Some fashion houses utilize trademark iconography to lay claim to clothing and accessory designs, others employ consistent design narratives from season-to-season to develop a particular, idiosyncratic aesthetic.
Since launching womenswear in 2011, Thom Browne has exhibited an affinity for trompe l’oeil, frequently utilizing this construction technique within his men’s and women’s collections. The American designer’s fondness for experimenting with visual allusions reached its climax for spring/summer 2017. Each of the collection’s 31 masterfully constructed, playful garments toyed with this sophisticated construction method. Layering, pleating, draping, lapels, bowties, and bows were mere illusions in thanks to Browne’s fanciful flattening of the ‘pictorial’ – or rather, ‘garment’ – plane. Tweeds, checkered print, colorful gingham, sequins and floral appliqué made for tremendous variation between looks, while maintaining an air of elevated sophistication. A cheeky interpretation of classic springtime garments generated through the wondrous creative mind of Thom Browne.
![Thom browne ss 2017 muse board](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/33u5Q9aCneO8YYeCoSEeIk/d302b866776069cc647276f14ec3b908/Thom_Browne_SS_2017_Muse_Board.jpg?w=1000&q=70)
References
- 1
- 2
William “Billy” Haines
Interior
![8d2910d2d8e1fdbad024d611a6e3ad48 billy20haines20design](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/1aW9i0y5TEWCMq8My6SIsW/54e3f7848f1e76a3e074556c8f2e44b8/__8d2910d2d8e1fdbad024d611a6e3ad48-Billy20Haines20design.jpg)
Slim Aarons
A desert house designed by Richard Neutra for Edgar J. Kaufmann, Palm Springs, California, January, 1970
![a desert house designed by richard neutra for edgar j. kaufmann palm springs california january 1970. lita baron approa](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/nX20rm5g9UOIEsMAiIeUM/1a8cd461f0c635fb18c700e234c49018/__A_desert_house_designed_by_Richard_Neutra_for_Edgar_J._Kaufmann__Palm_Springs__California__January_1970._Lita_Baron_approa.jpg)
David Hockney
A Bigger Splash, 1967
![david hockney a bigger splash 1967](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/z2FOIf7HIO6gacYYSGa0A/658003c9b4326d71d70fe7472979abc4/__David_Hockney__A_Bigger_Splash___1967.jpg)
Josef Frank
Mille Fleurs Textile
![fabric sample mille fleurs cotton mille fleurs josef frank svenskt tenn](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/3sE6QTRQEgQu2GkagmYegY/a5a96bd6396fe5f105cbb3af60bcb202/__Fabric_Sample_Mille_Fleurs_-_Cotton__Mille_Fleurs__Josef_Frank___Svenskt_Tenn.jpg)
Jean Royère
“Œuf” chair, 1950s
![Img01](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/3jqU0RauYgwaKKywYAkgw8/2420ab8f2cce369b49d52fdc39fb1d71/img01.jpg)
Elsa Schiaparelli
Trompe l’oeil Bow Tie Sweater, 1930s
![tumblr ljqlbyzbqc1qcddvlo1 500](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/4nilDcvJm0yYc8YscYwucA/ddb50743f5155d1550791085415dc6ce/__tumblr_ljqlbyzBqC1qcddvlo1_500.jpg)
Claes Oldenburg & Coosje van Bruggen
Project Model “Shuttlecocks”, 1993-94
![project model shuttlecocks claes oldenburg coosje van bruggen wood and plastic on wood base 7 x 7.25 x 7.25 inches](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/2AvgMMFfIQsiIwqyGUWW6a/098bb4fe6c979f9b514a9b28502442c8/__Project_model__Shuttlecocks__Claes_Oldenburg___Coosje_van_Bruggen_Wood_and_plastic_on_wood_base_7_x_7.25_x_7.25_inches.jpg)
Henri Matisse
The Parakeet and the Mermaid, 1952
![Henri matisse the parakeet and the mermaid. 1952.](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/5JanhqynaowaiMuuWAumgy/52d24593e496d6b984da465a96f20a1c/Henri_Matisse_The_Parakeet_and_the_Mermaid._1952..jpg)
William “Billy” Haines
Interior of Betsy Bloomingdale's Holmby Hills Home
![Christies betsy bloomingdale 119](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/49tK59r18AyqeMIaC8WCkC/8b489228690847cc72b8830951efb2cf/christies_betsy_bloomingdale_119.jpg)
Donald Judd
Untitled Prints, 1988-93
![Donaldjudd prints 1988 1993](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/61tYjiV2pOWUYAEOqMsQoM/10e3ef93e979c46c1500f26bd3be987f/DonaldJudd_Prints_1988-1993.jpg)
Jean Royère
Table d'Appoint, 1946
![Jean royere table d appoint 1946](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/3Jb2NEGZmoCQYyAiKe2KM4/182f377b79998ba08ee4c0d4f8041705/Jean_Royere__Table_d_appoint__1946.png)
Jean-Charles de Castelbajac
Dress, 1994
![Jean charles de castelbajac 1994 pt2](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/FaelCnEEKcmK2Iu64Y022/431d39734938a83d618adf88b24dd481/Jean-Charles_de_Castelbajac_1994_pt2.jpg)
Joel Meyerowitz
Florida, 1970
![Joel meyerowitz florida 1970](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/4fLpzyfAnYimyuUuSKIAGE/912af76faab7f7228bf034275082b1d5/Joel_Meyerowitz_Florida__1970.jpg)
Gio Ponti
Lounge Chair, 1953
![Lounge chair by gio ponti. silk walnut 1953.](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/3vAcG56DhSsk0cGeU4cCaU/c1b0af3d6ab75f5d083fd1ffa1c4a448/Lounge_chair_by_Gio_Ponti._Silk__Walnut__1953..jpg)
Elsa Schiaparelli
Trompe l’oeil Bowknot Sweater, 1927
![One of schiaparelli s frist sweaters 1927](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/1DSYOprD40oiOGAgUIamuy/6ab8b17ca4252f782574476ef68c22ce/One_of_Schiaparelli_s_frist_sweaters__1927.jpg)
William “Billy” Haines
Parrot Lamp, 1950s
![Parrot lamp by william haines](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/45Bv3aJxYkOAOk0eoSSISU/c1c7e49d7172323e1bafc4177bf92f40/Parrot_Lamp_by_William_Haines.jpg)
Roberta di Caerino
Dress
![Roberta di caerino dress](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/5BrdJoWapqME0aiuYeE4A4/79d735e530f2e5a22e131ea8138aaa46/Roberta_di_Caerino_Dress.jpg)
Douglas Pollard
Illustration, Schiaparelli Bowknot Sweater, 1927
![Schiaparelli bowknot sweater 1927. illustration by douglas pollard](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/1Gj9s6Pgi8qWqCqY4q0ymq/dae485a61389c6cc4744d6b9524e4943/Schiaparelli_Bowknot_Sweater__1927._Illustration_by_DOuglas_Pollard.jpg)
Elsa Schiaparelli
Trompe l’oeil Bow Tie Sweater, 1927
![Schiaparelli bowknot sweater 1927](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/VSuapFz0keS2EAwoqySeu/c84468df2157e6a09d5cb2576a1cfeee/Schiaparelli_bowknot_sweater__1927.jpg)
Thomas Ruff
Interior Colour Photograph, 1979
![Thomas ruff interior colour photograph 20.5com x 27.5 cm 1979](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/6WCXhK9UrKIMOEoOQgMEoc/c995c2ac820746ddf0b3eff5a9c03713/Thomas_Ruff__Interior__colour_photograph__20.5com_x_27.5_cm__1979.jpg)
References
![8d2910d2d8e1fdbad024d611a6e3ad48 billy20haines20design](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/1aW9i0y5TEWCMq8My6SIsW/54e3f7848f1e76a3e074556c8f2e44b8/__8d2910d2d8e1fdbad024d611a6e3ad48-Billy20Haines20design.jpg?w=1000&q=70)
William “Billy” Haines
Interior
1 of 20
![a desert house designed by richard neutra for edgar j. kaufmann palm springs california january 1970. lita baron approa](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/nX20rm5g9UOIEsMAiIeUM/1a8cd461f0c635fb18c700e234c49018/__A_desert_house_designed_by_Richard_Neutra_for_Edgar_J._Kaufmann__Palm_Springs__California__January_1970._Lita_Baron_approa.jpg?w=1000&q=70)
Slim Aarons
A desert house designed by Richard Neutra for Edgar J. Kaufmann, Palm Springs, California, January, 1970
2 of 20
![david hockney a bigger splash 1967](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/z2FOIf7HIO6gacYYSGa0A/658003c9b4326d71d70fe7472979abc4/__David_Hockney__A_Bigger_Splash___1967.jpg?w=1000&q=70)
David Hockney
A Bigger Splash, 1967
3 of 20
![fabric sample mille fleurs cotton mille fleurs josef frank svenskt tenn](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/3sE6QTRQEgQu2GkagmYegY/a5a96bd6396fe5f105cbb3af60bcb202/__Fabric_Sample_Mille_Fleurs_-_Cotton__Mille_Fleurs__Josef_Frank___Svenskt_Tenn.jpg?w=1000&q=70)
Josef Frank
Mille Fleurs Textile
4 of 20
![Img01](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/3jqU0RauYgwaKKywYAkgw8/2420ab8f2cce369b49d52fdc39fb1d71/img01.jpg?w=1000&q=70)
Jean Royère
“Œuf” chair, 1950s
5 of 20
![tumblr ljqlbyzbqc1qcddvlo1 500](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/4nilDcvJm0yYc8YscYwucA/ddb50743f5155d1550791085415dc6ce/__tumblr_ljqlbyzBqC1qcddvlo1_500.jpg?w=1000&q=70)
Elsa Schiaparelli
Trompe l’oeil Bow Tie Sweater, 1930s
6 of 20
![project model shuttlecocks claes oldenburg coosje van bruggen wood and plastic on wood base 7 x 7.25 x 7.25 inches](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/2AvgMMFfIQsiIwqyGUWW6a/098bb4fe6c979f9b514a9b28502442c8/__Project_model__Shuttlecocks__Claes_Oldenburg___Coosje_van_Bruggen_Wood_and_plastic_on_wood_base_7_x_7.25_x_7.25_inches.jpg?w=1000&q=70)
Claes Oldenburg & Coosje van Bruggen
Project Model “Shuttlecocks”, 1993-94
7 of 20
![Henri matisse the parakeet and the mermaid. 1952.](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/5JanhqynaowaiMuuWAumgy/52d24593e496d6b984da465a96f20a1c/Henri_Matisse_The_Parakeet_and_the_Mermaid._1952..jpg?w=1000&q=70)
Henri Matisse
The Parakeet and the Mermaid, 1952
8 of 20
![Christies betsy bloomingdale 119](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/49tK59r18AyqeMIaC8WCkC/8b489228690847cc72b8830951efb2cf/christies_betsy_bloomingdale_119.jpg?w=1000&q=70)
William “Billy” Haines
Interior of Betsy Bloomingdale's Holmby Hills Home
9 of 20
![Donaldjudd prints 1988 1993](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/61tYjiV2pOWUYAEOqMsQoM/10e3ef93e979c46c1500f26bd3be987f/DonaldJudd_Prints_1988-1993.jpg?w=1000&q=70)
Donald Judd
Untitled Prints, 1988-93
10 of 20
![Jean royere table d appoint 1946](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/3Jb2NEGZmoCQYyAiKe2KM4/182f377b79998ba08ee4c0d4f8041705/Jean_Royere__Table_d_appoint__1946.png?w=1000&q=70)
Jean Royère
Table d'Appoint, 1946
11 of 20
![Jean charles de castelbajac 1994 pt2](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/FaelCnEEKcmK2Iu64Y022/431d39734938a83d618adf88b24dd481/Jean-Charles_de_Castelbajac_1994_pt2.jpg?w=1000&q=70)
Jean-Charles de Castelbajac
Dress, 1994
12 of 20
![Joel meyerowitz florida 1970](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/4fLpzyfAnYimyuUuSKIAGE/912af76faab7f7228bf034275082b1d5/Joel_Meyerowitz_Florida__1970.jpg?w=1000&q=70)
Joel Meyerowitz
Florida, 1970
13 of 20
![Lounge chair by gio ponti. silk walnut 1953.](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/3vAcG56DhSsk0cGeU4cCaU/c1b0af3d6ab75f5d083fd1ffa1c4a448/Lounge_chair_by_Gio_Ponti._Silk__Walnut__1953..jpg?w=1000&q=70)
Gio Ponti
Lounge Chair, 1953
14 of 20
![One of schiaparelli s frist sweaters 1927](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/1DSYOprD40oiOGAgUIamuy/6ab8b17ca4252f782574476ef68c22ce/One_of_Schiaparelli_s_frist_sweaters__1927.jpg?w=1000&q=70)
Elsa Schiaparelli
Trompe l’oeil Bowknot Sweater, 1927
15 of 20
![Parrot lamp by william haines](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/45Bv3aJxYkOAOk0eoSSISU/c1c7e49d7172323e1bafc4177bf92f40/Parrot_Lamp_by_William_Haines.jpg?w=1000&q=70)
William “Billy” Haines
Parrot Lamp, 1950s
16 of 20
![Roberta di caerino dress](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/5BrdJoWapqME0aiuYeE4A4/79d735e530f2e5a22e131ea8138aaa46/Roberta_di_Caerino_Dress.jpg?w=1000&q=70)
Roberta di Caerino
Dress
17 of 20
![Schiaparelli bowknot sweater 1927. illustration by douglas pollard](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/1Gj9s6Pgi8qWqCqY4q0ymq/dae485a61389c6cc4744d6b9524e4943/Schiaparelli_Bowknot_Sweater__1927._Illustration_by_DOuglas_Pollard.jpg?w=1000&q=70)
Douglas Pollard
Illustration, Schiaparelli Bowknot Sweater, 1927
18 of 20
![Schiaparelli bowknot sweater 1927](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/VSuapFz0keS2EAwoqySeu/c84468df2157e6a09d5cb2576a1cfeee/Schiaparelli_bowknot_sweater__1927.jpg?w=1000&q=70)
Elsa Schiaparelli
Trompe l’oeil Bow Tie Sweater, 1927
19 of 20
![Thomas ruff interior colour photograph 20.5com x 27.5 cm 1979](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/6WCXhK9UrKIMOEoOQgMEoc/c995c2ac820746ddf0b3eff5a9c03713/Thomas_Ruff__Interior__colour_photograph__20.5com_x_27.5_cm__1979.jpg?w=1000&q=70)