party lines

André Benjamin Blessed With Words of Hope From Wintour

andre benjamin

Photo: Patrick McMullan

At the GQ party for up-and-coming menswear designers last night, André “3000” Benjamin wasn’t the musical entertainment, but rather one of the celebrants. His Benjamin Bixby label — a small, American-football-influenced line — made its quiet debut in a hotel room on Tuesday night, and even Her Vogue-ness Anna Wintour came by to offer good advice. “She liked it,” Benjamin said. “She was saying she hopes I get the right investors that believe in what I’m doing.”

A less sunny disposition was emanating from Green Day bassist Mike Dirnt, who was there to support designers Swaim and Christina Hudson of Obedient Sons, whose line he backs. “I don’t think actors or musicians should be designing,” said Dirnt. But what about Gwen Stefani’s critically praised L.A.M.B. collection? “I know Gwen. Her line is really cute, and it’s definitely a reflection of her style,” he said. “But I just think it’s oversaturated the market, quite honestly.”

While Gwen perhaps oversaturated the market, Michael Kors’s presence oversaturated the parties. Slipping away from the fête for his new menswear line, 1981, across the street at Saks, he stopped by to check out the GQ shindig. How’d he get out of his hosting duties? “Supposedly I’m in the bathroom right now,” he said.

André Benjamin Blessed With Words of Hope From Wintour