Strictly business: Thom Browne opens a sleek office-inspired store in London
Thom Browne arrived on London’s Albemarle Street last week with his second freestanding shop in Europe and a celebratory Wimbledon-themed capsule collection.
The American fashion designer worked with architect Flavio Albanese, founder of ASA Studio and a longtime friend, on the design. ‘I appreciate his intelligent approach to architecture and interiors as well as his understanding of my design sensibilities,’ said Browne, who added that he wanted the space to align with his other stores while having qualities unique to London.
Thom Browne celebrated the launch of his first London store with a Wimbledon inspired ’Tennis’ collection. Pieces from the collection was captured at the Golden Lanes and Barbican Estate, and were shot by Laurence Ellis
Spread across two levels, the 1,500-square-foot space features the mid-century office-inspired style that's become synonymous with Thom Browne stores. Venetian slat blinds cover the windows, rows of fluorescent tube lights line the ceilings and a refined palette of grey, black and white prevails. (Browne's fascination with the beauty of the boardroom could also be seen at Design Miami's Basel edition last month, where he curated the fair's Design at Large programme with a retrospective of statement desk designs from the last 100 years.)
A mix of polished-white Calacatta, Carrara and banker-grey Bardiglio marble clads the walls and ceilings. It creates a striking contrast with the organic lines and warm woods of the furniture in store – showstoppping pieces by American and French designers such as Paul McCobb, Jacques Adnet, Maison Jansen and Dunbar by Edward Wormley. ‘This juxtaposition is something I like personally and is true to the way I live,’ said Browne.
The designer has arranged his men’s and women’s ready-to-wear and accessories collections across the ground floor. Fitting rooms and a seating area are on the lower level, an area Browne says ‘replicates my own living space’. A crisp white floating spiral staircase to the right of the entrance links the two. ‘I liked how the layout did not feel like a true retail space,’ he added.
The new outpost is the latest glamorous resident to settle on Mayfair’s Albemarle Street. Current tenants include Casadei, Vincent van Duysen, Alexander Wang and Aquazzura, to name just a few.
Wallpaper* Newsletter
Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox
‘Since taking ownership of Albemarle Street, we have embarked on a significant transformation for this part of Mayfair to create a new luxury lifestyle destination,' said Matt Farrell, director of Trophaeum, landlord of the building. 'This year we plan to continue to curate Albemarle Street as one of the finest day-to-night destinations in the capital with significant public-realm investment and several more new openings.’
It’s a location that ‘just felt right’, Browne said of the spot. ‘I am excited to open in London – it’s a city that has supported my collections from the beginning.’
INFORMATION
For more information, visit the Thom Browne website
ADDRESS
3 Albemarle St
Mayfair
London
W1S 4HE
-
Colourful card game wins Design Museum’s Design Ventura competition
Annual design competition Design Ventura was won by students from The Piggott School, who created a fun Eye Spy-inspired card game
By Léa Teuscher Published
-
Tour a Chilean pavilion perched on the coast: a sanctuary for sleep and star-gazing
Algarrobo-based architecture studio Whale! has designed a Chilean pavilion for rest and relaxation, overlooking a nature reserve on the Pacific coast
By Jonathan Bell Published
-
Step into Francesca Woodman and Julia Margaret Cameron's dreamy photographs in London
'Portraits to Dream In' is currently on show at London's National Portrait Gallery
By Katie Tobin Published
-
The best fashion moments at Milan Design Week 2024
Scarlett Conlon discovers the moments fashion met design at Salone del Mobile and Milan Design Week 2024, as Loewe, Hermès, Bottega Veneta, Prada and more staged intriguing presentations and launches across the city
By Scarlett Conlon Published
-
Thom Browne shows how to make the perfect bed with theatrical performance at Milan Design Week 2024
American fashion designer Thom Browne makes his Milan Design Week debut with a new homeware collection created in collaboration with historic linen company Frette
By Scarlett Conlon Published
-
Thom Browne on his 20th-anniversary book, curated by Andrew Bolton
‘Thom Browne’ the book, a collaboration with partner Andrew Bolton, charts the American designer’s career. Here, Browne tells Wallpaper* the story behind his first monograph
By Jack Moss Published
-
Finest fashion moments of London Frieze Week 2023
The best fashion moments of London Frieze Week 2023, from stylish new sponsors to happenings from Gucci, Thom Browne, Burberry and more
By Jack Moss Published
-
First look at Moncler’s 70th-anniversary collaboration with Thom Browne
By Jack Moss Published
-
AlphaTauri’s Salzburg HQ is a science fiction fantasy
Browse in-store, buy online: the future-focused mentality of AlphaTauri
By Simon Mills Last updated
-
Manu Atelier's first boutique nods to Le Corbusier in Istanbul
The cult Istanbul-based label introduces bold, sculptural expressionism into this first bricks and mortar store
By Laura Hawkins Last updated
-
Louis Vuitton's Ginza Namiki flagship evokes a rippling pillar of water
Japanese architect Jun Aoki creates a water-like facade for Louis Vuitton's Ginza Namiki Tokyo flagship
By Danielle Demetriou Last updated