Wall Street Journal names Art Institute of Dallas alumnus, Billy Reid, designer of the Best Men’s Collection of Fashion Week 2011
Specializing in designing men's and women's luxury clothing, shoes, and leather, Billy Reid is forging an exciting future for himself in the fashion industry. Before receiving a nod from the Wall Street Journal as the designer of the Best Men’s Collection from the 2011 Fashion Week, he was the winner of the third annual GQ “Best New Menswear Designers in America project.” Billy has since become a worldwide fashion sensation, showing off his talents and creative passion in GQ’s March 2010 issue.
Billy’s journey to winning this prestigious award began at The Art Institute of Dallas, where he found his calling as a designer and gained the skills needed to transform his talent into his profession. Embarking on a quest to get his work in front of a global audience, Billy entered the competition which was judged by industry powerhouses 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.
Winning the competition gave Billy the amazing opportunity to create a limited-edition collection for the Levi’s® brand—as well as a $50,000 cash prize. Additionally, his collection received an exclusive month-long debut at several Bloomingdale’s locations in the fall of 2010. One item from the collection was featured in the September 2010 issue of GQ.
Proving that he understands the value of paying it forward, Billy will participate in a mentoring program led by GQ, the Levi’s® brand, and Bloomingdale’s to help budding fashion designers learn what it takes to make it in the industry.
Today, Billy works out of his flagship shop and studio in Florence, AL. His work has been featured in New York Magazine, South Accents, Esquire, Allure, and Paste—and that’s just the short list. Billy Reid shop locations include New York City, Nashville, Charleston, Charlotte, Dallas, and Houston. To see more of Billy Reid’s work, visit: http://www.billyreid.com/.