New York: As awards season unfolds, Thom Browne’s influence on celebrity dressing is on display, notably through Doechii’s Grammy performance highlighting the blend of music and high fashion, showcasing the intricate relationships between designers, entertainers, and iconic styles on prominent stages.
As the awards season unfolds, the fashion industry is witnessing a heightened competition among brands striving to showcase their attire on high-profile celebrities. This trend has been especially noticeable with significant engagements such as the Super Bowl, where Kendrick Lamar’s choice of flare jeans—a style credited to Celine—spurred repeated claims from various brands eager to capitalise on the moment. The heightened attention to celebrity fashion has turned every event into a prospective opportunity for marketing and visibility.
Among the notable figures navigating this intensely competitive landscape is Thom Browne, a prominent force in American fashion and current chairman of the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA). On the afternoon of his Fall 2025 runway show, which took place at The Shed during New York Fashion Week, Browne found himself at the centre of a rising dialogue surrounding his influence on celebrity dressing. Models prepared for the show in eye-catching gingham shirts and heavy tweed coats, but it was an earlier event, the Grammys, that garnered significant attention for Browne’s designs.
During the Grammy Awards, rapper Doechii delivered a standout performance that not only showcased her musical talent but also highlighted Browne’s distinctive vision for American menswear. She took the stage dressed in a striking shrunken Thom Browne shorts-suit complemented by 30 backup dancers who donned identical wool flannel tailored uniforms by the designer. In a dramatic twist designed to fit Browne’s creative aesthetic, the dancers unveiled Doechii’s stark white undergarments by tearing away her suit, creating a memorable spectacle for viewers.
Doechii’s performance was pivotal not just as entertainment but as a representation of the seamless integration of music and high fashion. The artist’s confidence and command on stage emphasised her understanding of fashion’s impactful potential in performance art. Speaking of the collaboration, Browne remarked, “It was amazing,” reflecting on the remarkable display that aligned uniquely with his brand’s ethos.
Browne’s esteemed reputation in the fashion industry is well-earned, having dressed high-profile figures such as Michelle Obama, who wore one of his dresses at her husband’s presidential inauguration, and NBA star LeBron James, who opted for his tailored suits during playoff games. Notably, Browne’s approach diverges from practices commonly employed by large fashion houses; instead of paying celebrities to wear his clothing, he allows his designs to speak for themselves, as exemplified by James purchasing his own playoff outfits.
As the new season of fashion unfolds, the interplay between celebrity appearances and designer aesthetics continues to shape the narrative, with Browne at the forefront of this evolving dynamic.
Source: Noah Wire Services
