Linda Evangelista Views Her Breast Cancer Scars as “Trophies”

To commemorate the company’s milestone, Phaidon is opening their archives for a special exhibition to showcase more than 150 books from some of the most inspired work of artists who have changed culture. Open to the general public until September 18 at Christie’s New York, the “100 Years of Creativity: A Century of Bookmaking at Phaidon” exhibition will have on display rare and out-of-print books such as the 1950 first edition of The Story of Art by E. H. Gombrich and a 1936 Vincent van Gogh monograph. Other works on view include books featuring Annie Leibovitz, Grace Coddington, Kate Moss, and an oversized edition of the 2019 visual autobiography of Rihanna that is cradled in a bookstand sculpture plated in 18-carat gold.

Guests can also get a sneak peek at designer Thom Browne’s new self-titled book at the exhibition before it’s released on October 25. The comprehensive monograph commemorates the 20th anniversary of Browne starting his company and is the very first book on the highly lauded designer, who modernized the menswear suit by shrinking the proportions. The book will feature looks from past seasons, specially commissioned photography by Johnny Dufort, and an introduction by Andrew Bolton, who is the curator in charge of the Costume Institute at The Metropolitan Museum of Art and also Browne’s longtime partner.

“The book is meaningful because I got to work with Andrew on it,” said Browne, who was with Bolton at the Phaidon party. “It’s been 20 years and I think it was time for me to look back and look at all the work, and to have somebody like Andrew, who I think is the best curator in the world, be able to look at my work and see what the important moments were and having his way of putting words together and telling the story in the most intelligent way made this book so special. He deserves all the credit for the book. I really relied on Andrew for the whole thing.”

The designer launched his business in 2003 with five gray suits in a made-to-measure shop in New York City’s West Village, creating a tailored uniform. He has since expanded into men’s, women’s and children’s ready-to-wear collections and is now considered one of America’s most successful designers of luxury fashion. Having accomplished so much, what does he hope his legacy will be now?

“Honestly, for being true to yourself and following what you want,” said Browne, who is the current chairman of the Council of Fashion Designers of America. “I mean for 5 to 10 years, nobody liked what I was doing, so it was staying true to what I knew I loved, which wasn’t hard for me, but it was hard in the reality of keeping the business going. I loved it more than anyone else and I stayed true to myself.”