Review of Thom Browne Fall 2023 Fashion Show
Roswell
By Obi Anyanwu
We find ourselves at a crash site in the desert.
A voiceover narrates the Thom Browne Fall/Winter 2023 show at The Shed at Hudson Yards. The venue reserved primarily for live performances and art exhibitions was transformed into a grayscale, deserted island with a crashed plane.
This collection feels timely considering the recent UFO news that’s been hitting the media.
In this fictional world, two survivors wander the crash site in a new world inhabited by otherworldly beings that stood watch around plane as “the adults” emerge with their tweed suits and suitcases.
“Our young traveler found that the adults always need to be told what to do,” the narrator said. “They only see what’s in front of them.”
As the show progresses, more characters emerge in more unique styles and headdresses, and ensembles made from pre-existing garments sewn to make new styles.
To begin, there was much going on in this show. So much to digest. The constant ticking through the show calls to question what is time’s role in this story. “The adults” each carried a bag that had a clock built in that was set in 30-minute increments ending at midnight. They also had wire masks that resembled biometric facial recognition. Then, of course, the alien characters with long fingernails and toenails and graphic dresses of natural elements and space.
This show reminds us of books like Lord of the Flies and television shows like Lost with the crash site and survivors and films like The Fifth Element through the zany hairstyles and headdresses. And of course, the fantastical Little Prince.
Thom Browne has perfected applying American Prep to any idea possible
Thom Browne has perfected applying American Prep to any idea possible from Frankenstein football players to lawn gnomes. This collection feels timely considering the recent UFO news that’s been hitting the media. When attendees entered the venue, they saw giant planets and stars hovering overhead resembling a night sky and foreshadowing the alien figures in the show. Here, the aliens come in peace, and come in chic too. If this is also a foreshadowing for real-life visitors from other planets arriving on our turf, then we hope they come in peace and chic too.
