Several decades ago a dear friend of mine was dating this guy named Thom Browne. He worked at Club Monaco in NYC at the time. I was the Fashion Director at Barneys. We became friends and at some point he asked me if I could see what he was working on. We agreed to meet at his apartment so he could show me what he was doing. I remember him pulling out this collection of menswear pieces and talking to me about his vision for men’s clothing. The idea was based on quality and a slimmer silhouette. It had the vibe of a young Bobby Kennedy which I thought was sexy. I wasn’t the menswear expert but I think at the time, Thom just needed to hear what he was doing was desirable. As a young designer, this is key. Bits of validation and honest encouragement is the fuel that can keep a designer dreaming and creating. At the time, I didn’t realize how big Thom’s dream was. And believe me, back then it wasn’t easy selling the dream of a shrunken silhouette, cropped trousers and suits jackets with shorts on men. Thom took huge risks on every level including “wild” presentations from the beginning. He always looked forward and within, never at others or glancing behind his back. He demonstrated he was a man of vision, determination and most of all courageous! Fast forward, he built an empire on his dream. The way he did it cannot possibly be done or copied by another designer, it was his dream and his time. But there are so many lessons and examples that can be observed and applied to today’s young designers that have a dream. I can’t think of a better person to become Chairman of the Council of Fashion Designers of America. He made his global career in NY and although he is many years wiser now, he hasn’t lost the dream or courage to do things differently. I think he will be an incredible asset to the fashion community in the US and to all the designers that have big dreams, too. We are not just grateful to Thom in giving his time but so very, very proud of him and all he has accomplish thus far!🍎🇺🇸❤️ photo credit above @bfa #thombrowne #cfda #americanfashion #fashionawards #cfdamembers