12 Things We Learned From Tom Ford
In honor of the legendary designer's birthday today...
Secrecy Builds Intrigue
The designer invited only 100 people to view his Spring 2011 collection, which was held in his Madison Avenue menswear store instead of Lincoln Centre. Beyonce, Daphne Guiness, Julianne Moore and more of his friends served as his models. Though they were photographed exclusively by Terry Richardson—those photos remained under wraps until Spring magazine issues hit.
The Answer Should Always Be Yes...
To whether or not you're wearing velvet. From his early collections at Gucci (including a red suit worn by Gwyneth Paltrow) to his most recent Fall runway, the ultra-luxe fabrication is a go-to for Ford.
Always Be Vacationing
Or at least smell like you are... Ford's wildly popular Neroli Portofino fragrances are inspired by the Italian Riviera, calling to mind sparkling blue waters and cool breezes.
Always Add a jacket
Ford told the New York Times, "I was born in a jacket. I was the only 3-year-old who walked around with a blazer folded over his arm." And we consider them words to live by.
Don't Bother with the Status Quo
The ever-provocative designer opted to move his most recent runway show from London to LA, during London Fashion Week, sending editors and stylists to their nearest airports the world over.
Know Your Brand
In an interview in 2004 in BAZAAR, Ford illustrates the difference between the Gucci and Yves Saint Laurent women: "They may both be beautiful and they may both be roughly the same age and they may both have money and they may both be sexually available. But the Gucci woman is sweeter, more na?ve. She may be like, 'You're a great guy, let's f*ck.' The Saint Laurent woman is more twisted, more perverse. She is going to tie you up and slap you around before she finally lets you have sex with her. And a lot of that doesn't come so much from Yves, it comes from all those provocative Helmut Newton pictures of YSL clothes from the '70s." And there you have it.
More is More
The revitalization of Ford's brand brought with it a maximalist aesthetic that challenged the reigning minimalism of the moment. Magpies like Rihanna were fully on-board for Fall 2013's sequin zebra dress.
Go for the Vamp
Ford launched beauty and quickly changed the game, making deep, dark berry hues a mainstay on fashionable nails everywhere.
Live by the Rule of 4
Four hours of sleep and four baths a day are the trick to being of sound mind and body, according to a recap of 24-hours with the designer.
Oui, Le Smoking
Ford delved into the Saint Laurent archives and brought Le Smoking back, in white, in his Spring 2001 show. When borrowing from the greats, make sure to put your own spin on it.
A Little Sex Appeal Goes a Long Way
Ford's aesthetic at Gucci was all about the sultry side. He wrangled Carine Roitfeld and Mario Testino to shoot the brand's very racy ad campaigns in 1995 and 1996—and the risk paid off. Gucci experienced an amazing 90% increase in sales during the era.
When In Doubt, Don a Cape
Arguably one of the best Oscar gowns of all time, Paltrow stole the show in Tom Ford a year when she wasn't even nominated. Such is the power of a dramatic dress.
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