Brooks Brothers celebrates 200 years of American style

Brooks Brothers continues to celebrate its 200th anniversary with a special retrospective at Grand Central Terminal in New York City. Presented in association with Citi, the exhibition, Brooks Brothers: 200 Years of American Style, will feature a selection of the brand's historical archives spanning the last two centuries.

Located in the Vanderbilt Hall within Grand Central Terminal, just one block from the Brooks Brothers store on Madison Avenue, 200 Years of American Style includes a sample of men's and women's fashion, artifacts and images that track the inventions and innovations of Brooks Brothers, such as the ready-made suit and other nineteenth-century ready-to-wear garments, the Original Polo dress shirt, the inverted striped tie, the polo coat and the sports apparel that was later adapted for everyday life. The exhibition also explores themes and moments that define the era, such as the roaring twenties, Madison Avenue mid-century, the lasting influence of the brand on university campuses and its unique distinction of having equipped 40 of the 45 U.S. presidents.

Brooks Brothers 200th anniversary retrospective to open at Grand Central Terminal

The American fashion of today is the result of years of innovative introductions and revolutionary disruptions of Brooks Brothers. Although perhaps today it is better known as a "classic" brand, it was the brand's founder, Henry Sands Brooks, an influential fashion and style disrupter, who set out to find something new and innovative. The exhibit will showcase some of Henry's possessions: a silhouette and framed glasses for the brand's 100th anniversary, and his agenda containing a record of Brooks Brothers' earliest transaction, April 7, 1818, a loan of 10 pounds to Daniel Merritt, a friend of the family.

"As we continue this year of celebration, this exhibition allows us to share our legendary history that began in New York City 200 years ago," said Brooks Brothers president and CEO Claudio Del Vecchio in a statement. "Brooks Brothers has equipped a constantly changing world and consistently pursues quality and innovation, and the exhibition will highlight a display of iconic pieces that have revolutionized and defined the American style as we know it today."

In the center of the space is a 5.5 meter high video sculpture in the form of the brand's logo, the Golden Calf. The dynamic sculpture contains 100 LED screens and will take visitors through a visual tour of the brand, and will also highlight some of its notable clients, including musicians, writers, politicians and Hollywood actors.

Brooks Brothers will also sell a selection of limited edition commemorative products created to celebrate its 200th anniversary milestone. These include pocket handkerchiefs, ties, gift items and a special edition of Monopoly.

photo: courtesy of Replica Comunicacion