Small Businesses to Support this Season: The Bow Tie Club

This holiday season North One is highlighting independent shops from across the country. Small businesses are the backbone of the American Economy. Purchasing your gifts from independent retailers directly impacts the lives of business owners and their families, while giving you a unique and meaningful present.  It’s a win-win.

This month we’ll be spreading some holiday cheer while pointing you towards the best stocking stuffers, got-to-have gifts, and thoughtful treasures for under the tree. Next up are our friends at The Bow Tie Club.

The Bow Tie Club: American made Bow Ties for the fashion-forward. 

Based out of Gaithersburg, Maryland, The Bow Tie Club offers bow ties, pocket squares, and face masks. Today the site boasts over 500 different bow tie designs in seven different shapes, making it the premier destination for all of your bow tie related needs. 

The idea for the club started with Kirk Hinckley twenty-six years ago. In his early life, Kirk spent time working for major retailers Brooks Brothers, Joseph Banks, and Nordstroms. While he enjoyed his jobs — he always had a keen eye for design and style — he recognized that all of his employers overlooked something he felt passionately about. They overlooked bow-ties. 

“There are a million reasons I love bow ties,” said Kirk. “The focus on a bow tie is near your face instead of your belly, they are more fun, they look great untied and the most important reason is that they are the best conversation starter.  I have met more people wearing a bow tie just because they thought I was more approachable and they commented on the bow tie which started a conversation!” 

Kirk Hinckley, Founder and his wife Corinne Hsu, the Product Graphic Designer

Kirk believed that bow tie enthusiasts like himself deserved better quality and selection of bow-ties at an honest price. And he was going to be the person to give it to them. 

The Bow Tie Club was launched in 1994 as a mail-order catalog to much fanfare. At first, Kirk purchased designs from design houses around the world for his bow-ties. This was less than ideal, as it was difficult to find designs suited for the bow-tie shapes. In 2006 Kirk found the perfect solution. He’d enlist the help of a graphic designer to make designs specifically for the products. And who was that designer? Kirk’s wife Corinne Hsu. 

Bringing years of experience in the graphic field and intimate knowledge of the bow tie business, Corinne helped to create the beautiful designs that the Bow Tie Club calls its Bow Tie Club Exclusives. The designs have been some of the absolute favorites for their customers.

“There are only a handful of bow tie manufacturers in the entire world that actually design their bow ties.  Our designs are specifically made for a bow tie shape whereas other makers usually just take long tie designs and put them on a bow tie.”

The husband and wife team have brought passion and expertise to their business, giving bow-tie lovers a great experience through and through. We’re so pleased to support Kirk and Corinne with their business. A gift from The Bow Tie Club this holiday season makes a great addition under any tree. 

You can purchase products from the Bow Tie Club here. 

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