“Paris is always my home in France, [but] the south of France offers something else — an escape,” Thom Browne tells Highsnobiety, on his decision to open up shop in the picturesque and lavish town of St. Tropez. Nestled in a corner of the EPI resort, a historic, members-only luxury club and hotel, the Thom Browne Tennis Pro Shop is the brand’s 78th retail location and first-ever standalone store in France.
As the name suggests, the TB Tennis Pro Shop is themed around tennis, one of EPI’s main activities on offer. The “minimalist wellness and sports-inspired retreat” is equipped with two clay courts, as well as two pools, a yoga and meditation deck, and an outdoor sports deck with plenty of bikes and water sports supplies for members to take advantage of.
Browne is no stranger to sports, as he himself has been an avid athlete most of his life, actively playing football, basketball, and of course tennis, since his youth. “Sports have been a part of my routine since childhood. I always appreciate people who are the best at what they do,” Browne says. “Often this brings me to athletes as a point of inspiration.”
Browne was invited to open his shop by EPI founding member and tennis legend John McEnroe, one of the athletes he’s idolized for decades. “Playing tennis in high school in Allentown, I always looked up to John McEnroe. To partner with him in this club is a dream, for me and for my teenage self.”
EPI’s Tennis Pro Shop will stock a new and exclusive tennis-inspired seersucker collection alongside Thom Browne’s regular ready-to-wear. To be released later this year, the limited-edition line will be the latest in a series of the designer's sports-inspired collections that previously centered around football, running, and swimming.
The shop, though a tight 500 square-feet, is plenty packed with the finest furniture and design details in addition to Thom Browne's coveted collection. Outfitted with sleek gray subway tiles and specially-designed mid-century modern furniture, visitors can also take refuge in George Nakashima chairs in the small and cozy backyard.
If you’re ever in St. Tropez and are interested in visiting the Thom Browne outpost, it’s important to note that EPI is ultra private and requires membership for entry. But don’t fret, as you can call the shop at +33 (0) 4 22 82 1959 or request a shop appointment here.
