The 2011 finalists have been announced in GQ's fourth annual Best New Menswear Designers in America contest: Patrik Ervell, Alexander Wang for T by Alexander Wang, Michael Bastian for Gant, Rick Klotz for Warriors of Radness, Kirk Miller for Miller's Oath and Riviera Club's Joe Sadler, Derek Buse and Greg Ullery. The winner will take the crown from 2010's reigning champ (and member of the Thread 10) Billy Reid.
This year, Dockers takes over sponsorship of the process from Levi's, and the final six will be tasked with creating a head-to-toe look with khaki pants that will be available in limited-edition at certain Bloomingdale's stores this fall. Dockers president Jim Calhoun said, "Dockers champions those who do what they love and do it with pride and conviction. We are proud to support these talented designers, give their passions visibility, and celebrate the timeless style of khaki."
From those looks, a panel of judges (including GQ editor in chief Jim Nelson; designer Tommy Hilfiger; GQ creative director Jim Moore; CFDA executive director Steven Kolb; Dockers SVP of design Doug Conklyn; and Bloomingdale's VP of fashion direction Kevin Harter) will select a winner to receive $50,000, as well as mentoring from their respective organizations. The designers will be introduced as finalists during a GQ-sponsored presentation of their fall collections during fashion week. Let's hear it for the boys!
