In a refreshing escape from the persistent city heat, fashion maestro Thom Browne orchestrated a charming autumn gathering in Amenia, New York. This exclusive weekend celebration for his Fall 2025 collection drew together a select group of actors and writers, offering a delightful blend of fashion, fine dining, and serene upstate activities. The event beautifully showcased Browne's signature aesthetic amidst the crisp, vibrant backdrop of early autumn, providing guests with a unique and memorable experience.
Thom Browne's Elegant Autumn Soiree in Amenia: A Detailed Report
As September's chill began to grace the air, Thom Browne, the celebrated designer, invited a curated assembly to Amenia, New York, for a weekend dedicated to his Fall 2025 collection. This charming upstate town, a mere two-hour drive from the bustling streets of New York City, provided a picturesque setting where autumn was in full bloom. The gathering commenced on a crisp morning at the historic Troutbeck Hotel's library, bringing together luminaries such as Denée Benton, Louisa Jacobson, and Morgan Spector from \"The Gilded Age,\" along with actress and director Rebecca Hall, Sean Kaufman and Minnie Mills from \"The Summer I Turned Pretty,\" actor Sydney Lemmon and her brother Jonathan, and GQ's Samuel Hine. The group, eager to shed the remnants of city summer, anticipated an afternoon of leisurely activities culminating in a sophisticated black-tie dinner.
Following their morning rendezvous, the guests enjoyed an idyllic picnic lunch by a vine-covered stone footbridge and a gently flowing stream. Dressed in Browne's fall creations, they epitomized sartorial elegance. Rebecca Hall sported a delightful gray, pink, and white gingham cardigan, while Denée Benton showcased a plaid skirt suit adorned with argyle socks and geese appliqué. The narrative's author wore a wool trompe l'oeil shift dress, paired with knee socks – a chic upgrade from their high school days. The menu featured delectable roast chicken in a vibrant orange pepper sauce, salmon, and a refreshing melon, cucumber, and mint salad atop whipped ricotta, all rounded off with buttery biscuits, raspberry jam, and clotted cream.
After the exquisite meal, some guests embraced the outdoors. Spector and Jacobson tried their hand at fly fishing, guided by local experts. Jacobson, serene in her three-piece pinstripe suit, effortlessly donned waders, wading into the stream. Spector's process was more elaborate, meticulously untying his knee-high lace-up boots but retaining his plaid trench coat. Kaufman, however, plunged into the water without waterproofing, his gray corduroy suit and gingham shirt quickly becoming drenched, while Mills playfully dodged his splashes from the bank. Onlookers, observing the scene, mused about the local fishermen's thoughts on the fashionable spectacle, while Hine and Lemmon attempted, mostly in vain, to teach backgammon as champagne flowed and dinnertime approached.
A brief respite in their hotel rooms, with some opting for a quiet moment or catching the US Open men's finals, preceded the evening's black-tie affair. The author chose a black blazer and cropped, straight-legged trousers from Browne's collection, paired with a white button-down and a black tie featuring a clock design and the brand's signature tricolor stripe. White socks and black pointy-toe wingtip heels, tied like pointe shoes, completed the ensemble. Pre-dinner drinks on the Troutbeck lawn led to lighthearted banter about the clock tie's time, with Spector humorously suggesting a dentist appointment.
The black-tie dress code offered creative interpretations. Kaufman and Mills experimented with gender-fluid styles: Kaufman in a knee-length skirt and Mills in a sharp suit and tie. Lemmon embraced a sheer aesthetic with a diaphanous black silk organza skirt and jacket over the tricolor, while Jacobson revealed an ab-baring cropped button-down and midi skirt beneath her open suit jacket. Serendipitously, Mark Ronson, Jacobson's brother-in-law, was celebrating his 50th birthday and promoting his new book, "Night People," with a party on the property. The elegantly dressed guests, making a quick appearance at Ronson's event, drew curious stares from locals, amused by their synchronized fashion choices, with one playfully asking if they were flight attendants, prompting a wife's horrified interjection.
As golden hour cast its enchanting glow, the group embarked on a scenic drive through the countryside to Pine Plains. There, at the beloved Stissing House, Browne joined them for dinner. The restaurant's top floor, with its low wooden beams, long central table, Shaker furniture, and simple yet elegant decor of white candlesticks, colorful tomatoes, and celery stalks, evoked a "pastoral Dracula" ambiance, as noted by Hall. In the soft candlelight before dinner, Kaufman and Mills shared a tender slow dance. Returning to Troutbeck for a nightcap, guests either changed into cozy cashmere Thom Browne sweaters and hotel slippers or simply loosened their ties. The evening concluded with rounds of chess, billiards, and a final, unsuccessful attempt at backgammon in the parlor. The author and Jacobson, partnering in a game of pool against Jonathan and a member of Team Browne, eventually conceded defeat, acknowledging the fun of the game despite the challenges of playing in heels.
This immersive weekend orchestrated by Thom Browne offers a compelling insight into the world of high fashion and its ability to blend artistry with social experience. The event seamlessly integrated the presentation of the Fall 2025 collection with engaging activities and exquisite dining, highlighting Browne's distinct vision not just in design, but in creating a holistic lifestyle narrative. It underscores the growing trend of fashion houses curating unique, experiential events that go beyond traditional runway shows, fostering deeper connections with their brand and celebrating creativity in a more intimate setting. For attendees, it was more than just a preview of a collection; it was a memorable autumn retreat filled with camaraderie, style, and the quiet charm of upstate New York, demonstrating how fashion can transcend mere clothing to become an all-encompassing cultural statement.