In recent years, Thom Browne has established himself as, perhaps, North America’s most influential menswear designer. So why haven’t you heard of him?
It’s because, until Holt Renfrew introduced him to the Canadian market this month, Browne’s distinctive designs have never been north of the border. Here, 10 things you should know about Thom Browne.
1. Thom Browne invented the shrunken suit. His ankle-exposing pants and waist-length blazers are a response to what Browne identified as the dying art of dressing well. By radicalizing the classic suit, he made it interesting – and fashionable – again.
2. The cropped blazers and break-less pants that are now fashionable? Thom-Browne-trickle-down.
3. Sockless feet in dress shoes? Yep. That’s Browne.
4. Shorts with a blazer? Men dressing like schoolboys? Browne again.
5. In 2006, Brooks Brothers asked Browne to create a one-off capsule collection, Black Fleece, that has since grown into a permanent brand with two flagship stores.
6. Browne’s other collaboration is Moncler Gamme Bleu, for which Browne applied his tiny tailoring to the classic Alps brand of down-filled coats and vests.
7. This season, for the first time, Browne showed his collection in Paris. (He’s always shown in New York.) The move may reflect the fact that Browne is slowly conquering the world.
8. Browne started his career designing for Club Monaco.
9. Browne has featured a grey suit in every collection he’s ever done.
10. Browne eats the same breakfast every day: White toast and black coffee.
Check out Thom Browne’s fall 2010 collection at GQ.
Photo by Dan and Corina Lecca.
It’s a shame you’re giving credit to someone who just recycles fashion trends. It’s not really his ideas. He’s just helping (along with many other designers) to expose them again.
Going sockless with dress shoes? Well, that’s always been an Italian/European thing. Hemming your suit trousers with little to no break? Check back to the Mod era, and more recent decades from Calvin Klein for that. His creations for Moncler are interesting, but very impractical – fashion still has to have a purpose rather than looking like a tool. Someone with more of a global dominance would be Ralph Lauren or Michael Bastian. Timeless, not gimmicky stuff that can actually be invested in.
Menswear is changing at an alarming rate, but men are more interested in the finer details, not drastic costumes.
Nevertheless, I’m glad he is creating a stir in the industry.
“4. Shorts with a blazer? Men dressing like schoolboys? Browne again.”
Really?! Funny, because I am pretty sure Angus Young was a man dressing like a schoolboy when Thom Browne WAS still ACTUALLY a schoolboy.
Regards.
As someone who likes the Neapolitan style, Zegna, Canali, Corneliani, colorful and classic style, I hate Thom Browne’s clothing with a passion. His influence is acknoweldged, but it does not mean everyone has to succumb to it.
Could this article be more douchey?