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Posted Mar. 21, 2007, 1:03 p.m. ET
Thom Browne Does Brooks Brothers
By Kim Hastreiter
Stopped into Brooks Brothers yesterday afternoon to see a very cute show of the new Thom Browne and Brooks Brothers collaboration. It was held in the very masculine top floor showroom at their Madison Ave. flagship. Although not as crazy as Browne's personal collection (see this month's issue of PAPER!), the clothes were definitely a huge leap into the 21st century for Brooks Brothers, a store that has such amazing heritage but has just ignored the young modern man for the past three decades.
Finally gays and just plain cute hip straight guys will have a reason to shop here at Brooks Brothers, a store that hasn't seen a slender trouser or hipster look as long as I've been alive.
Browne also showed a tandem women's collection, which was equally, if not even more cute. Browne did just what any hipster should do with Brooks Brothers: He celebrated the brand's history with classics like the business suit (only Browne's had skinny legs, skinny ties and fab down-vests made of herring bone) and tuxedos (Browne did a cape version and a sweater version as well!). He also married the heritage of Brooks Brothers' classic wooly men's fabrics, applying them to his modern silhouettes and odd-length pants, bermudas and jackets.
Here are some photos from men.style.com:
Comments
This is not fashion ... but rather low theater, somewhat like the wardrobe department at Ringling Brothers.
No matter how well the clothes are made (and are they?), the look is skimpy, eccentric beyond belief, and not aesthetically pleasing. Why borrow mens' garters from the 1920's when their appearance with shorts seems mocking and truly foolish?
Such is the impression given by almost all of Thom Browne's designs.
If men and women are meant to be comfortable with the appearance of their clothes, then what is being offered with some of this nonsense?
The word CHARLATAN comes to mind ... and Brooks Brothers has been sold a large bill of goods.
Thank God there are other designers who produce beautiful clothing.
Posted at 2:11 p.m. ET on Sep 18, 2007 by E.A. Schimmelpfennig
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