CFDA and GQ release "Best New Menswear Designers in America"

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Who's the next Ralph Lauren or Calvin Klein? It very well could be one of the men behind the six labels just nominated for GQ's Best New Menswear Designers in America award. The initiative, which is backed by the CFDA, is in its second year and, along with last year's winner Engineered Garments, hopes to deem one label that which we should have in our closets by next season.

Some nominees come as no surprise -- Rogues Gallery, for instance -- but others made us raise an eyebrow not in disagreement but rather in appreciation of their recognition. To see Andre 3000's Benjamin Bixby (pictured) on the list means that his throw-way-back line of prep school sweaters and tailored blazers could ascend above the detritus of celebrity fashion lines that are plaguing the industry. Also, we were super excited to see one of our favorite khaki brands, Save, get nominated because they really make one of the best pairs of pants you'll ever own. Here is the full list of nominees:

• Benjamin Bixby (Andrew Benjamin, designer)
• Robert Geller (Robert Geller, designer)
• Rogues Gallery (Alex Carleton, designer)
• Save Khaki (David Mullen, designer)
• Shipley & Halmos (Sam Shipley and Jeff Halmos, designers)
• Yigal Azrouel (Yigal Azrouel, designer)

The winner of the Best New Menswear Designers in America awards will design a capsule line for Levi's which will be shown at a special event in New York City, February 11, 2009, as well as $50,000 cash. Not bad at all.

-- SETH PLATTNER

via PR Newswire