If you happen to follow me on twitter you probably saw the barrage of TOM FORD related tweets about tonight’s runway show at London Fashion Week. If there was any doubt that designer Tom Ford has truly decided to put the secretive days of fashion presentations behind him, the elaborate display at Lancaster House in St. James Palace put that to rest. As guests approached the larger-than-life venue they were teased with just a hint of the decadence that awaited them inside.
Even though there was no livestream of the show (to the dismay of fans worldwide), the non-stop tweets and instagram photos illustrated first hand that this show was unlike all others. There was no ban on photography. No secret agreements to sign. This was full access TOM FORD and the world was able to see the looks at the same time as attendees thanks to the internet. There is even some video available (First looks, Mashup, Coats and fringe, Tom Ford bow) thanks to @TeleFashion!
The show descriptor found on each seat in Lancaster House read “Cross Cultural Multi Ethnic” and hinted at what was to come. This collection is a departure from the predominantly neutral TOM FORD palette that we have grown accustomed to the last few seasons. Sure, we’ve seen some jewel tones in almost every collection since his first eponymous offering but this is different. This is beyond jewel tones… this is technicolor. Bold. Brash. Bright.
And it’s signature TOM FORD sexy.
Lace. Animal print. Beading. Furs.
Fringe. I love the fringe.
Love.
It’s opulent and decadent.
It’s over-the-top and fun.
It’s pure TOM FORD and it’s anything but simple.
“Cross cultural and multi ethnic… that’s what the world is,” said Ford after the show. And that is exactly what this collection is.
I’ve already heard some people saying that they feel like this collection is too over the top. Vulgar even. The thing is, this is how TOM FORD does runway. Last year, Tom Ford told Grazia Magazine “when you do a runway show you have to amp things up in a way so that they read from a great distance – so that they are designed for photography rather than for a consumer. So you can exaggerate things to the point where they don’t actually function in real life for most peoples’ lives.” This show most definitely meets those requirements! This collection wasn’t what I expected from TOM FORD…. which is exactly why it is so perfect for his return to the runway.
Taken as it was presented today… in its full runway regalia, I can see how it could be a bit much. But if you take a look at the individual elements and I think you’ll find yourself thinking positive thoughts. Look at the detail. The beading. The lace.
Take a deeper look at the images below and share your thoughts in the comments below!
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The venue: Lancaster House in St. James Palace (Image via http://www.france24.com) -
Welcoming committee, TOM FORD style! (Image via http:instagram.com/aquazzura_edgardoosorio) -
Inside Lancaster House (Image via http://instagram.com/emmanueltalia/) -
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A model waits backstage before the Tom Ford show during the 2013 Autumn/Winter London Fashion Week in London on February 18, 2013. AFP PHOTO/ANDREW COWIEANDREW COWIE/AFP/Getty Images -
Models waiting to hit the runway (Image via http://twitter.com/natalieDPowell) -
Photo by Giovanni Giannoni via WWD -
Photo by Giovanni Giannoni via WWD -
Image via W Magazine -
Photo by Giovanni Giannoni via WWD -
Image via http://uk.lifestyle.yahoo.com -
Photo by Giovanni Giannoni via WWD -
Photo by Giovanni Giannoni via WWD -
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Photo by Giovanni Giannoni via WWD -
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Photo by Giovanni Giannoni via WWD -
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Imge via http://twitter.com/ed_loko -
Photo by Giovanni Giannoni via WWD -
Image via W Magazine -
Image via http://twitter.com/helenseamons -
Image via @TeleFashion (http://twitter.com/TeleFashion) -
Image via W Magazine -
Photo by Giovanni Giannoni via WWD -
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Photo by Giovanni Giannoni via WWD -
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Photo by Giovanni Giannoni via WWD -
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Photo by Giovanni Giannoni via WWD -
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Photo by Giovanni Giannoni via WWD -
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Photo by Giovanni Giannoni via WWD -
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Photo by Giovanni Giannoni via WWD -
Image via @TeleFashion (http://twitter.com/TeleFashion) -
Photo by Giovanni Giannoni via WWD -
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Photo by Giovanni Giannoni via WWD -
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Image via http://instagram.com/justintimberlake -
Photo by Giovanni Giannoni via WWD -
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Photo by Giovanni Giannoni via WWD -
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Photo by Giovanni Giannoni via WWD -
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Image via @TeleFashion (http://twitter.com/TeleFashion) -
Image via http://instagram.com/nickvinson/ -
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Photo by Giovanni Giannoni via WWD -
Image via W Magazine -
Image via http://twitter.com/VogueParis -
Image via www.thetimes.co.uk -
Image via W Magazine -
Photo by Giovanni Giannoni via WWD -
Photo by Giovanni Giannoni via WWD -
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Image via http://twitter.com/VogueParis -
Image via http://instagram.com/danaavidancohn/ -
Photo by Giovanni Giannoni via WWD -
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Photo by Giovanni Giannoni via WWD -
Image via W Magazine -
Photo by Giovanni Giannoni via WWD -
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Photo by Giovanni Giannoni via WWD -
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Image via www.thetimes.co.uk -
Image via http://uk.lifestyle.yahoo.com -
Photo by Giovanni Giannoni via WWD -
Image via W Magazine -
Image via www.thetimes.co.uk -
Photo by Giovanni Giannoni via WWD -
Image via http://journalstar.com -
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Image via http://instagram.com/nickvinson/ -
Image via http://instagram.com/brentyb10022 -
Photo by Giovanni Giannoni via WWD -
Image via W Magazine -
Image via @TeleFashion (http://twitter.com/TeleFashion) -
Photo by Giovanni Giannoni via WWD -
Image via W Magazine -
Image via www.thetimes.co.uk -
Photo by Giovanni Giannoni via WWD -
Image via W Magazine -
Photo by Giovanni Giannoni via WWD -
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Photo by Giovanni Giannoni via WWD -
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Image via http://twitter.com/Lucy_Yeomans -
Photo by Giovanni Giannoni via WWD -
Image via W Magazine -
Jonathan Short/Invision, via Jonathan Short, via Invision, via Associated Press -
Image via W Magazine -
Photo by Giovanni Giannoni via WWD -
Image via http://twitter.com/VogueParis -
Image via www.thetimes.co.uk -
Image via W Magazine -
REUTERS/Suzanne Plunkett -
Photo by Giovanni Giannoni via WWD -
Image via http://uk.lifestyle.yahoo.com -
Photo by Giovanni Giannoni via WWD -
Image via W Magazine -
Image via http://www.straitstimes.com -
Image via http://twitter.com/helenseamons -
Image via Getty Images -
Image via W Magazine -
Photo by Giovanni Giannoni via WWD -
Image via http://instagram.com/vogueaustralia -
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - FEBRUARY 18: Designer Tom Ford walks the runway at the Tom Ford show during London Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2013/14 at on February 18, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by Eamonn McCormack/Getty Images) -
Image via http://www.thetimes.co.uk -
Image via http://www.ctpost.com -
Image via http://twitter.com/unionmodels -
@marhunt: ❤ this one @arizona_muse miss ya @elizabeth_lg x backstage #tomFord (image via http://instagram.com/marhunt/) -
@emmanueltalia: Models backstage with warm smokey eye makeup at Tom Ford (image via http://instagram.com/emmanueltalia/) -
@ctilburymakeup: The stunning @joansmalls backstage at Tom Ford! #ctfw (image via http://instagram.com/ctilburymakeup/) -
Image via http://instagram.com/stefvanderlaan -
Image via http://instagram.com/ctilburymakeup/ -
@liyakebede: With the beautiful @kiarainc #backstage #TomFord (via http://instagram.com/liyakebede/) -
Image via http://instagram.com/ctilburymakeup/ -
@anja_rubik: Backstage at #tomford with Lilly (via http://instagram.com/anja_rubik/) -
image via http://instagram.com/ctilburymakeup/ -
Image via http://instagram.com/natashabarker_cnd
All images sourced in slideshow
3 comments… add one
Tweet Me: @convenientbeaut Feb 19, 2013
Unexpected and amazed, in a good way! I love 1/3 of the collection and it’s all on the neutral, simple details and structure cut! Same old me eh? While I don’t think I ever have the condition to wear his clothes, I spot many pieces that can be incorporated well into every day life. It’s over the top and yes opulent but it feels refreshing.
JoanneP recently posted…Tom Ford blushes swatches – Lovelust, Flush, Savage, Ravish, Narcissist
What is minimalist? THIS is everything. I love it. And I love how the TOM FORD brand is evolving, from a design standpoint as well as a presentation standpoint (yay, no more secrecy!). While I understand where people would be coming from in saying it’s over-the-top (although ‘vulgar’, seriously?), I don’t quite get the mentality. But different strokes for different folks. For me, personally, I’m not in a position to be able to afford the brand so I’m not looking for wearability. I’m looking for expression, seduction; the decadence of art. What he said about making the collection “read from a distance” is, in my opinion, exactly what makes runway such a fascinating enterprise. It’s not about getting to see the clothes right away (okay, it’s kind of about that), but more than anything I think we gravitate to runway for the inspiration, for the mood the designers set. We not only get to see the clothes, we get to explore a scene in which the designer has translated his vision. That’s just really cool to me. (:
Sure, it’s over the top and in your face, but I can totally see some of these cuts in other fabrics for everyday use. And those short jackets with the asymmetric front flap? They’re fantastic as they are. I love love love the blue skirt and boots in pics 9 to 11!