Thom Browne, Robbie LawrencePhoto by: Matthew Foley
Ahead of Easter weekend, Thom Browne brought together an intimate group of artists, tastemakers, sports enthusiasts, and sneakerheads to raise a glass to the newly-unveiled Thom Browne x Asics Sportstyle collaboration and its accompanying photo journal The Working Hour. Held at the Pierre Augustin Rose Gallery in SoHo, the evening welcomed no shortage of brand loyalists—including The Pitt’s Patrick Ball, Amy Fine Collins, Joe Holder, Indira Scott, Ella Emhoff, and Jessica Joffe—for a panel and Champagne reception.
Guests, many of whom were decked out in full Thom Browne runway looks, milled about the space with chilled flutes of Krug or tall glasses of crisp Evian water. “Who needs hors d’oeuvres when you can visually feast on these ensembles,” laughed actor Diego Rodriguez. Lauded for his Olivier Award-nominated turn in Evita, Rodriguez added: “I love being able to enjoy the world of fashion in between travels and performances—and Thom is the absolute best at what he does.”
Against the backdrop of the loft’s pared-back furniture and décor, a sea of grey-suited attendees assembled to listen to Browne divulge more on the backstory to this partnership; a rare collaboration for the designer. Moderated by Canadian writer and filmmaker Durga Chew-Bose, Browne was joined by photojournalist and The Working Hour collaborator Robbie Lawrence, as well as artist, curator, and author Aaron Stern.
“This collaboration really resonated with me. It embodies the interpretation of what I do and all that I have done over the last 25 years of designing,” Browne, who’s also a lifelong sports fanatic and runner, told the room. Lawrence agreed: “The whole idea—along with Aaron’s reinterpretation—I think, has been an interesting process of allowing people to trust each other with their work.” Cementing both of their perspectives, Stern concurred: “I hate when people ask ‘What’s the inspiration?’ Because oftentimes, the work speaks for itself.”
As Chew-Bose wrapped things up, the gallery walls were momentarily transformed as a projector played a live-action short film version of The Working Hour, depicting visuals of Browne himself running through New York, alongside a cast of Thom Browne X Asics-clad models.
Afterwards, as the venue buzzed loudly again, brand ambassador and in-house model Jaylon Dawson, who’s been part of the Thom Browne family for two years, clinked a glass to a “unique and top-tier night.” Kitted out in the label’s instantly-recognizable uniform of a sports coat, skirt, and long socks, they added: “I can’t wait to wear these new sneakers and take them for a spin around the city.”
