Michael Bastian: the Man, the Designer

Michael Bastian was born in Lyons, New York, a small Upstate town near Lake Ontario.

After graduating from Babson College in Wellesley, Massachusetts, he moved to New York City, where his first job was as an Assistant Buyer at Abraham & Strauss.

This was followed by positions within Sotheby’s, Tiffany & Co., Polo Ralph Lauren, and most recently, Bergdorf Goodman, where he was the men’s fashion director for five years. It was this experience that led Bastian to launch his own menswear line, MICHAEL BASTIAN.

“Through the process of setting the men’s fashion direction for Bergdorf Goodman, it became increasingly clear to me that there was a real need for a new American voice in the men’s designer world—something modern and luxurious, but also a little broken down and familiar.

I start with something perfectly designed and executed, then spend a lot of time knocking the edge off of that perfection.” Now in its ninth season, MICHAEL BASTIAN is carried in over 50 retail locations in America, Canada, Japan, Europe and the Middle East.

Fall 2010 [saw] the launch of a new special collaboration, GANT by Michael Bastian….

This collection will be widely distributed in over 60 countries worldwide, in both GANT stores and independent specialty retailers. He is a resident of New York City.

Photos & text Copyright Gant.

Gant & Michael Bastian Spring/Summer 2011

The spring 2011 season, featuring both men’s and women’s sportswear and accessories, is inspired by the unlikely combination of the sports nerd and the bombshell finding each other and falling in love.

The curious pair embarks on a yesteryear affair, further inspired by the honeymoon destination of mid-century Niagara Falls.

Michael Bastian explained: “We all know the GANT guy – pretty straightforward, athletic, and healthy.

The men’s collection is clean and refined with colorful classics and easy warm-weather washed-out signature pieces, including lightweight patchwork button downs, shorts and rousers, featherweight corduroy suit separates and the perfect swimsuit.

About Gant
GANT is a lifestyle brand with an American sportswear heritage, offering modern high quality casual wear with a European touch.

The company’s values are based on its authentic American East Coast heritage, dating back to the launch of the brand in 1949.

Since then the brand has been further developed, taking inspiration from Europe in terms of fabrics, designs, and lifestyle influences.

Today GANT is a truly global lifestyle brand offering a full range of clothing for men, women, and children.

In addition GANT branded timewear, footwear, eyewear, fragrances and home furnishings are designed and marketed by licensees.

GANT’s history began when Bernard Gant started making shirts in New Haven, Connecticut.
He quickly turned his passion for quality and design into the business of making casual sportswear.

His sons, Marty and Elliot, later joined the company and maintained their father’s dedication to garment craftsmanship and attention to detail. Now, it is a Swiss-owned company.

Everything GANT does originates from the shirt. It is the very foundation upon which the
GANT brand was built.

GANT has a history of strong international growth, and is today established in over 60 countries through 600 GANT stores and a large number of selected premium retailers.

See the entire look book here here.

Photos & text Copyright Gant.