GQ announced today the return of the Best New Menswear Designers in America program. The project, established in 2007, recognizes the best young menswear designers in the country and works to advance the talented up-and-comers. The designers were selected by GQ editor-in-chief Jim Nelson and creative director Jim Moore, along with the magazine’s fashion editors. As part of the project, the four designers will be featured in the April 2015 issue of GQ, on national newsstands March 31, and will collaborate with Gap on a limited-edition collection, to be sold in the fall exclusively at Gap stores.
GQ’s 2015 Best New Menswear Designers in America are:
- David Hart (Brooklyn, established 2009) – Ever since he showed up to elementary school wearing a bow tie, designer David Hart has had an affinity for tailored clothes. Six years ago Hart launched a small tie line that spawned a full men’s collection. Inspired by the fashion of the 1950s and ’60s, he designs with one foot in the past and one in the future bringing classically tailored techniques into the 21st century with updated fits, modern combinations, and a sophisticated color palette. Wool and silk ties, colorful donegal tweed suiting, and trim banlon polo shirts have all become David Hart classics that bring a bit of crooner cool to the modern man.
- Stampd (L.A., established 2011) – Stampd combines West Coast street and surf cultures with a little bit of East Coast edge. Designer Chris Stamp has a unique vision in a limited color palette: using mainly black and white, he takes classic athletic and streetwear silhouettes and executes them in stark greyscale contrasts. Bold graphic tees, nylon flight jackets, snapback caps, and leather accessories all work together to create a simple yet complex look and gives sportswear an edgy, progressive twist.
- NSF (L.A., established 2005) – NSF’s clothes are distressed from day one, handshredded and dyed so many times that they look as if you've had them for years. Designers Nick Friedberg and Jamie Haller are vintage enthusiasts that aren’t concerned with simplicity; they look for pieces that are sun-faded or paint-spattered or holey. They are the epitome of the West Coast cool, focused on comfort, realism and a touch of grunge. Inspired by musicians, skateboarders and artists, NSF makes clothes that are meant to be lived in, and look the part.
- The Hill-Side (Brooklyn, established 2009) – Brothers Emil and Sandy Corsillo are textile nerds at heart. Inspired by a mutual obsession with vintage denim and Japanese fabrics, they started The Hill-Side doing square-bottom ties in rare textiles, which quickly grew into a full accessories line, and now they can dress a man head to toe. Their approach to making garments is simple: make the same object every season but offer it in a wide variety of high-quality fabrications.
“The most exciting part about this program is the strength and speed with which it continues to grow —and the way it helps support the growing menswear movement in America,” says GQ editor-in-chief Jim Nelson. “The goal has always been to offer a launchpad for young talent, and I was thrilled to see our designers' clothes selling out in Gap stores across the country last year. The 2015 designers are impressive, fresh, and most importantly bring unique perspectives to the world of men's fashion. I can’t wait to see what hits the shelves in the fall.”
"We are thrilled with this year’s selection of designers, and the Gap team can’t wait to bring their vision to life,” said Tony Kretten, Vice President of Men’s Design for Gap. “Jim Moore and Jim Nelson have made another amazing selection of menswear designers to add to the alumnae of this program. Each designer has their own unique and signature style from LA surf/street, NYC retro chic, Japanese inspired American craft and west coast personal DIY style. I love this group – can’t wait until October."
As part of the Best New Menswear Designers in America project, GQ will mentor each designer as they create an affordable capsule line that will be available this fall at select Gap stores in more than 7 countries, as well as at www.gap.com. Additionally, pieces from the collection will be featured in the October 2015 issue of GQ.
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