Billy Reid, Graduate of The Art Institute of Dallas, Wins Big!

Note:
After reading the press release below, be sure to check out the GQ BLOG for their take on Billy Reid's recent win at Fashion Week!


photo: Peggy Sirota

GQ NAMES BILLY REID 2010 BEST NEW MENSWEAR DESIGNER IN AMERICA
NEW YORK (February 12, 2010) – GQ announced today Billy Reid as winner of the third annual Best New Menswear Designers in America project.

GQ editor-in-chief Jim Nelson and creative director Jim Moore, along with the fashion editors of the magazine, had selected five other designers as finalists: Burkman Bros designers Doug and Ben Burkman, Richard Chai, Caulfield Preparatory designer Vincent Flumiani, J. Crew menswear designer Frank Muytjens, and UNIS designer Eunice Lee. Each designer will be featured in the March 2010 issue.

On February 4, the designers presented their collections before an expert panel including GQ editor-in-chief Jim Nelson, GQ creative director Jim Moore, CFDA executive director Steven Kolb, Levi’s® svp of merchandising & design Erik Joule, Bloomingdale’s vice president of fashion direction Kevin Harter, and Calvin Klein Collection men's creative director Italo Zucchelli. They then showcased a selection of looks at a party at the IAC Building on the evening of February 11, after which the judges convened to determine the winner.

As the winner, Billy Reid receives a $50,000 cash prize and the opportunity to create a limited-edition collection for the Levi’s® brand. His collection will receive an exclusive month long debut at several Bloomingdale’s locations in the fall. He will also participate in a mentoring program led by GQ, the Levi’s® brand, and Bloomingdale’s. A select item or outfit from his collection will be featured in the September 2010 issue of GQ.

William “Billy” Reid grew up Amite, Louisiana, just south of the Mississippi line. In 2004, he launched Billy Reid, a collection with roots in the designer’s Southern past. Today, Billy works out of his flagship shop and studio in Florence, AL. The store is furnished with Reid family heirlooms, and serves as a lodestar for his other boutiques. Additional Billy Reid shop locations include New York City, Nashville, Charleston, Charlotte, Dallas, and Houston.

Billy Reid is preceded by 2009 Best New Menswear Designer Robert Geller, and Engineered Garments designer Daiki Suzuki in 2008.

Source: LeviStrauss.com