When Technology Meets Fashion: In Conversation with Designer Thom Browne

Designer Thom Browne explains how fashion and technology can come together to create unique smartphone experiences.

On the surface, the field of technology and fashion appear worlds apart. But for Samsung and world-renowned fashion designer Thom Browne, the idea of bringing their innovations together seemed natural right from the get-go. In the Galaxy Z Flip, the two companies found the perfect platform to showcase the fruits of their creative synergy.

The Galaxy Z Flip Thom Browne Edition is designed for those who value individual expressions and aren’t afraid to stand out from the crowd. From the packaging to the wallpaper, the special edition device combines Samsung’s cutting-edge technology with Thom Browne’s iconic aesthetics to create a one-of-a-kind smartphone experience.

To mark the launch of the device, Thom Browne shares his thoughts on the collaboration and reveals his approach to the design of the special edition Galaxy Z Flip.

Q: Could you tell us how your collaboration with Samsung came about?

Thom Browne: Samsung has supported my works for quite some time and coming together for this collaboration was very easy for me, especially when we both value provoking people to think and see things differently with our work.

Q: How did you approach the design of the special edition Galaxy Z Flip?

TB: For my collections, I take classic ideas and I reintroduce them to people in conceptual ways. It started from taking a piece of tailored clothing and reintroducing it in a way that makes people take interest in it again.

The Galaxy Z Flip’s clamshell design is familiar to me because my first device was a flip phone. That’s why this project is completely in tune with how I approach design myself. It’s all about pushing a classic idea forward and make it as innovative as possible.

Q: How did you incorporate your brand into the Galaxy Z Flip?

TB: Within the phone, you see so many different elements of my world. The use of signature colors is both on the exterior and interior of the phone. Elements of the world of tailoring are also within the stitching of the apps. The aesthetic of Thom Browne is even in the packaging. It’s designed in a way that’s reminiscent of walking into an office and seeing a desk and a briefcase.

Q: What do you think is the most special aspect of this collaboration?

TB: Fashion and technology intersect as they are both concerned with taking ideas and moving them forward. This phone is really unique because it has the signature of both the world of Samsung and Thom Browne. You can see it in the design, the innovative technology, and the attention to creating something that is timeless.

When people use this phone, I want them to feel like they are using something special that is carefully thought out in terms of its technology and design.