Gant & Michael Bastian

Gant has recently been making some major changes and one of their biggest and most exciting changes has been the hire of designer Michael Bastian. If you know anything about sportswear you'll know that Micheal Bastian is one of America's most talented sportswear designers. Michael Bastian has worked with Sotheby's, Tiffany & Co., Polo Ralph Lauren, and Bergdorf Goodman, where he was the men's Fashion Director.

Bastian launched his own menswear line, Michael Bastian, 5 years ago and it's sold worldwide. He's been nominated three times for the CFDA Menswear Designer of the Year Award, in 2008, 2009 and 2010. He was also nominated for the 2007 CFDA Newcomer Menswear Designer of the Year Award, and was a finalist for the 2007 CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund Award.

So what has he been doing for Gant? Well, Gant is almost 100 years old and there's quite a bit of heritage to play with. Michael first menswear collection for Autumn Winter 2010 was insired by lacrosse. Yes, it's not your most typical sport but I always found lacrosse to be a very cool sport so I'm quite delighted that the collection was inspired by it. It's quite astounding what a designer can do for a sport.  Will Gant do for lacrosse what Ralph Lauren did for rugby? Well lacrosse is actually becoming more popular at American Universities. I quite like the collection - it's young, a bit preppy with bow ties, slim trousers and pea coats.

Michael Bastian has also done his first womenswear collection, for Spring Summer 2011!