The love affair between Aviator Nation and Walk the Moon was born at ACL 2013 when the band debuted their, "Tightrope EP". Paige was wandering in between shows, when she heard them blasting from across Zilker park. She began running to their midday set.

It was love at first listen. After they wrapped their performance, the lead singer, Nick Petricca wandered backstage to the Aviator Nation Tipi and was gifted his very own ACL x Aviator Nation baseball tee. From that moment on, both Walk the Moon & Aviator Nation were super fans of each other. So much so, that Nick called the Signature rainbow hoodie his "spirit hoodie" that understands the rhythms of his soul. 

LA-based basics brand Aviator Nation is flying high these days. Last year, founder Paige Mycoskie—apparently, laid-back fashion runs in the fam—was crowned by GQ mag as one of America's best new menswear designers for her line of Cali cool retro tees, hoodies and surfer-faved apparel. In January, the beachy brand kickstarted the year with the opening of its third boutique in Malibu, located just down the street from celeb shopping haunt Malibu Country Mart.

Rainbows, sunbursts, and surfing are among the fixations of Paige Mycoskie’s, a fashion designer whose label Aviator Nation was just named by GQ magazine as one of the best new menswear labels in America.

For Paige, fashion is a family affair. Her brother Blake Mycoskie is the founder of the insanely popular, good-doing shoe brand TOMS. They traveled together on the first season of The Amazing Race.

2013 Best New Designers in America–GQ and Gap introduce their second menswear collection designed by the magazine’s four Best New Menswear Designers in America for 2013. Designers from Aviator Nation, Baldwin, Bespoken and Ernest Alexander take a stab at American classics reinterpreted with their signature aesthetic. The collection is available at Gap stores and at Gap.com. See our favorite pieces below.

What are you doing tomorrow? Because what you should be doing is queuing up for this year’s crop of our Best New Menswear Designers in America for Gap goods. Going on sale at select Gap stores and gap.com tomorrow morning, the lineup brings the best emerging menswear and accessories design to a mass audience, like Aviator Nation’s throwback surfer aesthetic. Get to know Paige Mycoskie, the woman who behind the SoCal brand, after the jump.

Walking into the Aviator Nation store on Abbot Kinney in Venice is like stumbling into a frat house with a feminine touch. Steely Dan, Doors and Grateful Dead album covers and vintage skate decks nailed to the walls, a record player spinning Aerosmith's "Sweet Emotion," a "720 Degrees" arcade game in the corner, stacks and stacks of foam trucker hats, T-shirts and hoodies spreading good vibes like "Pray for Surf" and "California Is For Lovers".... It's such a sensory experience, you half expect your shoes to be sticking to the floor from last night's kegger.

Guys, if you're looking for someone to take spring style advice from, the cool blonde longboarding to work might not be a bad place to start. Since 2006, Paige Mycoskie, the founder of Aviator Nation, one of GQ's Best New Menswear Designers in America, has been churning out ultra-soft sweats and tees with a feel-good '70s vibe. Imagine the nostalgia and comfort of broken-in thrift shop finds—only brand new and super fresh.

Our first look at every limited edition piece from this year's capsule collection, designed by Aviator Nation, Bespoken, Ernest Alexander, and Baldwin, on sale right now at select Gap stores and gap.com

we totally want to be friends with paige mycoskie. not only is she a rad gal, but she created a really badass mens, womens and childrens clothing line called aviator nation (named after paige’s love for aviator sunglasses). paige’s obsession with the look and feel of vintage tees lead to the birth of aviator nation after mucho research and inspection into how t-shirts and sweatpants were produced in the past. paige studied screen printing, inks, and techniques used in the 60’s and 70’s, so that aviator nation would authentically represent the look and feel of vintage garb…

This California inspired brand is one of our favorites to work with! Every item has that “broken in” vintage store feel, making it so soft and wearable for all bodies. I also love how the hoodies and pants are lined in a light absorbent terry cloth, making it the most obvious choice for the pool and beach.

The Abbot Kinney Festival, now in its 31st year, takes place along a mile-long stretch of the world-famous Abbot Kinney Boulevard, arguably the “coolest block in America”.

The Boulevard’s eclectic boutiques, artisan eateries and influential art galleries infuse the festival with a local flavor that makes this event unique and not to be missed. 

Join us on the last Sunday in September for a day of fun, food and entertainment while you soak in the convivial spirit of the sunny beach-side community of Venice!