Check out a behind-the-scenes video of Jessica at the cover shoot wearing this and the Violet Floral Hand Painted Satin Stitch Embroidery Evening Dress below!
Which dress do you prefer?
Photoshoot Details: FLARE Magazine, January 2012 Photographer: Max Abadian
When news of the complete TOM FORD Beauty Color Collection was first released I couldn’t decide what I was more excited about. The blushes? Nail lacquers? More lip color choices? Those amazing looking brushes? I wanted one of everything (and still do!). That being said, the items that intrigued me the most right from the get-go were the Eye Color Quads. The ad campaign and product shots alike made them look so deeply pigmented and luxurious… I simply couldn’t resist their allure. The first one I’ll be reviewing here is Silvered Topaz.
THE PACKAGING
Before we move on to the color edit, let’s talk about the packaging. Without a doubt, the high-gloss dark maroon (almost black) and gold cases that house the shadows are stunning.
The lines are very clean and almost deceptively simple, but their hefty weight and size makes them look and feel truly decadent. Each quad comes with a brown velvet sleeve which doubles as a cloth that can be used to help remove fingerprints from the outside of the case (and the cases really are fingerprint magnets). The case has a magnetic closure and houses a large mirror and two standard double-ended applicators. I’ve read that some people quite like the applicators, but I always use a brush and/or fingers to apply shadow, and TOM FORD Beauty shadows are no different.
The shadows themselves are protected by a plastic cover that has “TF” stamped into the middle of each corresponding shadow pan.
Superb branding.
THE COLOR EDIT
Silvered Topaz is one of the cool-toned offerings in the TOM FORD Beauty Color Collection. It may not work on everyone, but before you decide “it isn’t for me” you may want to delve a bit deeper. I am fortunate because both warm- and cool-toned color palettes work for me (I can wear either NC25 or NW25) but this quad pulls warm on my face. The color breakdown is as follows:
Top left: sheer, very light champagne with glitter (sequin shade)
Top right: silver-toned taupe with very fine shimmer (satin finish)
Bottom left: mauve-based taupe with a slight hint of brown shimmer (shimmery satin finish)
Let’s take a closer look at the full color edit and a comparison of swatches in direct sun vs. natural light.
The Complete Color Edit
The shadows in this quad are smooth and nicely pigmented. The color is rich but buildable, so you can choose to use a heavy hand or go for a softer wash of color. If you do choose to layer heavily there will be some fallout (especially with the champagne shade), but otherwise application results in a lovely silvery smokey eye.
Personally, I love the bottom left shade and frequently use it both alone for a simple wash of color, or as a base for a more complex look. Both the satin and matte shades are finely milled and blend effortlessly. I prefer to pat the champagne shade on with my finger instead of a brush,which seems to help with any fallout you might expect from the glitter.
Top: Silvered Topaz direct light (bottom left, bottom right, top right, top left)/Bottom: Silvered Topaz in shade (bottom left, bottom right, top right, top left)
The shadows wear beautifully and are very long-lasting (I’d say about 8 hours). I am really impressed.
Do you own Silvered Topaz? What do you think of it?
“Death does determine life…. Once life is finished it acquires a sense; up to that point it has not got a sense; its sense is suspended and therefore ambiguous. However, to be sincere I must add that for me death is important only if it is not justified and rationalised by reason. For me death is the maximum of epic-ness.” — Pier Paolo Pasolini.
Every so often you come across something that leaves you speechless with emotion. “The Last Obsession” is one of those things. A short film written and directed by Luca Finotti, it is dedicated to the memory of Vogue Hommes International fashion editor Francesco Cominelli.
I am posting it here because I think it’s simply beautiful.
See for yourself (Note: some nudity is present):
Amazing, no?
I think it is fitting that pieces from the TOM FORD menswear collection were involved in this tribute given that Cominelli was known for his superior taste and sense of style. You can’t get any better than TOM FORD.
But above all, Finotti produced a touching, emotional film that should be seen by all.
It left me speechless the first time I saw it… and I hope you enjoyed it as well.
Film Details: Written and Directed by Luca Finotti Fashion Editor: Nicolas Klam All clothing and accessories: TOM FORD Autumn/Winter 2011 Collection Starring: Jamie Wise, Sebastian Sauve, Nick Lacy Song: “Empty Chairs at Empty Tables” by Micheal Ball and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Quite a few online Sample Sale sites are featuring TOM FORD sunglasses right now. As I’ve mentioned before, it can be difficult to find more current styles in these sales, but some are available right now!
Beyond the Rack
As usual, I think the best selection available right now is on Beyond the Rack.
The always popular (and gorgeous!) Nico, Whitney, Jennifer and Rachel are all available as of the writing of this post for under $250 each, plus free shipping is being offered through November 30th.
That is a great price for those styles; you will rarely find them for less online.
Editors’ Closet
That being sad, Editors’ Closet also has a nice but limited selection of TOM FORD sunglasses and eyewear on sale right now for under $100/each.
The selection is extremely limited and I find Editors’ Closet to be more difficult to use than other Sample Sale sites, but if you are looking for a deal, $100 for TOM FORD? That is amazing!
Finally, Rue La La is going to feature TOM FORD beginning December 2nd. Their selection is typically somewhere in between Editors’ Closet and Beyond the Rack, so check them out as well!
Are you planning to buy any TOM FORD sunglasses this holiday season? For yourself or as gifts? Those Rachel’s are calling my name!
I am a little late reporting this because I haven’t been online much today—birthday festivities and all—but Tom Ford has given Vogue an exclusive look at the Spring/Summer 2012 Womenswear Ready-to-Wear Collection.
You may recall that there was quite a stir around this collection during London Fashion Week; some called it an instant classic, while others were left completely underwhelmed. After seeing the official images, I have to say I agree with those that praised it. I love the fact that—since his return to womenswear—each of the new collection’s Ford has released has complemented the last. There is a definite cohesiveness that unifies his work, and each collection seems to pick up right where the preceding one left off. The fringe, that gorgeous cobalt-violet color, the corset touches, the beading, those killer heels… it all gets better and better with each season.
“My focus is really old-fashioned. I want to do classic clothes. I don’t want to do trendy collections that swing around from season to season. I want to do things that will stay in a woman’s wardrobe a long time—quite ‘forever’ pieces. So I’m looking for consistency… Blouses with a loose, slouchy quality; something fitted at the waist, and with a bondage-y thing on the foot—my favorite is the wedge with the chain-strap!”Ford tells Vogue.
The cobalt-violet pants above are a favorite of Ford’s and the suit will be seen in the advertsing campaign for this collection. “[The pants] are in double-stretch satin, so they hold you like Spanx!”
“[Richard and I] always go to three amazing Western shows in Santa Fe. Richard bought me a piece of barbed wire from the 1870s, which is where the idea for the twisted cuff originated. But then,” Ford said, laughing, “ you have to be careful with inspiration. There’s fringe, but I didn’t want to end up with a Pocahontas collection.”
“… I’ve streamlined things more this season. I think I’m very classic, because what I do is always based on something you’ve seen before. And yes, maybe there’s something YSL about it. When I left off designing for women, I was at YSL so I’m working through that to be me, asking myself, What do I like? What defines your brand?”
“It seems people came looking for what they used to find from me—the ruched dresses, the shaggy fur jackets.”
Exquisite. Sexy. Stunning. Pure TOM FORD.
While we wait for the HQ images to be released, Ford has also released this video to whet our appetites:
Ford also spoke to Vogue about the his plans to show his next Collection in February 2012. Those of us hoping for a full runway show for the Autumn/Winter 2012 have to accept that Ford is dedicated to providing a personal touch with his line. This means no big runway presentations and, instead, the smaller, intimate gatherings he is becoming known for. Current plans call for “ten small, personal presentations” in the London showroom. The future for TOM FORD is one which melds luxe goods and close, personal contact. Instead of a runway spectacle, those fortunate enough to attend get a personal look at each look in his collection with accompanying commentary. Truth be told, that sounds fascinating to me.
So, what do you think of the Collection?
I can’t wait to see the high quality imagery so we can see the detail even better!
November is my birthday month so, some time ago, I decided to treat myself to quite a few pieces from the new TOM FORD Beauty Collection. Waiting for them to arrive just about killed me, but 99% of my order from Neiman Marcus has finally been delivered as of this weekend! I am still waiting on the Traceless Foundation because they accidentally sent me the Stick instead of the liquid, but that should also be here shortly as well.
I feel like this has turned into a Beauty Blog lately, but it is absolutely necessary given this launch and the unbelievable quality of the items in the collection. I wasted no time in sharing my thoughts on Bitter Bitch and I still have some lip colors to cover, but it is time to start putting together reviews of the other new items. Here is a preview of what is to come!
Brow Sculptor in Taupe and Eye Pencil in Metallic Mink:
Cheek Brush (left) and Foundation Brush (right):
Is there something else you are dying to see reviewed?
Let me know in the comments—I could easily be persuaded to add to my collection because, so far, I am in love!
Also, I want to say thanks to grit and glamour and her instagram pics for giving me the idea of using fur as a background for these pics. Hope you don’t mind I stole this idea, V—LOVE the look!
If someone were to ask me what my favorite beauty product is I would say nail polish, with lipstick coming in as a close second. I think about nail polish the same way I think about shoes: they can make or break an outfit/look. It doesn’t matter how beautifully made-up your face may be—if your nails look awful it will absolutely ruin the look. Especially if you are a jewelry (ring!) addict like me. In that case in particular manicured nails are always a must.
One of the most-buzzed about items in the new TOM FORD Beauty Collection is the Nail Lacquer. The colors, which cover the full range of neutrals to brights, are beautifully saturated and high shine. And with names like Bordeaux Lust, Naked and Carnal Red they certainly are attention grabbing. There is one particular color, however, that seems to be garnering the most attention.
Meet Bitter Bitch:
The perfect Fall color, isn’t she?
At first glance, Bitter Bitch is a rich, chocolatey-brown nail lacquer with a red base. It is a vampy, seductive shade that is already selling out everywhere. Instant cult-classic, anyone?
But Bitter Bitch is complicated. She isn’t a Chanel Vamp-wannabe. She is much more than that.
She is a chameleon.
The formula is so saturated that, at times, Bitter Bitch seems almost black:
That is very different from how she looks in the bottle, no?
My photo on left/Stock photo on right
But you know what? In natural light, she looks lighter. Softer. Not quite as bitter, perhaps?
The official description of the TOM FORD Beauty Nail Lacquer’s reads: “To Tom Ford every detail counts. This extra-amplified, gloss and shine nail lacquer, in a wardrobe of shades from alluring brights to chic neutrals, lets you express your mood and complete your look. Its groundbreaking, high-performance formula with bendable coating delivers high coverage and shine while staying color true throughout wear.”
Here is what I say.
The packaging is luxurious and decadent, just like the rest of the product line.
The brush is well made and designed to cover the nail beautifully.
The formula is highly saturated and glossy. I only used two coats in this manicure… a third was absolutely NOT necessary. The shine is evident in the photos above as well—I was getting a reflection in my nails whenever I tried to take close-up!
The finish isn’t glittery and there are no shimmer particles visible but, somehow, it shines. As for wear, I have only had it on one day so I can’t tell you that yet. But so far so good!
The bottom line: Light. Dark. Red. Chocolate. It doesn’t matter—Bitter Bitch is absolutely stunning no matter the hue.
What do you think? Love it? Hate it? Want it?
TOM FORD Beauty Bitter Bitch Nail Lacquer ($30) is available now at your closest TOM FORD Beauty counter and online at Bergdorf Goodman and Neiman Marcus.
Credits: All images were taken by me except for stock photo via TOM FORD. Bitter Bitch was purchased by me.
Ever wonder why I admire Tom Ford so much? Let me explain why…
My Story:
There was a period of time while I was growing up when I hated the fact that I am a girl.
I didn’t grow up in the same circumstances as a lot of you so, as a child, I was branded “different” for a variety of reasons:
My parents weren’t born in the U.S., so English wasn’t my first/only language growing up. That seemed weird to kids my age.
While my friends were eating processed foods and getting treated to meals at McDonald’s and Burger King, my parents were going to farms and buying FRESH meat and growing produce in our backyard. And our backyard was in the middle of the city for awhile.
I have a clear memory of a goat—an actual live goat—invading my bedroom while I was trying to sleep and munching on my favorite blanket. If that doesn’t traumatize you as a child, NOTHING will.
Your lunch sandwich = turkey or BLT. My lunch sandwich = prosciutto and/or various Italian salamis.
Your parents garage = a place to park their car. My parents garage = a place to keep 120-gallon barrels of fermenting wine and/or cabbage.
Anyway, you get the picture. My life was just a bit different than that of my friends, so I tried to blend in with them as much as I could. As a result, my personal style was nothing out of the ordinary—I wore the same types of clothing as everyone else and did everything I could to not stand out from the crowd.
Then, one day, it happened. I hit puberty and all of a sudden, as if by magic, these two huge lumps appeared on my chest! I swear it seemed like overnight I went from completely flat to a large C Cup. No in between. They just BallOOned. And I was completely mortified!
I think most girls get excited at the prospect of wearing their first brassiere (please correct me if I am wrong, ladies). Not me—I was having none of it. I already felt so “different” as a child that this sudden change was just another thing setting me apart from everyone else. While other girls were begging their mothers to take them shopping for training bras, I was begging mine not to make me wear one. I didn’t want to grow up. I didn’t want to be different—I wanted to shrink into the background and hide from everyone.
So what did I do? I refused to wear a bra and instead started wearing baggy clothing. Yeah. In my mind, baggy clothing hid the “problem”—even while the girls bounced around freely during gym class! (I was insane, OK?) In hindsight, I know that all I ended up doing was driving more attention to myself, but I thought I was doing the opposite.
I didn’t know it at the time, but that was when it started. That was when I first became ashamed of my body.
Eventually I came to my senses and began wearing that much-needed bra, but I never stopped feeling uncomfortable in my own skin. The girls grew larger (I was a D/DD in high school) and I still dressed to hide them. I would never wear something that drew attention to my curves and instead turned into a bit of a tomboy. This even remained true throughout high school and part of college.
It wasn’t until 1996 that I experienced a series of moments that finally allowed me to snap out of that self-loathing and not only accept, but embrace my curves.
It began with a single comment. John, my best friend and long-time crush, had known me since we were freshman in college and knew exactly what my style was. One day we were walking to class and he stopped, looked me up and down, and said “what’s up with the bodysuit?”
I don’t really remember how I ended up with said bodysuit in my wardrobe—I think it had something to do with the fact that it was teal (my favorite color) and velvet (perfect material for the Fall weather). It didn’t register to me at the time that it completely showed off my curves, but it certainly registered with him! All of a sudden it was like he finally realized I was a woman. And so did I.
That moment was a turning point for me, with the final realization to come a few weeks later.
I was sitting in the library and studying for a chemistry exam. Seeing that I absolutely despised that class, it wasn’t long before I needed a break. I wandered over to the periodicals, and was surprised to find some fashion magazines in the stack. I grabbed a Vogue and (I think) Harper’s Bazaar and started to go through them.
Now, you have to understand—I never looked at fashion magazines. I couldn’t have cared less about what the latest styles were or who was wearing what. It didn’t hold the slightest interest for me. Until that day.
As I flipped through the pages of Vogue, I came across these images and my world was turned upside down.
Georgina Grenville for GUCCI A/W 1996, Photographer: Mario Testino
Many, many times a photo really does speak louder than words, and in this case, these images spoke to me. They were sexy. Alluring. Confident. Sophisticated.
They were everything I was not.
And while staring at that gorgeous dress, I suddenly realized that they were everything I wanted to be. That was where the bodysuit had come from—I had grown tired of hiding who I was but didn’t realize it. All it took to open my eyes was one comment—and one dress.
I went home and completely gutted my closet, got rid of the baggiest of the clothing, and started working on finding my real style. I started working on finding me.
I think each of us has had those moments—whether it was an image we loved, a moment with a friend of relative, a celebrity whose style we gushed over, or a random stranger we passed on the street—each of us has had a moment (or two) that inspired our love for fashion and design. These were mine.
And that, my friends, is how my love for Tom Ford and his designs began.
Today, many years later, I am still just as enthralled by the images above as I was on that fateful day in the library. So in honor of Mr. Ford, and his part in making me the fashion-lover I am today, I hope you’ll take a trip down memory lane with me and see why the Tom Ford Era at the House of GUCCI will, forever, be the era of my dreams.
1995
Amber Valletta for GUCCI A/W 1995, photographer: Mario Testino
1996
GUCCI Ad Campaign S/S 1996, Photographer: Mario Testino
GUCCI Ad Campaign S/S 1996, Photographer: Mario Testino
Georgina Grenville for GUCCI A/W 1996, Photographer: Mario Testino
Georgina Grenville for GUCCI A/W 1996, Photographer: Mario Testino
Georgina Grenville for GUCCI A/W 1996, Photographer: Mario Testino
Georgina Grenville for GUCCI A/W 1996, Photographer: Mario Testino
1997
GUCCI Ad Campaign, S/S 1997, Photographer: Mario Testino
GUCCI Ad Campaign, A/W 1997, Photographer: Mario Testino
1998
Erin Cummings for GUCCI S/S 1998, Photographer: Louis Sanchis
Erin Cummings for GUCCI S/S 1998, Photographer: Louis Sanchis
Bridget Hall for GUCCI A/W 1998, Photographer: Steven Klein (image via Style Registry)
1999
Jacquetta Wheeler and Liisa Winkler for GUCCI Ad Campaign, S/S 1999, Photographer: Mario Testino
Jacquetta Wheeler for GUCCI Ad Campaign, A/W 1999, Photographer: Mario Testino
2000
GUCCI Ad Campaign, S/S 2000, Photographer: Mario Testino
GUCCI Ad Campaign, S/S 2000, Photographer: Mario Testino
Caroline Ribeiro for GUCCI Ad Campaign, F/W 2000, Photographer: Alexei Hay (Image via Style Registry)
Caroline Ribeiro for GUCCI Ad Campaign, F/W 2000, Photographer: Alexei Hay (image via Style Registry)
Mini Anden for GUCCI Ad Campaign, F/W 2000, Photographer: Alexei Hay (image via Style Registry)
2001
Kate Moss for GUCCI S/S 2001, Photographer: Inez Van Lamsweerde & Vinoodh Matadin (Image via Style Registry)
Kate Moss for GUCCI S/S 2001, Photographer: Inez Van Lamsweerde & Vinoodh Matadin (Image via Style Registry)
GUCCI Ad Campaign, F/W 2001, Photographer: Terry Richardson (Image via Style Registry)
2002
Rie Rasmussen for GUCCI S/S 2002, Photographer: Terry Richardson (Image via Style Registry)
Natalia Vodianova for GUCCI Ad Campaign, A/W 2002, Photographer: Mario Testino
Natalia Vodianova for GUCCI Ad Campaign, A/W 2002, Photographer: Mario Testino
2003
GUCCI Ad Campaign, S/S 2003, Photographer: Mario Testino
GUCCI Ad Campaign, S/S 2003, Photographer: Mario Testino
GUCCI Ad Campaign, S/S 2003, Photographer: Mario Testino
GUCCI Ad Campaign, S/S 2003, Photographer: Mario Testino
Dewi Driegen for GUCCI Ad Campaign, A/W 2003, Photographer: Mario Testino
Nadine Willis for GUCCI Ad Campaign, A/W 2003, Photographer: Mario Testino
2004
Although I have a special place in my heart for GUCCI A/W 1996, I will always, always, ALWAYS say that 2004 was my favorite year of the House of GUCCI. These designs are just breathtaking. Sleek. Sexy. Modern. Romantic. Tom Ford doesn’t just design for women – he celebrates them. No where is that more evident than in these, his final, GUCCI collections.
Hana Soukupova for GUCCI S/S 2004, Photographer: Mario Testino
Hana Soukupova for GUCCI S/S 2004, Photographer: Mario Testino
Daria Werbowy for GUCCI A/W 2004, Photographer: Mario Testino
Daria Werbowy for GUCCI A/W 2004, Photographer: Mario Testino
Daria Werbowy for GUCCI A/W 2004, Photographer: Mario Testino
Daria Werbowy for GUCCI A/W 2004, Photographer: Mario Testino
…and just for fun…
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Seriously, what is their NOT to love?! Pure genius.
Thank you, Mr. Ford. I owe it all mostly to you.
Now, tell me, how were you first introduced to Mr. Ford’s work?
