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Reid Re-Launches
Aug 22, 2002/ FWD/ --- New York designer William Reid is back in business in a big way.
After a successful launch in 2000, Reid's luxurious yet quirky designs were hot enough to
win him the 2001 CFDA Perry Ellis Menswear Award.
Reid was on a roll, but then every new designer's nightmare occurred -- his backers pulled
the plug.
"We were very surprised when we received the news that our backer was no longer funding us.
We had tremendous momentum, the clothes were selling and we really felt that we had a special
opportunity. Unfortunately, he was unable to maintain his commitment," Reid told FWD.
Thankfully, the label has acquired funding by a private group of investors, and Reid will
show again this New York fashion week.
The signature fusion of diversified fabrics and tailoring will remain, but this time the
designer, born in South Louisiana, is taking inspiration from modern America.
"The concept for spring 2003 is essentially about interesting, modern American clothing.
There is a sort of mystical Southern nod that is present in the collection. The men's and
women's collections share fabrications, which provides a dialogue and synergy.
The women's line takes on a charming romantic role in sexy shapes and unusual layering mixes.
The men's collection is ultimately masculine with lean cuts and gutsy construction," Reid
explained.
The William Reid label was originally sold at Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue and Bloomingdale's,
and its diverse appeal was one of the keys to its original success.
"Our customer spans a wide age category," says Reid. "They are like the people we are
surrounded by: urban, fashion-conscious men and women who take great interest in the way
they look and generally don't follow trends. "
Even with a re-launch underway, Reid is still looking to the future.
Shoes, for example, were a critical and commercial success for him, and he hopes to re-launch
them for fall 2003.
"We would like to grow the label with the right stores at the right pace and eventually build
a new American luxury brand," he says.
"We would certainly entertain the opportunity to strategically align with a company that
could assist our efforts."
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