Thom Browne Steals the Spotlight at GQ Bowl 2026: Tailoring, Football, and Fresh Brand Collaborations Collide in San Francisco
- Melissa Dulanto
- 5 days ago
- 3 min read
How Thom Browne Turned Super Bowl Weekend into High Fashion’s Biggest Runway Moment
On February 6, 2026, fashion’s most football-forward night returned for its second edition. GQ Bowl transformed San Francisco’s iconic Legion of Honor museum into a runway-meets-gridiron spectacle, with Thom Browne debuting his Fall 2026 collection just days before Super Bowl LX. The event—livestreamed globally and presented by eBay, Eli Lilly and Company, and ASICS Sportstyle—solidified the growing marriage between high fashion and pro sports, and Browne proved once again why he’s the master of that crossover.
A 25-Year Signature, Reimagined for Fall 2026
Browne’s Fall 2026 collection celebrated the 25th anniversary of his most radical idea: the shrunken men’s suit. This time, he expanded it into a full spectrum of fantastical, wintry tailoring that blurred the lines between classic menswear and sportswear.
Signature looks included:
Shrunken schoolboy blazers
Pleated skirts worn over cropped trousers
Dark navy wool parkas
Charcoal gray bombers paired with matching pleated skirts
Ripstop nylon blazers
Down-filled wool overcoats with technical linings
Coats were embroidered with “Browne” and the number 65 (his birth year), turning models into walking team uniforms. Cricket sweaters and varsity-inspired pieces added an athletic thread that nodded directly to Super Bowl weekend. The co-ed cast moved with purpose—tailoring that felt both theatrical and wearable.
The show reached its crescendo when the cast swapped heavy hiking and motorcycle boots for the finale footwear: a surprise new sneaker collaboration. NFL stars Justin Jefferson and DeAndre Hopkins (joined by Marcus Allen) walked in skirt suits and bombers, dripping in diamonds and swagger. Yahya Abdul-Mateen II narrated from a midcentury desk beneath Rodin’s “The Three Shades,” reciting Dante’s Inferno for dramatic flair.
Brand Collaborations Take Center Stage
GQ Bowl wasn’t just a runway show—it became a launchpad for two major Thom Browne collaborations.
Thom Browne x ASICS SportstyleThe headline surprise: Browne’s first-ever full sneaker collaboration. He reimagined the iconic GEL-Kayano 14 (originally released in 2008 and revived as a cult favorite) in three clean colorways—gray, black, and white. The only addition? His signature grosgrain ribbon tab in red, white, and blue. The shoes closed the show, worn by the entire cast and spotted earlier on Teyana Taylor’s daughter on the gray carpet. Pre-orders opened shortly after, with shipping beginning March 2, 2026. The collab felt inevitable—Browne has long drawn from American sportswear, and ASICS was already a presenting sponsor.
Thom Browne x BoseModels also wore custom Bose headphones down the runway, seamlessly integrating premium audio tech into the collection’s polished aesthetic. The partnership added a modern, lifestyle layer to the show, proving Browne’s tailoring can coexist with everyday tech and performance.
These drops continue Browne’s tradition of thoughtful, high-profile collaborations. From his long-running partnership with Moncler (where he redefines luxury down outerwear) to past roles like creative director at Brooks Brothers, he has repeatedly shown how to elevate sport and streetwear without losing his signature precision.
Star Power and Cultural Moment
The front row was stacked: Teyana Taylor and her daughters (all in head-to-toe Thom Browne), Christian McCaffrey, Queen Latifah, Victor Cruz, Sauce Gardner, Damar Hamlin, and more. Athletes didn’t just watch—they walked. The energy was electric, with nearly five minutes of applause after the finale. Guests raved about the perfect fusion: San Francisco’s historic beauty meeting football’s biggest weekend.
GQ Bowl creator and GQ’s global editorial director Will Welch nailed the vision: “Fashion and football have never been more intertwined.” Thom Browne made that truth undeniable.
In an era where NFL tunnel walks generate as much style buzz as runway shows, Thom Browne at GQ Bowl feels like the ultimate convergence. He didn’t just present a collection—he reminded everyone that great tailoring and great sportswear come from the same place: confidence, discipline, and a fearless sense of self.
The Asics sneakers and Bose headphones are already generating major hype, and the full Fall 2026 collection is destined to become a benchmark for the season. If you missed the livestream, catch the replay on GQ’s YouTube and website. Trust us—you’ll want to see every look (and those sneakers) up close.
Thom Browne didn’t just show up for GQ Bowl. He redefined what a fashion-meets-football moment can be—and dropped two collaborations that will be talked about all year.
What’s your favorite look from the show? Drop it in the comments—and keep an eye out for those Thom Browne x ASICS GEL-Kayano 14s dropping soon.
Photo: Courtesy of Thom Browne
Comments