GQ Names Andre 3000 a “Best New Designer in America”

Posted by Bossip Staff

Although his Benjamin Bixby clothing line sales are in the dump, Andre 3000 still has something to smile about:

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.

Don’t get us wrong, we dig Andre, but we just wonder at what point in time they started dishing out accolades to designers who make sh*t no one buys.  Congrats anyway, for what it’s worth.

More pics below.

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