Local shoppers warm to designer Thom Browne's American tailoring
It took a while, but Hong Kong shoppers have finally come around to the Thom Browne way, writes Abid Rahman
It's a humid September afternoon in Hong Kong but US designer Thom Browne looks comfortable in his trademark shorts, structured grey jacket, white shirt and black skinny tie. And, of course, no socks.
Browne has walked the short distance from his hotel to Joyce in Central, busying himself with preparations for the Hong Kong launch of his autumn-winter 2013 men's and women's collections, as well as a showcase of his spring-summer 2014 collections.
To mark the occasion, Joyce has commissioned an eye-catching Amish barn-inspired window display. "I grew up in Pennsylvania near the Amish area, so it was an homage to the Amish," says Browne.
The Amish influence also informs his clothes with Browne's square-brimmed hat, a highlight of his autumn men's collection, not too far off the round brimmed variety that is de rigueur with the Amish community. And as with everything Browne does, it retains the core principles of classic American tailoring and a simple, typically Thom Browne, colour palette.
"Every season is different. The autumn collection is based on military uniforms, primarily '40s military uniforms, and the colour comes from the groups of colours: red and white; grey and white; navy and white; and black and white."
On the first floor of Joyce, Browne is also showcasing his latest spring-summer collection for women, which again has its origin in structured military clothing, but adds a dash of Elizabethan costume, a smidgen of the macabre and a whole dollop of the finest American couture.