By Thom Browne’s Fall 2024 couture show was a theatrical celebration of sports and fashion, held at the prestigious Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris. The show, which coincided with the anticipation of the Olympic Games, featured models striking poses reminiscent of various athletes, from archers to weightlifters, challenging traditional gender roles and tailoring norms.
The collection showcased exaggerated silhouettes with broad shoulders and cinched waists, evoking the spirit of vintage sports attire. It also paid tribute to French culture with tennis skirts, heel-less track boots, and dresses adorned with hand-painted swimwear motifs, reflecting the playful and campy essence of Browne’s vision.
Browne, who established his brand in 2001 and has since become a staple in the fashion industry, winning multiple CFDA Menswear Designer Awards, emphasized the balance between his commercial success and the artistic expression found in couture. His use of muslin, typically reserved for preliminary designs, as the final fabric for many pieces, highlighted the craftsmanship and storytelling at the heart of his work.
The show’s use of traditional couture techniques, such as hand-basting, underscored Browne’s commitment to exploring the boundaries of tailoring and design. Celebrity stylist Jared Ellner praised Browne’s distinctive style, noting its ability to empower individuals like Emma Chamberlain and Sabrina Carpenter to express their unique personalities through fashion.
In a world where subtleties often go unnoticed, Thom Browne’s latest couture offering stands out as a luxurious spectacle that honors the intricate details of design and the enduring allure of sportswear-inspired elegance.
