BILLY REID OPENS FIRST WEST COAST SHOP IN LOS ANGELES
Southern designer Billy Reid has opened his first retail space in Los Angeles, a pop-up store at Platform in Culver City, Calif. Reid’s 15th store in the U.S., the new shop has been a longtime goal of Reid’s, who began his career in Los Angeles.
“L.A. holds a special place in my heart. Traveling from Texas to Los Angeles in my 20s taught me the value of my perspective as a designer and that leaning into my differences was cool,” says Reid, who has designed past collections with Los Angeles as his inspiration.
A four-time CFDA award winner, Billy Reid is known for his expertly crafted clothing and accessories, which effortlessly blend artisanship and sophistication. The brand is worn by celebrities including Justin Hartley, Ryan Hurd, Sam Heughan, Noah Centineo, Thomas Rhett, Shay Mooney, and Riley Green.
“When I first lived in L.A. I waited tables at Chin Chin on Sunset Boulevard,” says Reid, “ the big benefit was that I could eat free and see celebrities.” A few weeks later, Reid found a job with Wrangler Jeans as a sales trainee at the Downtown L.A. apparel market and lucked into a great opportunity with Reebok a month later where he would spend six years with the company, starting as a sale rep in California and later moving into design to work on the Greg Norman and golf collections. “I hung out at places like Gladstones in Malibu on Sundays, The Gaslight in Venice, Christie’s — a local bar near our apartment — Formosa Cafe in Hollywood, El Coyote Mexican, and Dukes for breakfast,” Reid says.
Reid is known for his resplendent southern decor, with a feeling of comfort and warmth in his boutiques. Each uniquely designed space combines traditional and modern furnishings, antiques, and curated art, evoking the feeling of stepping into a friend’s living room. The new boutique displays artwork by Alabama artist, Butch Anthony as well as a large gallery wall comprised of vintage European pieces. A seating area consists of mid-century vintage club chairs and a coffee table, and above hangs a custom chandelier made using driftwood from the Tennessee river. The tables were custom designed in-house using reclaimed white oak and the hanging fixtures are custom steel work.
“We’ve had a strong customer base in LA for a while, and we’re excited to meet them with a physical space to shop,” says Reid. “Platform is such an inviting and hospitable setting; we love the vibe there and are excited to be a part of it.” In celebration of its newest location, the Billy Reid LA store will be hosting events through the end of the year.
The Billy Reid store will carry the men’s collection as well as pieces from the brand’s recent collaboration with Gibson. The store is located in Platform at 8840 Washington Boulevard, Suite 104, and is open daily from 11 AM – 6 PM.
