Photographer Justin Barbin decided to make his own take on the classic bowtie, using alternative materials like snakeskin, feathers and even origami paper for his innovative creations. While his main line of work is photography, this 26-year-old from Edgewater, Chicago, combs craft festivals and speciality stores online for inspiration for his menswear style. Dapper and on point, a stand-out aluminum bowtie styled with a bold tropical print blazer for a Sigma Chi Formal is definitely one to remember. For a piece of wearable art, check out the piece with a printed version of Michelangelo’s “The Creation of Adam” emblazoned on the bowtie. Barbin styled his suit and tie to a T with a chocolate herringbone blazer and mini apple pin for his own amusement.
For those with eclectic taste, don’t miss the “Polka Dots and Plexiglass Bowtie for Delta Gamma Formal”. The transparent plexiglass bowtie is futuristic and sharp, while the all over graphic polka dots lend this outfit a whimsical vibe. Embrace a sense of masculinity with the “Black Checkered and Red Patent Leather Bowtie for Allison Hall Formal”. The serious back and gray plaid printed blazer gives this look a sense of austerity, but the red patent leather bowtie balances it out, giving things a fresh, youthful spin. For the bookworm in your life, make sure to take a peek at the “Sky Blue Stripes and Origami Bowtie”. We love Barbin’s attention to detail and extraordinary taste, the origami pages actually came out of a copy of “The Great Gatsby”.
On his Instagram, @justinbarbin, the bow tie specialist keeps a visual diary of his work, with a diverse set of bowties made from metal, pheasant feathers, brass and zebra wood. Quirky and cool, check out the copper brocade and feathers bowtie styled with a metallic blazer over a navy button up. These one of a kind creations are guaranteed to give any formal outfit an instant boost, with an eye-catching design and eco-friendly materials.
Following his Instagram as a visual diary makes sense because these bowties seem like evolving experiments rather than a static collection.
His chocolate herringbone blazer with the mini apple pin detail shows how much thought goes into the full look, not just the statement bowtie.
The aluminum bowtie with the tropical print blazer for the Sigma Chi formal really stuck with me; it’s such a bold mix of materials and color that somehow still reads polished.
The Creation of Adam print on a bowtie is wild, but it actually works as a tiny canvas that makes the whole outfit feel like a gallery piece.
That copper brocade and feathers combination with a metallic blazer sounds like it could be over the top, yet the navy shirt grounds it nicely.
That plexiglass bowtie paired with polka dots for the Delta Gamma formal is such a clever contrast between futuristic and playful elements without feeling gimmicky.
The red patent leather bowtie against the gray plaid blazer adds just enough flash without overwhelming the more serious base, which is a hard balance to strike.
I didn’t expect a transparent plexiglass bowtie to feel wearable, but the way he styled it makes it look sharp rather than novelty.
Using pheasant feathers and zebra wood alongside metals gives the collection a really tactile, almost sculptural quality that you don’t see in typical menswear accessories.
It’s interesting that he draws inspiration from craft festivals and specialty stores, because the pieces really do feel handmade and one-of-a-kind.
The eco-friendly angle with reused materials like book pages makes these designs feel thoughtful beyond just aesthetics, especially in formalwear where waste can be high.
I love how he uses unexpected materials like snakeskin and origami paper, especially the Gatsby pages turned into a bowtie, which feels both literary and wearable at the same time.