- Mr. Kim

The irony of it all.

Thom Browne, leader of the current charge in bespoke tailoring in American menswear, is sure to be fuming, or at least a tad bit amused if he indeed has a sense of humor. Bequeathed the title of “Designer of the Year” from GQ in 2008, Mr. Browne’s signature and now ubiquitous ’shrunken suit’ has influenced every single high end fashion from Gucci to Comme des Garcons.

Yet of all brands to influence would be the lower more affordable platitudes of retail, the kind of places for everyday college kids and diligent nine to fivers would shop, the fashion mall. Yes you would be surprised wouldn’t you. But the fashion mall has very much become the new hotbed for buying great suits. Where do you say? No, not J.Crew (although I certainly have been impressed with their latest offerings), might I recommend Club Monaco. Yes of all places Club Monaco will deliver you the kind of suit that Mr. Browne has been offering in the last several years at huge discounted rates. Whereas a typical suit from Thom Browne ranges from $3,500 to $5,000, Club Monaco has done a very good job in providing a similar “Browne-ish” cut for under $500.00!

What I find to be utterly fascinating about this entire exchange is that the reason for Club Monaco’s sudden new brand direction and aesthetic touch is the fact that Club Monaco’s newest installment is Creative Director Timothy Farrah, a designer who worked under Thom Browne for his Black Fleece collection for Brooks Brothers. It is undeniable that Mr. Farrah took liberal cues in designing the current Club Monaco suit range; and for this, I am actually excited that this fashion forward silhouette is now available for those who can’t afford a Thom Browne original. What is more interesting is that Mr. Browne himself used to helm the Club Monaco position as its Creative Director several years ago, before he made a name for himself!

Let’s get this straight, so you too can join me in my laughter and open amusement: Thom Browne once works for Club Monaco as its Creative Director, he leaves and launches his own namesake label, years later a designer under his wing goes back to Mr. Browne’s original roost to only create a ‘tributary’ collection inside the very halls of Club Monaco. Now if that isn’t a more perfect and classic example of how the fashion industry works! So where does this leave us for the end-consumer? Well….the economy is tanking and last I checked $5,000 dollars for a grey shrunken designer suit is kind of rad if you’re trying to make that statement, but knocking off a zero and getting the same effect sounds kind of like a deal, no? Mr. Browne, I love your work and I have the utmost respect for your craft, but in some ways I cannot forgo the product and its price, which beckons me…yes, at my local mall.

Published on 13 January 2010 | 1 |