Thom Browne opens first permanent retail store in France

By

Jennifer Braun

Published
Jul 14, 2022

Thom Browne has teamed up with private members club EPI in Saint-Tropez to open its first retail store in France. 

Dubbed the 'Thom Browne Tennis Pro Shop', the 500-square foot space houses Thom Browne’s signature ready-to-wear, tailoring and accessories, alongside limited-edition EPI branded Thom Browne goods, which will continue to be developed in new iterations every season. 

In particular, later this season, it will launch a limited-edition tennis-inspired seersucker collection featuring EPI's signature logo across a series of Thom Browne foundational pieces and the brands timeless seersucker. 

EPI, which first opened in 1959 and reopened in June of 2022, prioritizes wellness and sport through exclusive experiences. Browne was invited to open his shop by EPI founding member and tennis legend John McEnroe. 

“Tennis has long inspired Thom throughout his life, as not only an athlete who developed a love for the sport in high school but as an admirer of the game. A long time follower of John McEnroe, Thom gravitated towards John as someone who has continued to perform at the highest level of his craft - a theme Thom continuously references throughout his work,” the company said in a news statement. 

The store was designed in collaboration with architect Flavio Albanese of ASA Studio to reinvent Thom Browne’s signature style for the resort minded EPI. Behind Thom Browne’s signature Venetian blind-covered windows, the Tennis Pro Shop is outlined in light gray subway tiles, mimicking the Miami flagship in lighter tones.

From door-to-door a red, white, and blue subway tile stripe connects the resort to a private sitting area for store guests featuring mid-century furniture by American and French designers including Dunbar by Edward Wormley, Paul McCobb, Jacques Adnet, Pierre Jeanerette and George Nakashima throughout. 

The store marks Thom Browne's first permanent location in France and its 78th retail location globally. As it continues its expansion into Europe, it is projected to operate 100 retail locations by the end of 2023.