Thom Browne

Thom Browne (born in 1965) is an American fashion designer. He is the founder and head of design for Thom Browne, a New York based menswear brand. Browne was also the recipient of a Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) award for best Menswear designer in March 2006.

Early life

Thom grew up in Allentown, Pennsylvania and attended Notre Dame where he received a degree in business. Following an attempt in acting in Los Angeles, Thom moved to New York City in 1997 for a job as a salesman in Giorgio Armani’s showroom. Mr. Browne’s first break came when he was picked up by Club Monaco, a brand of the Ralph Lauren Corporation, where he worked with famed American fashion designer Ralph Lauren. Browne spent several years at Club Monaco in its design and merchandising departments before he launched the label bearing his name.

The Label

Mr. Browne’s menswear line was created as a response to the acceptance of business casual as being considered acceptable in lieu of formal attire. With the rise of blue jeans and loose t-shirts in the early twenty-first century, the fashion-world began to use fine tailoring and precise sizing for relaxed and casual styles. Some of his signature touches include ties and overcoats made in matching suiting fabrics and button down collar shirts with double cuffs.

A Thom Browne suit (which costs upwards of $5,000) is distinctive in structure and fit and is rarely confused as being from another fashion house. A signature of a Thom Browne suit is a pair of flat front pants with exposed ankles and a jacket that concludes mid-wrist and doesn't cover the backside. The suits themselves usually have three buttons with narrow lapels rolled to the middle button, side vents, and no belt loops on the trousers. The designer is best known for wearing suits in a range of charcoal-grey colors, always paired with a tie cut from the same fabric, a silver tie clip, a white button down shirt, and black leather dress shoes. Thom's popularity with 18-34 year olds can be partially attributed to his rejection of “that fussy and over-the-top clothing feeling” that many luxury designers are known for. His made-to-measure suits are hand tailored in New York City. Browne refuses to name the tailor, only letting on, “He’s been doing this for 60 years, so he knows how to construct on the body. Sometimes I throw him things, like really short trousers. He kind of smiles because he knows why I want to try it. And he never fights me. A lot of tailors would say, ‘What are you doing this for?’ ”

Since his debut in 2001 the Thom Browne collection has extended into a more complete menswear line with dress-shirts, sweaters, ties, underwear and accessories. Thom Browne currently can be purchased around the world and at his flagship store in Tribeca.

On September 8, 2006, Brooks Brothers announced their partnership with Mr. Browne as part of their guest designer program to create and distribute a 50-piece men and women’s collection. Claudio Del Vecchio, Chairman and CEO of Brooks Brothers, felt that “Thom Browne’s brilliant eye, his ability to foreshadow the market and offer a special look will bring a new dimension to Brooks Brothers.” The line appeared exclusively in 30 Brooks Brothers stores worldwide beginning in September 2007.

References

* Thom Browne Website: [http://www.Thombrowne.com]
* New York Magazine: [http://www.nymag.com/fashion/06/fall/19389]
* V&A Interview: [http://www.vam.ac.uk/collections/fashion/new_york/mens/browne/interview/index.html]
* MSNBC: [http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6732649/site/newsweek/]