On Thursday evening, Mr. Chow the perfect backdrop for a sea of guests dressed in tweed and gray suits. The intimate dinner, co-hosted by Thom Browne and Saks Fashion Director Roopal Patel, celebrated Browne’s exclusive women’s capsule collection and its installation at the Saks store just a few blocks away.
Diane Keaton, Aminé, Janelle Monae, Moses Sumney, Lisa Love and Manny Jacinto were among those in attendance, along with old friends from Browne’s Los Angeles era in the 1990s, including Johnson Hartig (Libertine’s designer) and Saks’ Roopal Patel. “I had the honor of meeting Thom in 1999 – yes, it’s that long ago – when we were both working at Club Monaco and starting our careers in fashion. Yes, the truth is coming to light!” said Patel during a toast of the evening. “For me it comes full circle to see him here tonight. Two American brands come together for this special moment.”
The dinner was Browne’s first major event in Los Angeles in nearly two decades. “This is Thom’s first homecoming to LA in a very, very long time, so welcome home. It feels like coming home,” said Patel. Inspired by California, the capsule collection features youthful, smaller varsity jackets, tweed pleated mini skirts and iconic accessories like the dog-shaped Hector baguette handbag. Inside the store, Browne designed a secret garden-themed display reminiscent of his spring 2020 show, featuring columns inspired by 18th-century architecture, seersucker-covered mannequins and a replica of the runway show’s central image.
“I think one of the most important moments of this evening is that I wanted to do it especially because of Roopal. We’ve known each other for almost thirty years.’ Browne repeated, as plates of Mr. Chow’s favorites, such as Chicken Satay, were passed around. “I want fashion to transcend fashion. I want to make interesting, beautiful things that make people think differently and see things differently… I think she may have rolled her eyes every now and then, but she is always understood… I feel like I’m in a very came home in a special way.’
