AllHipHop.com Daily News - : GQ Names Andre 3000 One Of Best New American Designers

Welcome to AllHipHop.com: Black History Year Sign in | Join

> Lil Wayne Jail Term Delayed For Oral Surgery

NEWS

GQ Names Andre 3000 One Of Best New American Designers

Friday, January 23, 2009 2:58 PM | 43 comments

By Tai Saint-Louis

Outkast’s Andre 3000 continues to receive accolades in his endeavors
outside of the Hip-Hop realm. The rapper-turned-actor and much more has
been heralded by GQ Magazine as one of the Best New Designers in America
for his prep-inspired men’s line Benjamin Bixby.

As part of GQ’s third annual search, Dre, born Andre Benjamin, was
selected alongside five other designers as “a class of designers whose
vision is as broad and diverse as the country itself.” Joining
Benjamin Bixby are Save Khaki, Robert Geller, Yigal Azrouel, Shipley &
Halmos, and Rogues Gallery.

Of the six designers selected, Andre is the only one who does not come
from a strictly fashion background.

He first introduced Benjamin Bixby in February 2008, as a self-funded
venture. At the time, the line consisted of about 70 pieces inspired
equally by Hip-Hop’s love of prep styles in the 90s and college
football circa 1935.

While the line is a departure from the funky styles that became
synonymous with Andre 3000 during his promotion of Outkast’s last two
albums, he explains it was drawn from the same creative place, but
crafted to be more accessible to consumers.

“During OutKast’s Stankonia period, I looked like I was from
Mars,” Andre tells GQ. “The music was otherworldly, and my character
reflected that. I wanted to put that spirit into classic clothes, but
ones that people could actually wear.”

In September, Benjamin entered into an agreement with upscale retailer
Barney’s to offer Benjamin Bixby clothing in the U.S. exclusively
through Barneys.com.

The pieces offered online run from $95.00 polo shirts to $395 sweaters,
to outerwear in the $1500 price range.

While rumors of an upcoming Andre 3000 solo album or Outkast reunion
album continue to brew, Dre seems to be much more quiet on the Hollywood
front. Following his role in last year’s Battle In Seattle, the story
of protesters at the World Trade Organization Ministerial Conference of
1999, Dre was scheduled to appear in New York, I Love You.

However, with New York scheduled to hit theaters in February,
information about the film does not include Andre as part of the
ensemble cast, which brings together Natalie Portman, Kevin Bacon, Ethan
Hawk, Saul Williams, Robin Wright Penn and many more Hollywood
A-Listers.

Comments

	WILLY KILLEM? said: CONGRATS TO 3 STACKS!! I can dig that. January 23, 2009 3:04 PM
	Headlines said: Outkast’s Andre 3000 continues to receive accolades in his endeavors outside of the Hip-Hop realm. The January 23, 2009 3:11 PM
	Eight Mile Road Music News » GQ Names Andre 3000 One Of Best New American Designers said: PingBack from http://eightmileroad.com/?p=7843 January 23, 2009 3:13 PM
	TROOPER74 said: CONGRATS TO 3 STACKZ!!!! HIP HOP MAKING ANOTHER GREAT MOVE. SHOWING WE CAN DO ANYTHING IF U PUT YOUR MIND TO IT. CUZ HE DIDN'T HAVE A FASHION BACKGROUND. HE JUST KNOW HOW TO DRAW GOOD AND HAD A GREAT VISION. January 23, 2009 3:29 PM
	GQ Names Andre 3000 One Of Best New American Designers \| Generation-HipHop said: PingBack from http://www.generation-hiphop.com/breaking-news/gq-names-andre-3000-one-of-best-new-american-designers/ January 23, 2009 3:34 PM
	Ms_JoiBella said: CONGRAT DRE, BUT $1500? THAT'S KINDA EXPENSIVE. KEEP DOING YA THING MAYNE... January 23, 2009 3:37 PM
	TruthInScience said: This is the only part that I am disappointed in 3 Stacks. Brother once rapped: She said, "Why in the club, you don't make it precipate? You know, make it rain when you could make it thunderstorm?" I'm like, why? The world needs sun. The hood needs funds There's a war going on and half the battle is guns How dare I throw it on the floor When people are poor is going to come out with a brand with prices that regular people could not afford. Really Andre, who is your audience? You can still be creative and develop a quality brand without having these ridicilous prices. January 23, 2009 3:47 PM
	djcbz said: FANTASTIC DRE! REAL INDIVIDUAL RIGHT THERE! WISH I COULD FIND AN ARTIST LIKE HIM! ANYBODY ANYBODY OH FOREGET IT!!!! STUCK WITH THE LAMO'S January 23, 2009 3:49 PM
	poe said: big ups! January 23, 2009 3:50 PM
	M.E.M.P.H.I.S 10 said: Would like to check out that gear. January 23, 2009 4:14 PM
	a-real said: good look. but he said he wanted to make clothes that were accessible and that everyone could wear....the average joe can't pay $395 for a sweater or $1500 for any article of clothing. Still congrats to 3000 for doing his thing. January 23, 2009 4:16 PM
	feelitall said: congrads dre but i aint going to buy a shirt for 95 bones....give me a tee shirt and some dickies and i can spend the rest on some goodie ;-) January 23, 2009 4:17 PM
	Shifty_UK said: i fuks with andre. he is the definition of orginiality and self expr3ssion. January 23, 2009 4:17 PM
	Redviagra said: Congrats Home Team... EastPoint's finest!!!! COngrats!!! January 23, 2009 4:19 PM
	mr.201973 said: i-ight http://www.amalgamdigital.com/artist-details.aspx?id=2119 January 23, 2009 4:23 PM
	Huey vs Riley said: I checked the website... That shit aint nothing special. $95 for a polo... thats easy money, all polo's look the same anyways, put a little logo in the upper corner and a $10 shirt becomes a $95 shirt. The leather jacket looks nice though, next time I find $639 on the sidewalk... I'll buy a shitload of lottery tickets, then when I win the lottery I'll probably buy a nicer leather jacket for less money January 23, 2009 4:45 PM
	Its_BX_NYC_187 said: Since Everyone Likes Promoting Their Music On Here... Here's My New Video... I Want To See What The Real Hip Hop Heads Have To Say And What All The Haters Have To Say Too... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GbrFrEZvGTs http://www.youtube.com/user/CRISISBX January 23, 2009 5:00 PM
	Six6SoCaliGuy said: DO YO THANG 3000, I WONT BE WEARING THE STUFF BUT GET YOU PAPER!! WESTIIIDDDEEEE!!!!! January 23, 2009 5:20 PM
	HelloMister said: AHA HUSH DAT FUSS EUURYYBODY MOVE TO DA BACK OF DA BUS!! CONDOM VERSUS CAT - http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=50919720 January 23, 2009 5:23 PM
	snoopdog44144 said: wow.. you gotta be kddin me.. I would never wear any of his freaky looking crap... January 23, 2009 5:47 PM
	DABIZ said: Model Of The Moment : Miss Juicci //THICK AS HELL// http://www.atlnightspots.com/model-of-the-moment-miss-juicci/ January 23, 2009 5:54 PM
	lamarrion said: Congratz to 3 stacks Seen it in GQ with Lebron on the cover. Kinda nice ain't feelin the suit with the sandals look but do ya thang mayne. January 23, 2009 6:10 PM
	FrostByte said: This fucking Drag Queen dresses like a Gay Clown. Fuck him. You mark my words, it is just a matter of time before she comes out the closet. Out January 23, 2009 7:33 PM
	LilDwayne21 said: Congrats to Dre. It's always good to have something to fall back on besides your behind January 23, 2009 10:38 PM
	Sean Stylez said: congratz to him but his style of dress is off to me. January 23, 2009 11:32 PM
	Illmatic T said: nice but i havent seen any of his clothes i might have to get me some soon January 24, 2009 1:38 AM
	ATLZONE4 said: ^^^^ you ain't gon buy shit. and take off your big brother's t-shirt before he finds out that you been rambling through his closet again January 24, 2009 3:43 AM
	GQ Names Andre 3000 One Of Best New American Designers \| The Urban Daily said: PingBack from http://theurbandaily.blackplanet.com/news/gq-names-andre-3000-one-of-best-new-american-designers/ January 24, 2009 8:13 AM
	EST said: Good point TruthInScience, the prices have to be reasonable enough but certainly not cheap. But I give Dre credit for this one, this is major. Some of the polos and button-ups I would wear but some of it overpriced and just not my thing. January 24, 2009 10:21 AM
	MRGODBYROAD said: ONE ONE HAND...DO YOUR THANG DRE'!!!!!!!!!! SOUTHSIDE!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ON THE OTHER......DUDE THE PRICES ARE TOO HIGH!!!! January 24, 2009 10:44 AM
	FrostByte said: http://madnews.wordpress.com/2008/07/22/rick-ross-exposed-as-a-fake/ This guy is full of jelly donuts. Yummy.... January 24, 2009 1:05 PM
	FrostByte said: Fuck And Gay 3000. January 24, 2009 1:14 PM
	loch121 said: CLICK MY NAME CHECK OUT LOCH'S NEW 50 CENT FREESTYLE!!!! SUBSCRIBE AND BEFRIEND YOUTUBE.COM/LOCHOFMCEO January 24, 2009 2:40 PM
	EmzieHHK said: GOOD FOR ANDRE!! www.hip-hopkings.com January 24, 2009 3:37 PM
	tbirdandkoolaid said: if i was sitting on about a half billion, i still wouldn't buy that. i would have my clothes handmade my kids earnin 40 bucks a year. 95 bones for a polo....ummm, yeah as soon as i fill out this TPS report. January 25, 2009 12:23 AM
	Section targeting said: PingBack from http://www.todaysdrum.com/2128/gq-names-andre-3000-one-of-best-new-american-designers/ January 25, 2009 6:53 AM
	BabyNigga said: gfyiuiwrghuirghrg January 25, 2009 2:21 PM
	Infamous Markiss said: Good look, keep doing ya thing January 25, 2009 3:39 PM
	Apostle13 said: Thats dope and all, but i read some place else that it wasnt bringing in revenue??? someone help me out... January 25, 2009 5:07 PM
	Huey vs Riley said: If I'm being real honest... I mean, I can't know for sure, but to me it kinda looks like GQ needed a black/urban entry on their list... I mean... I don't know too much about fashion or whatever, but nobody can convince me that any of those designs are good or even inventive. I'm calling reverse racism. Call me a hater if you want, I'm just keeping it real. January 25, 2009 6:03 PM
	Huey vs Riley said: I mean compare that bixby shit to the other people on that list. For example, Yigal Azrouel... http://www.yigal-azrouel.com/ Shit if bixby is inventive then that^^ shit is like the discovery of aspirine January 25, 2009 6:09 PM
	01/25/09 - GQ Names Andre 3000 One Of Best New American Designers - AlbumGrab said: PingBack from http://www.albumgrab.com/forums/industry-news/354532-01-25-09-gq-names-andre-3000-one-best-new-american-designers.html#post560461 January 25, 2009 7:10 PM
	GQ Names Andre 3000 as One of the Best New Designers in America \| said: PingBack from http://fawker.us/2009/01/26/gq-names-andre-3000-as-one-of-the-best-new-designers-in-america/ January 26, 2009 10:36 AM