Iconic fashion designer Billy Reid marked 20 years in business with a three-day celebration of food, fashion, art, and music.

The Shindig festival, held from October 11 to 13 in Florence, Alabama returned after a five-year hiatus brought on by the pandemic. Reid began hosting his Shindigs in 2009 as a way to bring fashion lovers from around the nation — and beyond — to his backyard in the Shoals.

Reid’s accolades are numerous: he is a four time CFDA winner, the 2010 GQ/CFDA Best New Menswear Designer in America, and the owner of 14 freestanding stores.

Reid also happens to be really, really good at throwing a party.

Attendees from New York City, Los Angeles and Austin mingled with guests from local spots for an unbeatable fall weekend — with delicious meals, moving musical performances, and, of course, modern American style.

The menu for Friday evening’s welcome dinner was curated by Chefs Sean Brock and Adam Evans. Both Brock, a Muscle Shoals native, and Evans, who hails from Virginia, are known for their innovative Southern cuisine.

Matthew Houck, Huntsville native and leader of the band Phosphorescent, performed his ethereal melodies on Friday evening. Houck was followed by rock duo The Kills, Alison Mosshart and Jamie Hince.

Saturday morning brunch was served upstairs at The Stricklin Hotel. Pork gravy over grits, biscuits and jam, coffee and sweet tea fueled festival attendees for the full morning.

Image provided by Emily Dorio

Fern Mallis, founder of New York Fashion Week and guest Project Runway judge, sat down with Reid to explore the highs and lows of his decades-long career.

Reid grew up in the small town of Amite City, Louisiana, where his mother ran a clothing store out of Reid’s grandmother’s old house. His uncle, Tommy, was a head chef on the Delta Queen and a sharp dresser.

“He was incredibly stylish,” Reid said of his uncle. “Always had a little handkerchief around his neck. He dressed impeccably well. He toured South America and Central America on different cruise ships and he was a great chef.”

After unsuccessful starts at two Louisiana colleges, Reid transferred to the Art Institute of Dallas. There, he found his stride. He studied design and merchandising, while working full time for Saks Fifth Avenue. By age 21, Reid was managing the men’s designer sportswear department at the Dallas Saks.

From Dallas, Reid moved to the 90210 zip code to pursue acting. He shared a one bedroom apartment and survived on Chin Chin leftovers, brought home by his waiter roommate. He never got an acting gig but he did get a sales job at Reebok.

The contacts Reid made at Reebok were invaluable when he launched his original brand, William Reid.

From the beginning, Reid’s designs were meant to be staples.

“I’ve always thought that clothes should live with you and they should not wear you,” said Reid. “You should be able to put a piece in your closet and, ten years from now, pull that same piece out.”

The designer spoke with affection about Jeanne, his wife of 30 years, and their three children.

In 2004, Reid opened stores in Florence, Houston and Dallas. The original Florence shop was in an old house. Reid’s wife and sister-in-law ran the front of the store, while he worked from an upstairs studio.

The Billy Reid storefront on Court Street, which now anchors downtown Florence, opened five years ago.

Most recently, Reid acquired Knot Standard.

“Knot Standard is a custom clothing maker that works on an AI-based technology. We’re integrating that into our brand now,” said Reid.

Mallis and Reid opened the floor for questions. Reid was asked what advice he would give aspiring designers.

“It’s not just given to you,” said Reid. “You’ve got to learn something.”

Reid said that good energy, a strong work ethic and a positive attitude will take would-be designers further than a specific degree or raw talent.

Private recording studio tours of Muscle Shoals Sound and Fame Studios ran concurrently with the conversation between Reid and Mallis.

Introducing folks to the deep musical history of the area, before the 2013 release of the Muscle Shoals documentary, was a primary motivation behind the early Shindig festivals.

Otis Redding, Aretha Franklin, Alison Krauss and Jason Isbell are just a few of the greats who have come to the Shoals across the decades to produce music.

“My brother-in-law is an expert-level Muscle Shoals guy,” said Reid. “We had him setup inside the studio and he spun his records. Every record he’d spin he’d tell the story behind it. And it was so powerful.”

Image provided by Robert Rausch

A tailgate party was held on Saturday afternoon at McFarland Park on the banks of the Tennessee River. The Alabama South Carolina game played on a big screen projector, set up under the pines. Chefs Josh Quick and Bill Briand put together a menu for the laid-back afternoon by the water.

Doors opened at 7 p.m. for the 20th anniversary runway show, held at the Shoals Theatre on Seminary Street in downtown Florence.

Over thirty looks, which captured Reid’s ageless and timeless aesthetic, were presented at the show.

Abraham Alexander performed during the show, with his stirring song “Lovers Game” setting the mood for the show.

Reid’s daughter Abba modeled a wool turtleneck sweater dress under a calf-length plaid overcoat. The look was finished with fawn colored boots and a walnut brown leather bag, both from the Billy Reid archives.

Musician Shelly Colvin modeled a bold, cherry red suit. Colvin sported an upturned cowboy hat and a scarf from the label’s archives. Artist Justin Lyons created a one of a kind black, red and white T-shirt to compliment this look.

A stand-out ensemble from the show was a knee-length, tailored jacquard coat, paired with a “one of one” tee and bespoke jeans.

Gillian Welch and Dave Rawlings followed Alexander on the stage. For two hours, the pair mesmerized the crowd with their exquisitely haunting tunes. The folk duo is well known for their work on the O Brother, Where Art Thou? soundtrack. The instrumental and vocal stylings of Welch and Rawlings are pure Americana, the musical equivalent of Reid’s style.

Reid’s son Walton headlined The Alley party and Billy joined the performance on guitar. The party didn’t stop until the small hours.

One final gathering, brunch at Odette’s, was held on Sunday morning. Festival guests stopped at the Court Street store for a final farewell and a chance to snag the pieces that they couldn’t stop thinking about.

Shindig is style, food, music, conversation, and dancing — with friends old and new. And that will always be in great taste.