A week of winter travel recommendations is hereby interrupted to inform readers of a festive event tonight in New York City, where six designers will show their collections in an attempt to claim the title of “Best New Menswear Designer in America”. Nominees for the award, initiated by the magazine GQ, are Mr. RICHARD CHAI, Mr. BILLY REID, Ms. EUNICE LEE (for her nice label UNIS), the lovely brothers BURKMAN, VINCENT FLUMIANI (of CAULFIELD PREPARATORY) and Mr. FRANK MUYTJENS, whose countenance and office can be seen in the photograph above. Mr. MUYTJENS is the head menswear designer for J. CREW, where he brought a breath of fresh air to the classic preppy outfitter. FRANK is originally of Dutch origin, which makes his role as the designer of the quintessentially American label all the more striking. May the best contestant win! But given that the founders of FANTASTIC MAN share their obscure natal background with FRANK, we’re slightly biased.
Photograph by Mr. ANDREW T. VOTTERO for FANTASTIC MAN.
where’s the ceremony?
aka
where’s da party at?
It’s a pity that so much of what these designers represent is just “tweaked” classic men’s clothing. J Crew makes total sense — they are a giant brand. But most of the smaller houses just narrow a collar here, add an extra row of buttons there. It’s great that it’s mostly clothing one can actually wear, but a bit sad that it lacks the imagination to inspire.
Congratulations are in order for Mr. BILLY REID, who claimed the prize, and along with it a check for $50,000 and the opportunity to develop a limited edition Levi’s collection for Bloomingdale’s. Congratulations to all the other nominees as well, it is an honor just to nominated etc. etc.