The first thought that came to mind when the Thome Browne show got underway was “Can’t wait to see what the commercial version of these outfits will look like”. Just peruse the photos that accompany this text to get the full picture. Each and every outfit in this catwalk show came from a man with a mind in a galaxy far far away.
With music from the classic science fiction film Tron playing in the background (with a few lightsaber sound effects thrown in for good measure) the designer produced a collection of three-dimensional space suits. Or were they futuristic tactical uniforms? Maybe it was the royal guard for a lonely princess from Planet 9.
Whatever the case may be, the garments highlighted the muscle groups and bone structure of the body in an assortment of different menswear fabrics. They came cut from madras and tartan, as well as classic grays, blacks and whites. The designer even offered them up in floral and butterfly prints. Some of the angular outfits got their edges softened by the addition of fabric butterfly appliqué fluttering across the shoulders, chest and even some knee high socks.
The guests that came early to the show were lucky enough to get a close up look at the central sartorial art installation the designer had set up. Male models wearing much more classic Browne ensembles in shades of gray sat in rows like pawns on a chess board with their faces concealed under clear plastic masks and their eyes covered by bands of white fabric. It’s very likely that these well tailored pieces will be the ones showing up in stores next summer.
But fair warning, when worn under black light all these classic designs glow in the dark. Ahh Browne you are such a fashion rascal.