Beginning in January 2023, Thom Browne will become the next president of the Council of Fashion Designers of America. The New York designer succeeds Tom Ford, who held the role for three years. Brown was unanimously elected to a two-year term by the CFDA Board of Directors, which includes Ford.
Brown launched his own brand in 2003 before joining the CFDA in 2005. Today, Brown has won the CFDA Menswear Designer of the Year Award three times in 2006, 2013 and 2015. He also worked in CFDA/Fashion Selection Committee of the Fashion Fund. By 2018, Ermenegildo Zegna had acquired 85 percent of the company, valuing the brand at $500 million.
Brown is known for his mastery of tailoring and custom suiting. Since its inception, the brand has grown to include a complete collection of men’s and women’s ready-to-wear, accessories, shoes and fragrances, with fashion shows in Paris and New York.
Determined to inspire the next generation of designers, Browne said: “My overriding message is that everyone should have the opportunity to be a designer, but at the heart of this success must begin with pure creativity. The mission of the CFDA is to support and encourage New voices and new designers take their creativity to unique and unique levels of success. As designers, we have a responsibility to inspire…educate…entertain…laugh and cry…and most importantly, make beautiful clothes and successfully cultivate the next generation of American design.”
As he prepares to take on the new role next month, Browne is presenting a pre-fall collection. This business-focused collection aims to balance the creative inspiration of the classic book “Moby Dick”. Bags in the shape of dreamy silhouettes, nautical embroidery and marine mammals convey literary works of art. Embracing classic tweeds, cuts and proportions, the collection showcases elongated single- and double-breasted jackets paired with pleated skirts, as well as cropped sweaters or two-pieces paired with low-slung pencil skirts for the Gen Z collection. Embracing the new trend, the collection featured mini-skirts in suiting fabrics, paired with cable-knit leggings and pumps. Colors color the collection in pale pinks, light grays and darker shades like navy blue with a clean all black look.
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