Billy Reid, an Alabama-based fashion designer, and Gibson, a Nashville-based instrument powerhouse, have recently launched a new collaboration. First, of its kind for Gibson, this capsule collection for men is inspired by the legendary Hummingbird guitar used by such artists as Lenny Kravitz, Thom Yorke, Sheryl Crow, and Keith Richards.
Reid, a talented guitarist himself, researched earlier versions of Hummingbird pickguard artwork and collaborated with the Gibson team to create a fresh Kissing Hummingbirds pickguard design. The Kissing Hummingbird motif may be seen throughout the one-of-a-kind Gibson guitar parts and Billy Reid designs, appropriately representing the partnership between the two brands.
“From the influence of Muscle Shoals Sound Studio to our Shindig performances, music has been at the core of the Billy Reid brand since the very beginning,” says Reid.
“I’m a big Gibson Hummingbird fan and the picture of the iconic pickguard has been on our inspiration board for many years. Collaborations like this are some are of the coolest things we get to do.”
Gibson artists Abraham Alexander and Aaron Lee Tasjan appear in imagery to commemorate the brand’s new collaboration with Billy Reid. The partnership makes perfect sense for Gibson Brands’ president and CEO, James “JC” Curleigh.
“Music culture has always been synonymous with individual style and authentic expression,” explains Curleigh. “The opportunity to combine the iconic Gibson Hummingbird vibe into a lifestyle collaboration with Billy Reid is exciting for us, but even more exciting for our fans.”
Products from the Billy Reid x Gibson range include t-shirts, sweatshirts, sweaters, button-downs in a western style, and leather café racer jackets. Guitar picks and straps with Hummingbird-themed designs are also on the way.
