Secret Society Neckwear
Nathan Green describes his style as “classic meets rock and roll,” and it’s hard to think of a better way to sum up the spirit of his custom tie line, Secret Society Neckwear. His pieces blend tradition with just enough edge to add character to a suit—and reflect the personality of the man wearing it.
After a decade in menswear, including his current role at Shaia’s, Green launched Secret Society to help revive the art of dressing with intention. His first collection sold out of every standout design. “Life’s too short to be boring,” he says. “I believe in having a little fun with your style.”
That mix of polish and playfulness shows up in more than just his designs. “Most customers have only ever seen me in a suit and tie since I wear one six days a week,” he says. “Then they run into me in a T-shirt out with my wife and kids, notice the full sleeve of tattoos, and think, ‘Wait, what?’”
Most days, though, Green enjoys sporting classic menswear: well-cut suits, tailored shirts, and, of course, a great tie.
With Secret Society, he sources vintage silks, works with Italian mills, and designs ties that balance timeless structure with a fresh edge. Some feature traditional stripes that nod to old-school Brooks Brothers. Others showcase abstract patterns with a bit more oomph. Green hopes to see more Birmingham men embracing the knit tie, and he’s a fan of the slightly imperfect four-in-hand knot. “It says, yes, I’m wearing a tie, but I don’t take myself too seriously.”
Comfort matters, too. “A lot of people assume ties are uncomfortable, but they shouldn’t be. If everything fits well, you’ll forget you’re wearing one,” he says. “It’s like when you first start wearing a watch. At first, it feels strange. Then it just becomes part of you.”
Sweatpants may have ruled the Zoom era, but Green believes society is shifting back toward a more refined sense of style. “You get to choose how you present yourself,” he says. “When you put on a tie, you’re making the choice to show up.”
For those who still do, Green offers a quiet nod of camaraderie through the company tagline:
“No one wears a tie anymore... but us.”
secretsocietyx.com | @secretsocietyx
shaias.com | @shaias_1922
Kingfisher Leatherworks
Kingfisher Leatherworks is making a name for itself across Birmingham and beyond with its sharp, American-made accessories—from bison belts to whiskey glass cases. At the core is a commitment to enduring craftsmanship and materials made to be worn, gifted, and passed down.
“We have a lifetime warranty on everything we make,” says Andrew Adams, who runs the company alongside founder Luke Kolbie. “There are no corners cut—full-grain saddle leather, American bison, Amish-made construction. These are pieces your son can inherit one day.”
Kingfisher started on the sporting side with handmade shell bags and cartridge belts, then expanded into more versatile lifestyle items like bottle totes and weekend bags. Their most popular product by far? The double bottle tote, built with structure and detail that makes it nearly indestructible, plus options for custom monograms, pewter pins, and logos.
The wearable offerings—especially their belts—make Kingfisher a natural fit for men seeking understated polish. Belts come in rich chocolate or cognac bison and standard harness leather. “I wear our belts with suits all the time,” Adams says. “They’re sharp enough to dress up, and we’re starting to offer interchangeable buckles, too.”
Founder Luke Kolbie puts it this way: "What started as my own need for performance outdoor gear resulted in a grassroots company handcrafting generational leathergoods to the highest standards right here in the USA. Every rivet and stitch is purposeful, ensuring that they can withstand an adventurous lifestyle and serve not only you, but also your heirs to come."
kingfisherleatherworks.com | @kingfisherleatherworks
Marcdión Clothier
One spring afternoon, a man visiting Birmingham from South Carolina wandered into Marcdión Clothier. He described a suit jacket—just a vision in his mind—and owner Torey Amerson knew he could bring it to life. “We worked through fabrics and details until it came together,” Amerson says. “A brownish-tan pinstripe. Clean. Sharp.”
Before mailing the finished jacket, Amerson added an unexpected custom touch. The man was an avid golfer, something Amerson had tucked away from conversation. He lined the jacket with fabric printed in a golf club motif. “He opened it up, and his wife said it was like he lost his mind,” Amerson says. That jacket sparked a lasting relationship and more orders, including rounds of Derby suits for him and his friends.
Word of mouth is how most customers find Marcdión, which has quietly become a hub not just for style but for connection. “We’re going to start calling it the meeting spot,” Amerson jokes. “I’ve had a priest in here with a rabbi. A news anchor met an artist, and next thing I know, they’re doing a story together.” It’s got barbershop energy, but with blazers. “Guys come in and end up talking about things you’d never expect.”
That spirit carries into every custom look. “I don’t push what I like,” Amerson says. “I listen. I ask about their work, their kids, where they’re from. You’ve got to know some things about the person to choose the right style.”
Style starts with the person, but it’s the custom details that finish the look. “It’s that one little stitch on the lapel button—that’s what sets it apart,” Amerson says. “The contrast thread, the hand pick-stitching around the lapel, real horn or mother-of-pearl buttons—those are the quiet details that tell you it’s a custom piece, not something off the rack.”
Amerson has been in the business for 15 years, and it’s never been about volume for him. “I’m invested in every piece someone purchases,” he says. “I want them to get compliments. I want them to get that job, that promotion, that special someone—whatever they’re going for. I take it personally.”
marcdion.com | @marcdion_clothier