Thom Browne Is Doing Couture

Thom Browne has historically operated on a level rarely matched by other designers: unfathomably creative, delightfully theatrical, exquisitely detailed. His work has been likened to haute couture on more than one occasion, so it makes sense that he'd try his hand at it.

Vogue reports that the CFDA chairman is skipping Men's Fashion Week in Paris this summer in order to present a collection on the official haute couture schedule. (The lineup hasn't been released just yet, but the Fall 2023 season is slated for July 3 through July 6.)

Though haute couture is a category fiercely protected by France's Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode (it's a legally defined term, and there are specific qualifications that must be met and evaluated) by the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture), the group will invite brands to present their version of the art form every season. Past guest members include Pyer Moss, Gaurav Gupta and Rahul Mishra.

Browne told Vogue's José Criales-Unzueta that it'll be a one-time deal, not tied to a specific season or category, and that it'll be part of the brand's 20th anniversary celebration.

"I've been showing my collection in Paris for 12 years, so I always think of couture as being the ultimate challenge in regards to quality, construction and design," he said. "I strive this for every collection, and this being the 20th anniversary of the [brand], I thought it was a nice time to celebrate in this way... I look forward to people coming to the showroom after the show and telling this story and showing how beautifully made everything is."

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