Inside the Star-Studded Tom Ford Fashion Show in Los Angeles
When Tom Ford brings a show to Los Angeles, he brings the high fashion vibes of New York and mixes it perfectly with the star power of Hollywood. Of course, there were plenty of luxe velvet designs and jaw-dropping gowns to boot.
After making the surprising decision to move his show from New York City to the City of Angels during New York Fashion Week, the famed designer kicked off the debut of his Autumn/Winter 2020 collection with a chic, star-studded show at Milk Studios in Los Angeles.
As the cocktail hour began, Kylie Jenner stepped inside the venue wearing a Tom Form body-hugging metallic mini dress. The beauty mogul gave a big hug to Ciara, who was wearing a sleek black dress and walking hand-in-hand with Russell Wilson. And that was just the beginning of the celebrity entrances.
Kate Hudson arrived soon after, baring her abs in a metallic green bra top, and embraced Renée Zellwegger, who stepped out in a black lace Tom Ford skirt topped with a bow. "It's nice to be represented, and for L.A. to have a fashion representation," Hudson told InStyle, as Kris Jenner, who arrived with Kylie and her boyfriend, Corey Gamble, chimed in. "We're sitting here, and I just looked across the aisle and saw Anna Wintour, so here we are. It's legit."
Inside, attendees strolled along the mirrored runway to their seats, with Jennifer Lopez, Miley Cyrus, Demi Moore, Rumer Willis, Hunter Schafer, Lisa Bonet, Jon Hamm, and many more sitting in the front row. J.Lo cozied up with Alex Rodriguez in a plunging black peplum dress topped with a diamond choker while model Taylor Hill sat nearby in a velvet blazer. Cyrus walked over to hug Moore and Willis, and Tracee Ellis Ross stole the show in a black dress topped with pops of color.
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"I'm wearing the Kapow dress," she told InStyle, before leaning back with a big smile to show off the sequined embellishments on it. She went on to recall her fave Tom Ford look of all time. "The monochromatic velvet suits were just beyond," she said. "They will forever be etched in my heart."
Moore, who wore a black Tom Ford dress topped with a feathered vest, sang Ford's praises too, saying, "There's an elegance with Tom's clothes, but what I love the most – even in coming to this – is how much he wants people to wear the clothes as themselves. The thing that I get from him is that he doesn't want you to be a cookie-cutter of what's come down the runway. He wants you to interpret it to be you."
The actress and her daughter got ready together for the show, with Moore saying their Tom Ford pre-game was "so fun," and Willis adding that as they've hit the town recently, they've tried to coordinate their looks. "We've been going out together and doing mother-daughter days, and finding ways to subtly play off each other, which I always think is super fun."
There were so many longtime fans and friends of Ford in the room. Hudson told us her relationship with the fashion mogul began long ago, adding, "My history with Tom Ford goes back to Gucci and YSL, and I've been lucky enough to have him make me dresses that are pieces that I adore and will adore forever. He made me this Gucci dress once that was purple and had this 60s pattern. It was really short. It had these amazing rhinestones all over it. It was incredible."
"Do you save all of them?" Kris Jenner, who was sitting by her side, asked. "Yes! I archive all of them," Hudson said with a smile. "Good girl," Jenner replied. "I'm proud."
Soon, the lights dimmed, and attendees gasped and applauded as models, including Kendall Jenner, Gigi Hadid, and Bella Hadid, strutted down the runway in stunning look after look. The looks were full of pops of color, elegant prints, and luxe velvet blazers and skirts.
Frazer Harrison/Getty Images
The collection was infused with a glitzy '70s flair with Ford often pairing the extravagant pieces in it with sweatshirts or t-shirts, calling the feel of it "very L.A." in a press release. The Fugees "Killing Me Softly" set the mood as Ford's shimmery and lacey gowns came down the runway. Bella shut the show down in one of the most risque pieces of the night – a completely sheer dress topped with velvet bows.
"That was amazing. So Tom Ford," Ciara told us as she and Wilson headed out, followed by Lil Nas X, who danced out in a sequined cheetah-print suit. "The music, the vibe, that was amazing," he told a friend.
Before the night was over, guests grabbed last photos at a Tom Ford emblazoned white wall, and Wilson doubled as Ciara's photographer. "Your bump is growing babe," he said, as he snapped photos of her and she struck poses and blew a kiss.
Ford may be a staple during NYFW, but it's safe to say his shows have just as much of a home in L.A. And on the heels of Moschino and Rodarte's major LA shows, this may be the beginning of a new trend.
