from Texas, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, and more.
Season after season, Steve’s asked to draw specific designs for Southern states. He’s tried to keep up, whether it was fleur de lis and jazz quartets for Louisiana, elephants and tigers for Alabama, oil rigs for Texas, and the fan-favorite cotton boll, these southern flavors are included in almost every collection.
When brainstorming Southern Soiree (pictured above), Steve realized that it would be a part of the Spring 2016 collection, right around our 10-year anniversary. We had to make sure that the South was represented heavily in the collection but couldn’t nail down one design. As Steve looked at his piles of paper, each with a different drawing representing the south, the light bulb went off: it’s time to include them all!
The color ways of blue, coral and mint were picked to ensure an easy match with a wide variety of shirt colors. We think the best matches are Berwyn, Camden, and Danbury respectively, but feel free to mix and match for your next Southern Soiree!
Thanks for the inspiration over the past 10 years. We’re looking forward to all the new ideas in the next 10!
New Spring Cummerbund Sets Now Online!
FORMAL FRENZY
Our silk cummerbund sets are back in stock and available for your next formal event this summer. Featuring a handful of new designs alongside some fan favorites, we guarantee you’ll pick a winner from our wide and varied collection. With both whimsical and traditional options available, we have the perfect match for your upcoming wedding or black tie ball.
Additionally, if outfitting your groomsmen or purchasing for a group, we’re happy to offer a group discount–just let us know!
Introducing Our New Socks!
Spring for Some Socks!
Hot off the loom is our latest collection of men’s mid-calf dress socks! Steve has taken some of our best selling neckwear designs and incorporated them into our latest release of socks, perfect for the gentleman unafraid to stand out. New to this collection are select patterns and colors which perfectly complement some of our fan favorites. Constructed with Pima cotton and featuring a touch of nylon and and spandex for a touch of stretch, our mid-calf dress socks are sure to be your new favorites this year.
For Peep’s Sake, There’s Still Time To Get Your Easter Accessories
Dressed In Your Sunday Best
Worried you’ve left it late? Worry no more! Here at Bird Dog Bay, we have that perfect piece of sophisticated whimsy or traditional take to make you look your best this Easter Sunday. Whether hunting for eggs or cutting the ham, knot up on of our made in America ties or slip on one of our Italian-milled dress shirts for that perfect seasonal look–we guarantee you’ll attract more than a few cute chicks!
Bird Calls: The Tortoise & The Hare
2016 is a milestone year for Bird Dog Bay. After thousands of miles traveled, hundreds of silk designs and products, and a commitment to doing what we love, we’re proud to have recently celebrated our tenth year in business!
In these hundreds of designs, all illustrated by Steve, we’re happy to offer something new each and every season. No matter your interest or preference, we like to think we have just the product for you, and while we’re proud to constantly grow and evolve, sometimes there’s no need to reinvent the wheel. In this case, enter this week’s featured design, “Tortoise & The Hare.”
“Tortoise & The Hare” was one of the first designs crafted by Steve for our inaugural collection in 2006. Inspired by the classic Aesop’s Fable, Steve put pencil to paper and came up with a gorgeous repeat that has stood the test of time. Introduced at first as a fun, whimsical tie for the spring, “Tortoise & The Hare” soon became a fan favorite. As Steve worked to assemble this season’s collection, he returned to this ever popular choice and thought it would be a terrific tie for Easter: a crafty number perfect for the season that will look even better knotted up this Sunday.
As we learn in the fable, slow and steady wins the race. Enter “Tortoise & The Hare,” a tie we’re sure will be with you year after year through your journey in life. Thanks for a great ride thus far, and here’s to another ten years!
Hop to It: It’s a Bird Dog Bay Easter!
Hoppy Easter!
When the big rabbit makes his rounds on Easter Sunday, make sure you look your best in our latest goods! With neckties and bow ties galore available, you can opt for a whimsical and wild pattern or one that is tame and traditional. Alongside our neckwear, we have a wealth of dress shirts, socks, and boxers, and other accessories to make you fit in with the spirit of the season.
Bird Calls: Patriotic Pinchers
PRESIDENTIAL PICKS
It’s mid-March and we find ourselves in the midst of primary season for the 2016 election. With hotly contested races across the nation, some are “feeling the Bern” while others are “stumping for Trump.” In many ways, the nation is divided as we look to November, with the Democratic Party and Republican Party gearing up for a fierce race in the fall.
Here at Bird Dog Bay, however, we’re mostly focused on parties–or at least dressing for them. The two designs above are brand new for this season, and they’re both great options for someone with political interests no matter where they lie.
When illustrating this new collection in Vail, CO last summer, Steve hoped to incorporate silk patterns for folks with different preferences. These preferences, however, are less political and more about those who favor that sophisticated touch of whimsy for which we’re known versus those who are more conservative. For as many whimsical silks as we sell, we also sell a number of traditionals and neats, though the divide is less sharp than you’d think.
Our “Patriotic Pinchers” tie is a prime example of the former. After drawing “Dogs Love America” a few seasons back before upping the ante this spring with “American Labs,” Steve always likes to include a bit of Americana especially as we approach July. “Stafford Stripe” entered the collection as a unique take on the classic repp tie. It’s crafted with a nice balance to wear perfectly with your favorite blazer or suit, not to mention is appropriate anywhere from the boardroom to the club.
At any rate, rest assured no matter your allegiance or preference, we’ll have you knotted up and looking your best each and every season.
Check Out Our St. Patrick’s Day Ginghams!
All Others Will Be Green with Envy
Whether whipping up a feast of corned beef and cabbage or sharing a pint with friends, Bird Dog Bay will make sure you look your Irish best. Celebrate St. Paddy’s Day with one of our new Italian-milled dress shirts or handmade in America neckties or bow ties. We’re sure to have the perfect addition to your festivities no matter the occasion. Sláinte!