Thom Browne Expands Global Footprint with Strategic New Store Openings

Renowned American fashion designer Thom Browne is significantly expanding its retail presence with the recent opening of several key stores across Europe and the United States. This strategic expansion underscores the brand's growing international appeal and commitment to offering its distinctive aesthetic to a wider audience.

Key Takeaways

• Thom Browne has opened its first European flagship store in Milan, Italy.
• A dedicated women's store has been launched in New York City.
• London now boasts a new Thom Browne boutique on Albemarle Street.

European Debut in Milan

In April 2017, Thom Browne marked a significant milestone with the inauguration of its first monobrand store in Europe, located in the heart of Milan's Via del Gesù. The five-room space showcases the brand's complete offerings, including men's and women's ready-to-wear, accessories, and bespoke collections. Designed by Asa Studioalbanese, the interiors draw inspiration from late 1950s and early 1960s retail design, featuring terrazzo floors, grey Bardiglio marble walls, and carefully selected mid-century furniture. Thom Browne expressed his desire for the store to embody true American taste while celebrating the high quality and artistry of Italian manufacturing.

Dedicated Women's Store in New York

Following the Milan opening, Thom Browne expanded its New York City presence in June 2017 by unveiling a dedicated women's store at 100 Hudson Street in Tribeca. This new space, adjacent to the brand's existing men's store which opened in 2006, features the same signature interior design elements as the men's boutique, including custom-poured terrazzo floors and grey Bardiglio marble walls. The expansion allowed the former women's section within the men's store to be transformed into a made-to-measure salon.

London's Albemarle Street Boutique

Further solidifying its European expansion, Thom Browne opened its second freestanding store in Europe on London's prestigious Albemarle Street. This new outpost, designed in collaboration with architect Flavio Albanese, features a 1,500-square-foot space spread across two levels. The store embodies the brand's signature mid-century office-inspired aesthetic, with Venetian slat blinds, fluorescent lighting, and a refined palette of grey, black, and white. The walls and ceilings are clad in a mix of Calacatta, Carrara, and Bardiglio marble, contrasting with the warm woods of the furniture. The ground floor displays men's and women's collections, while the lower level houses fitting rooms and a seating area, designed to evoke the feeling of Browne's own living space.

Sources

• Thom Browne opens first European store in Milan, FashionNetwork USA.
• Thom Browne opens first women's store in NYC, FashionNetwork USA.
• Thom Browne opens a new store on London’s Albemarle Street, www.wallpaper.com.