Corporate Cool

Can Thom Browne make Brooks Brothers hip?

September 11, 2006—Ever-expanding buzz and fashion-world influence, a designer of the year trophy from the CFDA—so far it's been a pretty good year for Thom Browne. Friday brought even more good news for the cropped-suit guru: Brooks Brothers announced the launch of a new "guest designer" program, which Browne will kick off with a 50-piece collection for Fall 2007. "I think the reason my own collection had started doing well was because people recognized the American sensibility that I brought to it," Browne explains. Since the ink on the deal is barely dry, he's a bit short on details on what to expect. "It's so new that I can't really say," says the designer, who will produce both men's and women's clothes as well as shoes and accessories while also maintaining his eponymous line. "But it's going to have that classic American Brooks Brothers sensibility with a very high-end, hand-tailored approach. And I also want to throw in some of my own touches." Such as? "I know there's going to be some gray," he says, surprising no one. Perhaps an exposed ankle or two as well? "Never say never."