By Elisa Vietri
I distinctly remember the first time I saw Mark A. Mathews enter Phoenix Coffee on Mayfield Rd in South Euclid. He had unique personal style and held himself in a way that gave you the impression he had something to say and a story to tell. And he was wearing a bow tie, a really cool bow tie.
I have a particular interest in men’s fashion so that small detail made me curious. I was curious about him and wondering where he got that bow tie. As happenstance would have it, we sat at tables next to one another. We were both waiting for someone and quickly started chatting. I asked about his bow tie and he told me he made it. From there he easily launched into the story of his business, Redbeets Fashion.
Mark, being a fashionable man, was in pursuit of stylish and unique bow ties but had difficulty finding just the right look at the right price locally. You see, he’s a man that views his appearance as his calling card and with that comes great attention to detail. And because he couldn’t find what he was looking for, he decided to make it himself. Which should give you some deep insight into who he is and his drive for very specific details.
He bought his first used sewing machine on the Internet and jumped right in. Mark’s ties are hand-tie (no clip-ons here) made in classic plaids, vibrant florals and vintage designer fabrics. Each season brings a new batch. Some are one-of-a-kind and many are reversible, offering two ties in one. Each one is carefully cut, sewn and assembled by Mark himself.
That day, as Mark was finishing up his story, his appointment arrived and I watched as he placed an old time-y briefcase on the table that opened to rows of bow ties in all different patterns and colors. It was the Whitman’s Sampler of men’s fashion accessories. It was so appealing and charming I found it hard not to buy a few myself. Mark’s customer promptly purchase several ties and Mark was out the door to make more.
Recently I had the opportunity to visit Mark at his home studio to take some photos and ask a few questions I had been wondering about since our chance meeting over coffee.
About the Business
Elisa Vietri: Give us the “elevator pitch” summary of your business and product.
Mark A. Mathews: My name is Mark A. Mathews and I make bow ties. I’ve created a casual line of bow ties designed to open up people’s minds to the fact that bow ties are not just for suits and tuxedos.
What are 3 words that best describe your brand?
EXCLUSIVE – there are limited supplies of each style of bow tie design. You won’t see 100 people across the world with the same tie on. Yet…
ORIGINAL – While bow ties have been around forever, using cottons instead of just silks allows me the ability to pick patterns that wouldn’t normally be used for bow ties.
AFFORDABLE – One of my objectives as I enter into the fashion world is to keep my brand affordable, to provide a new sense of fashion to people or at least add new affordable options to a person’s wardrobe.
What/who inspired you to create your product?
Looking for bow ties in department stores isn’t an easy task. The styles are very basic, and they are all so expensive. I’ve never liked the “Department Store Bow Tie.” I have a cousin in D.C. that makes bow ties and I would buy from him until one day, only 4 months ago, I decided to make them myself. After conversation with my cousin about my plans, I bought a $25 sewing machine from Craigslist, researched the “How To’s” online and got to work. Now, with a much better sewing machine and a lot of answers to questions that I have asked, The Redbeets Fashion Casual Ties Collection is in full swing.
What makes your product different than other products that are similar?
The Redbeets Bow Tie is different from the majority of ties you see on the market first, because they are casual bow ties. No silks or satins to wear with tuxedos and Sunday-School suits. You can wear these ties with slacks and sweaters or even short sleeved button-downs and shorts. Second, because I have discovered the eye to pick fantastic prints and patterns by using cottons, instead of silks from fabric suppliers locally and across the world. These are not your average bow ties.
About the Maker
Why do you live and create in Cleveland/NE Ohio?
I live and base my business in Cleveland, OH primarily because it’s where I was born. Then after marriage, kids, and divorce, it began to make sense to stay in an area where the cost of living is low. The support I get from Cleveland is incredible! Cleveland is itching to become a fashion city and I am striving to do my part to make it one.
What is your favorite local guilty pleasure?
I have a few guilty pleasures. Shopping is a big one. I’m a very patient shopper. I’ll look and won’t always buy until I find the right price. A big part of my business is wearing my brand. I’ve been thrown into the fashion world since the start of Redbeets Fashion. Now it’s my job to show people new ways to wear bow ties and I have to do that by example. Food is another one of my guilty pleasures and I have to believe that Cleveland has some of the best restaurants in the country.
What other local “makers” or businesses are you a fan of?
I am definitely a fan of some of the local fashion designers like Dru Christine and Anderson Couture. I am also a fan of the local photographers like Mckinley Wiley with The Darkroom Company.
What one item is part of your “everyday carry” that you can’t live without?
One item that I cannot live without in my everyday life is, of course, my iPhone. It helps so much in my everyday life from checking my email to allowing people to use their credit card when buying a bow tie. A large part of my sales have come from social media sites utilized through my iPhone. Instagram and Facebook have been very important to my marketing plans by keeping relevant on an everyday basis taking pictures of my ties and posting them with my iPhone.
Find out more about Redbeets Fashion at http://redbeetsfashion.wix.com/redbeetsfashion.
Also, for the most up to date information on Mark’s ever changing inventory and seasonal styles, follow Redbeets on Instagram http://instagram.com/redbeetsfashion.
Elisa Vietri is a Cleveland based photographer and blogger who loves to show off her adopted hometown, Cleveland. ElisaVietri.com