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Billy Reid is a big deal. When you win GQ's Best New Designer, have a collaboration with Levi's in the works, Bloomingdales builds a shop for you in their store, and you can still smile, be humble, and enjoy life; some may consider you a big deal.
Billy Reid's line is absolutely spectacular and he has the entire fashion world buzzing about the man from Florence, AL. Everybody who he comes in contact with, from GQ Creative Director, Jim Moore to the higher-ups at Bloomingdales, raves about how talented and cool Billy is. I guess I had it all wrong. Billy Reid is a huge deal!
Billy Reid's line is absolutely spectacular and he has the entire fashion world buzzing about the man from Florence, AL. Everybody who he comes in contact with, from GQ Creative Director, Jim Moore to the higher-ups at Bloomingdales, raves about how talented and cool Billy is. I guess I had it all wrong. Billy Reid is a huge deal!
Grungy Gentleman: What did you want to accomplish with the layout and design of the Bond Street store?
Billy Reid: We searched and gathered for several months to stay true to this project. We brought up some guys from Florence to help build the shop, which helped us restore our home here. Some examples are antique apothecary cabinets, 20 black walnut church pews and heart pine floor joists that we milled into flooring, and 35 paneled doors from an abandoned school in Jackson. I love antiques and taking something with a sense of history and making it useful in a modern world!
GG: What detail of the store do you think personifies the Billy Reid culture?
BR: When we open a shop, our goal is to create a sense of community that allows for a warm and socially active environment. Much of the decor / design is taken directly from our home here in Alabama, which helps project a feeling of hospitality and sense of place.
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GG: You seem to stay very true to your roots of Florence, AL. What differentiates Billy Reid from other lines out there today?
BR: Moving back to the South, was a homecoming of sort. I enjoy being able to spend time here in Alabama and mixing it up by spending some time in New York as well. It is not the usual path....Those two worlds colliding really influence the collection from day one and probably best defines it. We are who we are, and if that makes us different, I can live with that.
GG: Your line is a complete collection; from hand-tailored suits, to jeans and t-shirts, to shoes, and an array of accessories. The precision and quality in each piece is outstanding! What were the inspirations for this collection/ line as a whole?
BR: The collection really begins with pieces that I want to have personally. I want the pieces to have ability to age like antiques and get better with wear. I am a traditionalist and love classic American clothing. I enjoy, starting from this base and making it fresh and unique through details, fabrics, and manufacturing techniques.
GG: You guys are known to use all natural fabrications. How does that relate to what Billy Reid is all about?
BR: We use all natural materials throughout every aspect of the collection and build it to last. The idea of owning something that will last and you can wear it with age is a practical way of dressing and that's what most men expect in their wardrobe.
GG: You are known to be a bourbon aficionado. Does your love for bourbon translate to any aspect of your collection?
BR: We did one of our concert tees with Pappy on it, that I think is kind of cool. I love Pappy Van Winkle and the folks there are really are also involved in the organization, Southern Foodways Alliance (http://www.southernfoodways.com); an organization I'm very passionate about. It's great to do something like that for them when they make such a fine product.
GG: What is your go-to, key piece this season?
BR: The linen, Scout shirt. It's lightweight and easy enough to wear when you're at the pool or on a hot day under a suit.
GG: What is your favorite piece from the spring collection?
BR: The Coated Cotton Rain Coat. We wanted a spring-weight raincoat that would have weather protection and some guts. We took construction from our denim using heavy, needle stitching and lined it in pillow ticking with twill tape detailing. It works well over a suit or with jeans!
GG: What detail of the collection are you most proud of?
BR: I like that we strive to produce as much of the collection in the USA and that we're able to hand-make all of our leather accessories in Italy. Having access to the best fabrics, but making it something you want to own forever, as opposed to something overly precious is something I'm very proud we can offer in the collection.
GG: How did it feel to win GQ’s 2010 Best New Designer?
BR: Shock! It is a boost to our entire effort in regard to retail partnerships and our overall business. The opportunity to work with such an iconic company like Levi’s is a dream come true and we are so off the charts elated about the collection were working on together.
[GQ Creative Director, Jim Moore with Billy Reid]
GG: Bloomingdales put a shop in their store for your line. What was your reaction when you heard the news?
BR: Bloomingdales has been so great to us. They offered us a chance to bring what we do in our shops to their stores. It let’s us tell our story in a complete way, which has been a successful approach.
GG: What can we expect next from Billy Reid?
BR: Partnering with Levis for Fall 2010 has been a terrific experience and our collaboration with hit the floors 9/1/10. Also, we are working with Stetson this fall, to launch a collection of workwear and outdoor inspired headwear that uses Nutria, “The Righteous Fur”, waxed cottons, and deadstock military fabrics. More specifically, just happy things going on, which is what we like to do!
[Check out this super-cool video of Billy Reid via JakeDavisFilms.com]
[Billy Reid Fall 2010 images below...]
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6 comments:
this line looks very cool. props to grungy
Billy Reid IS A GOD
cool interview
this rocks
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