Menswear Designer of the Year Billy Reid debuts Alabama Seafood Series

FLORENCE, Ala., June 8, 2012  /PRNewswire/ -- Alabama-based fashion designer Billy Reid, who was recently named Menswear Designer of the Year by the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA), has debuted a special series of Alabama Gulf Seafood t-shirts and hats that are now available for purchase at BillyReid.com.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120608/CL21790 )

The series includes two hats and four T-shirts, designed by Billy Reid and featuring fishing boats, crabs and oysters along with the Alabama Gulf Seafood mark. Hats will sell for $38 and T-shirts for $56, and a portion of proceeds will benefit the Alabama Conservation and Natural Resources Foundation.

Reid created the line not only as a fundraiser but also to support a newly-launched effort to market Alabama Gulf Seafood. The regional marketing campaign, launched in May, highlights the state's 54 miles of brief, but beautiful coastline, and its seafood industry from tide to table.

"The time was right to throw the support of our brand behind efforts to celebrate the culture and history of the beautiful Gulf coast along with the seafood that comes from coastal waters," Reid said. "Chefs and foodies have long known about great Southern culinary traditions like barbecue and grits, and it is time that we amplify our amazing coastal cuisine as well."

On Saturday, June 9th, Reid will showcase the new Alabama Gulf Seafood series and serve up shrimp and oysters during his annual Big Apple Barbecue at his New York retail store – a private party celebrating the Big Apple Barbecue Block Party in Madison Square Park.

Next week, the T-shirts and hats will begin arriving at Reid's six other retail stores located in Florence, AL; Atlanta, GA; Charleston, SC; Nashville, TN; Dallas, TX; and Houston, TX.

"Having an Alabama celebrity like Billy Reid share the Alabama Gulf Seafood story in culinary-rich cities, such as New York, Atlanta, Charleston and Houston will bring well-deserved attention to the Gulf Coast seafood industry," said Chris Blankenship, Program Administrator for the Alabama Seafood Marketing Commission. "A designer of his caliber joining our effort tells the world that we produce a premium, quality, one-of-a-kind product."

Reid has become known in the fashion world for his T-shirts designed to support various causes. Last year, he sold a limited-edition T-shirt emblazoned with the word RISE to benefit tornado relief in his home state. The year before proceeds from Reid's "Tennessee Love" T-shirt benefited residents impacted by floods in and around Nashville, TN.

ABOUT BILLY REID DESIGN 
Billy Reid's modern approach to traditional American sportswear bears its authenticity in its Southern roots and a work wear influenced heritage. Reid's twists on classics such as hand tailored suiting, hunting-inspired outerwear, classic shirting, and sportswear separates made to endure a lifetime represent the core of his men's, women's, and accessories collections. In 2010, Billy became the first designer to win the GQ /CFDA Best New Designer in America Award and the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund in the same year. In 2012, Billy was awarded Menswear Designer of the Year at the Council of Fashion Designers of America Awards for his namesake collection.

ABOUT THE ALABAMA SEAFOOD MARKETING COMMISSION 
Established by Alabama Governor Robert Bentley by executive order signed in March of 2011, the Alabama Seafood Marketing Commission (ASMC) was created to help provide advice, oversight, management and encouragement to the marketing of Alabama seafood. Led by Chris Blankenship, director of the Alabama Marine Resource Division of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, the ASMC is comprised of volunteer members appointed by the Governor that includes fishermen, processors, charter boat operators, retailers, restaurant owners and others directly and indirectly related to the Alabama seafood industry.

SOURCE Alabama Seafood Marketing Commission (ASMC)