Thom Browne’s Global Rise and Leadership Milestones
Founded in 2001, Thom Browne has grown from a niche menswear atelier into a modern luxury house spanning men’s, women’s, and children’s collections, establishing itself as a New York-based innovator in the industry. Growth accelerated following Zegna’s majority acquisition in 2018. Under Rodrigo Bazan’s stewardship since 2016, the brand nearly tripled its sales to €315 million in 2024 and expanded to 116 directly operated stores worldwide.
Gildo Zegna, Chairman and CEO, Ermenegildo Zegna Group, commented, “Rodrigo’s entrepreneurial vision, along with his pivotal role in Thom Browne’s defense of its intellectual property rights against Adidas, has been instrumental in protecting and reinforcing the brand’s authentic and unique identity. Under Rodrigo’s leadership, Thom Browne’s revenues have nearly tripled since our acquisition of the brand. We thank him for laying the foundation for future growth.”
Celebrating a Nine-Year Partnership
Bazan’s departure closes a chapter defined by impressive global expansion and the notable three-stripe Adidas litigation. Designer and founder Thom Browne expressed his appreciation. Thom Browne, Chief Creative Officer and Founder, added, “Over the past nine years, I have been working side by side with Rodrigo, and together we have developed Thom Browne from a niche brand into today’s luxury icon of modern tailoring. I am profoundly grateful for his unwavering support and dedication throughout this extraordinary journey.”
Bazan himself spoke about transitioning to new opportunities. Rodrigo Bazan, CEO (outgoing), reflected, “Leading Thom Browne over the past 9 years has been an extraordinary journey. I’m proud of what we’ve built and grateful for the team’s support. Working with Gildo Zegna and Thom Browne has been a true privilege. After thoughtful consideration, I’ve decided to step down to focus on new opportunities, but I’ll always remain connected and supportive of the brand’s future.”
Why Sam Lobban?
While Bazan is known for his operational expertise, incoming CEO Sam Lobban brings merchandising creativity and a digital-first mindset. A London native, Lobban built his reputation at Selfridges, the founding team of Mr. Porter, and Nordstrom. His track record of launching exclusive collaborations and shaping contemporary assortments aligns with Thom Browne’s focus on building direct relationships with customers.
Gildo Zegna also stated, “I am pleased to welcome Sam, whose widely recognized customer-first mindset and innovative approach to merchandising will be most valuable to accelerate the retail-driven growth journey of the Thom Browne brand.”
Thom Browne welcomed Lobban warmly, he said: “As we enter a new chapter in our journey, I am delighted to welcome Sam. His deep understanding of our brand’s distinctive DNA and his visionary approach make him the ideal partner to help shape the future of our brand.”
For Lobban, joining Thom Browne is both an honor and a natural career move. Sam Lobban, incoming CEO, concluded, “As a longstanding fan of the brand, I’m very excited to be joining Thom Browne. Having been a wholesale partner for so long, I’ve been fortunate enough to have a front row seat watching as they’ve built an incredible business celebrating Thom’s creativity and his unique take on a modern wardrobe. I’m very much looking forward to being able to support the team to continue to grow and inspire customers.”
Looking Ahead
This leadership transition happens as Zegna Group pursues a broader luxury strategy that includes Zegna and Tom Ford Fashion. With group revenues at €1.95 billion in 2024, the conglomerate is positioning Thom Browne for new growth phases: deeper expansion in Asia, strengthening its women’s business, and pioneering creative retail experiences. Lobban’s arrival signals a shift toward stronger retail focus and merchandising innovation, building on his industry experience. As the brand advances, it is supported by the unique combination of a visionary founder and a strategic, experienced parent group, ready for tomorrow with creativity and modern ambition.
