Black Fleece bows on Bleecker -- can Beverly Hills be far behind?

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Brooks Brothers’ Black Fleece label opened its first stand-alone boutique today at 351 Bleecker St. in New York’s West Village, an appropriately tiny 800-square-foot space, considering the line is designed by Thom Browne, whose appreciation for the shrunken suit has influenced the silhouette of today’s menswear.

The Black Fleece by Brooks Brothers store on the corner of Bleecker and 10th showcases the entire men’s and women’s line of clothing and accessories in a space appointed in gray flannel upholstery with black-lacquered antique details. Until now, the line, which launched in 2007 as a collaboration between the staid clothier and the 2006 CFDA Menswear designer of the year, had been available in only 30 Brooks Brothers flagship stores.

Company spokesman Arthur Wayne told us that though there are currently no concrete plans to roll out additional stand-alone stores (this one was a long time in coming, originally slated to open last fall), the new space will be used as a template and laboratory for other possible stores.

But a West Coast outpost would seem like a logical next step. ‘Our Rodeo Drive’s flagship is one of the biggest sellers of Black Fleece,’ Wayne said, noting that celebrities such as Zac Efron, Jimmy Fallon, the Jonas brothers and Jon Hamm wear the collection.

Until then, if you guys feel the need to get your dapper Don Draper on -- or for any of you ladies who need to Betty up -- the Spring 2009 collection, each piece worthy of a Sterling Cooper office mixer, can be found at the Beverly Hills store.

--Adam Tschorn