American menswear designer Thom Browne has been selected as the first “guest designer” for Brooks Brothers (New York) and will present a 50-piece collection exclusively for the fashionable men’s retailer beginning in fall 2007.
The “guest designer” program is a new initiative by Brooks Brothers to form a laboratory for new design ideas. Creators chosen for their forward thinking vision and youthful application of fashion trends will be invited to present capsule collections produced and marketed by Brooks Brothers in their stores across America, as well as their shops in London, Milan, Paris, Tokyo and throughout Asia.
“These creative partnerships will allow the iconic, 188-year-old American brand to expand and explore design options for its men's, women's and accessories lines while remaining true to the essence of the Brooks Brothers legacy,” said chairman and ceo Claudio Del Vecchio. “The designers in turn will benefit from Brooks Brothers vertical integration, its ability to manufacture and distribute these new collections on a seasonal basis and react and respond quickly to customer demand.”
Del Vecchio 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.” Browne was the recipient of the 2006 Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) Award for menswear. His collection is available at 16 specialty retailers worldwide as well as at his appointment-only store in New York's Meatpacking District.