Nylon - November 2008 - (Page 60) southern charm E LY DESIGNER BILLY REID MAY HAVE BUILT S N’S WEAR, BUT NOW E HIS REP ON MEN’ ALL THE LADIES CAN JOIN THE PARTY. DRESS CODE: IMPECCABLY TAILORED. BY RAJNI LUCIENNE JACQUES, PHOTOGRAPHED BY LUCAS WILSON “I work from a very classic American sensibility,” says Alabamabased designer William “Billy” Reid. “I grew up in Louisiana, so I am inspired by Southern things and the way of life here.” Reid, who introduced his signature men’s wear line in 1998, is coming out with a capsule collection for women this month. “I started out doing men’s hand-tailored clothing, but as time went by I became much broader in direction,” says Reid, with a slight Southern twang. “I started adding key pieces for the ladies based on the men’s line. But now I feel it’s time to do a full-on women’s collection.” Reid creates modern clothing imbued with a high degree of sturdy craftsmanship and attention to detail. The women’s pieces include his signature “polk” jacket (Reid’s version of the classic peacoat with silk-lined sleeves); a snug-fitting wool dress with a detachable pleated apron (perfect to go from day to night); a black, utilitarian jumper; and perfectly cut, highwaisted trousers. “The collection has a very heavy structure to it, and I think it’s because I started in men’s wear,” says Reid. “And because I make the clothing in a factory that, until now, only produced men’s garments. The look is very feminine, but the fabric is masculine.” Reid first came onto the fashion scene in the late ’90s after moving to New York from the South, and went on to win the 2001 CFDA Perry Ellis Award for Menswear. But during the dark period following 9/11, the momentum and buzz about Reid came to a halt. “At that point, I decided to move to Florence, Alabama,” he says. “After that horrible time, I was convinced I should start up my own shop and create a community around it. I was no longer on the same calendar as other designers. I did my own thing, and that’s how I was able to rebuild my brand.” Next up for Reid is the opening of his first New York City boutique in the burgeoning shopping district around the Bowery. The two-story space is decorated entirely in reclaimed materials, like apothecary cabinets, antiques, and pre–Civil War pine flooring recovered from a cotton gin in Southern Louisiana. “We wanted the shop to be a place where we can entertain and welcome guests, just like the one in Alabama,” says Reid. “The approach just seems to fit our nature. It is really Americana and inspired by all things Southern…just like my pieces.” 60 profile stylist: liz cresci. hair: jake dingler for artistsbytimothypriano.com. makeup: sara stewart for artistsbytimothypriano.com. model: ilona at major. dress by billy reid, top by catherine holstein, shoes by frye, belt by one october, cuffs by rj graziano, necklace by alex & chloe. http://www.artistsbytimothypriano.com http://www.artistsbytimothypriano.com
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