Billy Reid
Recently I had a wonderful opportunity to sit down with award-winning designer Billy Reid in his new boutique located in the Antique District a.k.a. Lower King Street. A very humble Reid and I discussed everything from the devastating events in his early career to his ongoing success of bringing his name back to the market! Enjoy!
CM: You are originally from the South, correct? Your label actually started in New York but your range of stores is in the South.
BR: I was based in NY but I was commuting. We started and things were going really well! We had started men’s and then went into women’s and had the collection placed in some really nice stores all over the world. We won a CFDA Award in 2001 and then the runway show we had after winning the award, our breakout show, was scheduled for Sept 10th the day before the terrorist attacks and that just buried us. There was no way to pull out of that so we stopped. I had to close the business. Eventually, some friends of mine called and said, “What do think about opening your own stores and forget trying to sell to other people?” We ended up putting stores close to where we could micromanage them and it just felt right! So far so good!
Billy Reid Interior
CM: Tell me about your design philosophy? Your stores across the board have a pretty consistent style aesthetic.
BR: Basically, I just do what I feel. I have a huge love for antiques and a huge love for things that stand the test of time from the heart pine flooring that we put in the stores to the antiques that we have. A lot of times we use our own family heirlooms in our shops. When I use fabrics and make things I really try to keep that in mind. It usually starts from a classic or preppy base and then I put details in it and try to make it fresh!
CM: How suitable that your store would be located in the Antique District in downtown Charleston!
BR: What’s so funny is that our shop and studio in Alabama is in an old house that was built in 1833 and the bottom part of the house was an antique store! It was closed for two years before we moved in and the family that had it left all the antiques in there. So it really just worked out that way. We really try to pattern the other stores after that one.
CM: For those people in Charleston who are not familiar with Billy Reid and have yet to come into the store, what can they expect?
BR: First, we want them to come and feel at home. That is the biggest thing. We try to treat everyone that walks in here as a welcome guest. We have things in here from handmade shoes and hand tailored clothing to jeans and t-shirts and everything in between. In Men’s we also have various fits so there are some shirts that fit very classic and some that fit much trimmer and a lot more progressive. One thing we sell is a lot of shirts! So the mix is a pretty good balance. We have people coming in that are 18 and some that are 60 and sometimes they are buying the same thing. I like that!
CM: What do you have new coming out in the fall?
BR: We have Selvage denim being made in Kentucky. It’s again one of these things that just happened. We started making denim in Alabama. Unfortunately, the factory that I was working with closed. USA manufacturing is going by the wayside. We partnered with these folks that work with a lot of great denim companies. We called them and said, “Hey, you guys are experts in denim so let’s do something together!” There are archival references to this denim done in a modern way using selvage but in fabrics that are almost 40’s and 50’s inspired. There are also some fits that have the same reference. Selvage is a ready-made fabric for denim (what they used in the old days) that is very narrow. So when they cut it you can see the “selvage” edge. It’s a Japanese denim. A little higher quality.
CM: How do you see the Billy Reid label developing in the future? Will you stay Southern Based?
BR: I still have a lot of friends in New York and we do manufacture some things there. Our plan is to continue to grow at a good pace that’s comfortable and that we can manage. We will actually open a shop in New York this fall on Bond Street in this really cool old theater. That really is a big step. New York is where we started. I’m very excited about it! The last time NY saw me I was on my way out so it’s nice to show people what I’m up to. For the most part it’s totally starting over. Next we will look at international opportunities. Right now our goal is to keep making the stores that we have work, keep servicing the customers correctly, and New York is the next phase.
CM: If you could, what is one thing you would change about the Fashion Industry?
BR: Oh, man this is a great question! I love the process and it is a process that no school could teach you! To take something from your head and put it on the racks. That process is like no other thing that’s out there. To start a clothing collection there is no map. I learn something everyday and every season.
Also there really is no incubator for young talent. If I could change anything it would probably be within our educational system to make people more aware of not only the artistic part of it but also how to make it actually happen. CFDA has been a hot button on trying to gain a little more transparency with the process.
CM: Describe your personal style?
BR: What you see is what you get! My closet is very simple and not that big. I’m into things that last and are classic. I like things to fit a certain way and I’m very picky about that. I think I have one herringbone sports coat and a navy blazer. One tuxedo and the basics! My window is pretty narrow. It always goes back to a very rooted Southern quality because that’s how I was raised. My mother had a clothing store and was very into fashion. I was exposed to it that way! She was a Steel Magnolia’s mother!
CM: Welcome to Charleston!
BR: Thank you! We just love Charleston! I have fallen in love with it!
Billy Reid Boutique in Charleston
Check out the Billy Reid Boutique located at 150 King Street or visit the website at BillyReid.com.