Thom Browne
Born (1965-09-27) September 27, 1965 (age 58)
Allentown, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Alma materUniversity of Notre Dame
OccupationFashion designer
LabelThom Browne
PartnerAndrew Bolton
Websitethombrowne.com

Thom Browne (born September 27, 1965) is an American fashion designer. He is the founder and head of design for Thom Browne, a luxury fashion brand based in New York City. Browne debuted his womenswear collection in 2014.[1][2]

Early life and education

Thom Browne was born in Allentown, Pennsylvania on September 27, 1965.[3] He graduated from William Allen High School in Allentown and attended the University of Notre Dame, where he was a member of the track and field team and graduated with a degree in economics.

Career

Michelle Obama (center) at Barack Obama's second inauguration, wearing a Browne silk jacquard coat and dress in a navy checked pattern based on "a men’s necktie fabric"[4]
Thom Browne Sunglasses from his eyewear collection

Following an attempt at an acting career in Los Angeles, Browne moved to New York City in 1997, where he began working as a salesman at Armani. Club Monaco, then a Polo Ralph Lauren brand, later selected him to lead its creative development team, where he worked with American fashion designer Ralph Lauren. Browne led Club Monaco's design department for several years before launching the Thom Browne label.

Collaborations

In September 2006, Brooks Brothers announced its partnership with Browne as part of a guest designer program to create and distribute a 50-piece men's and women's high-end collection, Black Fleece by Brooks Brothers.[1] Claudio Del Vecchio, chairman and chief executive officer of Brooks Brothers, said "Thom Browne's brilliant eye... his ability to foreshadow the market and offer a special look will bring a new dimension to Brooks Brothers."[5]

The line appeared exclusively in 30 Brooks Brothers stores worldwide beginning in September 2007. In July 2008, Thom Browne and Brooks Brothers announced they would continue their partnership in the Black Fleece collection for another three years. Brooks Brothers opened a standalone Black Fleece store located in New York City's West Village.[6]

In 2008, Browne teamed up with the Italian sportswear company and down apparel specialist Moncler to design their men's top line Moncler Gamme Bleu, which launched in January 2009.[1][7] The line was shown at Milan Fashion Week.

In September 2020, Browne made a scarf[8] as part of Joe Biden's "Believe in Better" fashion collection, which included collaborations from 18 other fashion designers around the country as part of the Biden's 2020 presidential campaign.[9] His scarf, along with the rest of the collection, was made in unionized factories and is available for purchase; all purchase proceeds were donated to Biden's presidential campaign.

Sale

In August 2018, Zegna purchased 85% of the brand for $500 million, which was seen as a bid by the century-old Italian company to court a younger demographic and reach new markets.[10][11] Browne continues to hold the remaining 15% ownership stake in the brand and has continued as its chief creative officer.[11] Rodrigo Bazan remains the company's chief executive officer.[11]

Couture

In 2023, Browne debuted his first couture collection[12] at Paris Fashion Week.[13]

Awards and honors

Personal life

Browne lives with partner Andrew Bolton,[16] who is curator at the Costume Institute of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in Manhattan.[17] His older brother, Pat Browne, is a former member of the Pennsylvania State Senate and Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue.

References

  1. ^ a b c "Thom Browne Branching Out". WWD. 20 November 2013. Archived from the original on 8 May 2014. Retrieved 21 November 2013.
  2. ^ "Kempt Woman: Thom Browne's Debutante Debut". The FADER. Archived from the original on 2014-04-07.
  3. ^ "Ensemble,spring/summer 2016 Thom Browne". The Met. Archived from the original on 25 August 2019. Retrieved 25 August 2019.
  4. ^ Wilson, Eric (January 21, 2013). "A Fashion First for the Designer Thom Browne at the Inauguration". The New York Times. Archived from the original on October 11, 2018. Retrieved March 26, 2013.
  5. ^ "Is Thom Browne's Brooks Brothers Deal Over?". The Cut. 2008-06-04. Archived from the original on 2023-07-07. Retrieved 2023-07-06.
  6. ^ "Thom Browne and Brooks Brothers Broke Up". GQ. 2015-08-06. Archived from the original on 2023-07-08. Retrieved 2023-07-08.
  7. ^ WWD: Moncler Gamme Bleu Men's RTW Fall 2009 Archived 2009-03-14 at the Wayback Machine (January 19, 2009)
  8. ^ "Thom Browne – Believe In Better Scarf". Team Joe Store. Archived from the original on 2020-09-09. Retrieved 2020-09-09.
  9. ^ Spellings, Sarah (8 September 2020). "Joe Biden's "Believe in Better" Collection Brings Together 19 of America's Top Designers". Vogue. Archived from the original on 2020-09-08. Retrieved 2020-09-09.
  10. ^ "Ermenegildo Zegna buys Thom Browne". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved August 28, 2018.
  11. ^ a b c Paton, Elizabeth; Friedman, Vanessa (28 August 2018). "Ermenegildo Zegna buys Thom Browne in a bid for Younger Customers". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 28 August 2018. Retrieved August 28, 2018.
  12. ^ Friedman, Vanessa (2023-07-04). "The Gray Suit Takes Center Stage". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on 2023-07-08. Retrieved 2023-07-08.
  13. ^ Sayej, Nadja. "Thom Browne's Debut Couture Show In Paris Felt Very Edgar Allan Poe". Forbes. Archived from the original on 2023-07-08. Retrieved 2023-07-08.
  14. ^ Official site, ABOUT THOM BROWNE Archived 2017-06-06 at the Wayback Machine
  15. ^ "Time 100". Time. April 13, 2023. Archived from the original on April 13, 2023. Retrieved April 15, 2023.
  16. ^ Leland, John (29 April 2016). "How Andrew Bolton of Met Costume Institute Spends His Sundays". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 31 January 2021. Retrieved 21 October 2019.
  17. ^ Yaeger, Lynn (31 August 2013). "Thom Browne's Manhattan Apartment". Architectural Digest. Retrieved 18 May 2016.

External links

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