Thom Browne

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One of football’s most dynamic teams and a serious contender for taking the Championship League title this year, FC Barcelona, is looking as good off as on the pitch thanks to designer Thom Browne.

The team just snapped their seasonal squad portrait with photographer Phil Poynter while donning Browne’s classic tailoring complete with his iconic accoutrements including classic longwing shoes cut in black pebble grain leather, sterling silver tie bars with enamel stripes in the brand’s colors — red, white, and blue — and fine cotton pocket squares.

The timing is pitch perfect as FC Barcelona is about to square off with Manchester United the first leg of the Champions League quarter-final and their star player Lionel Messi leads in the global Golden Shoe rankings so all eyes are on the team.

The wardrobing of the team is a beautiful marketing move for love of the beautiful game. Sports teams and their coaches receive a good deal of air time, especially sports teams that don’t wear helmets such as football and basketball, two arenas that Thom Browne plays in. Last year the designer outfitted the LeBron James and his fellow Cleveland Cavaliers causing a sensation when the team sported Browne’s looks as they strode to the locker room for game two of the NBA Finals.

The designer himself has a more utilitarian view of sport team partnerships. “My approach to this association is to show a strong, classic, unified message,” explains Browne. “It is important to me that this message is carried through because that is what is most interesting and valuable to both me and FC Barcelona.”

And unified they are. Now if they can just manage to chip away at Manchester United we can perhaps see more of Thom Browne through the summer.

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