Tom Ford gave a fascinating interview to GQ Magazine last month. After his husband's death (fashion journalist Richard Buckley) the erstwhile Gucci designer needed to have surgery for a knee injury. Before the procedure Mr Ford was asked for his emergency contact. He recalls: "I literally had no one. So I put my PA."
The apparently lonely world of Tom Ford always felt more exclusionary than aspirational to me, ever since he became celebrated for his Gucci revamp. The interview reveals what he expected from the models showing his nineties clothes: “When you walk down this runway, everyone in this room should want to fuck you. Everyone.”
Amber Valletta in Gucci
Although he adds that he "didn't do that same speech for the last five years, I can't say that to models anymore" it's hard to forget these were also the days when Harvey Weinstein was a celebrated film producer. A few paragraphs later Ford goes off on a tangent about how to make his manhood look bigger in underwear or clothes.
As much as Tom Ford's fashion aesthetic is memorable, it sounds like he's stuck in a moment. Another of his accomplishments is to be present at the birth of Kering (the fashion conglomerate he helped build to counter Bernard Arnault's LVMH) which has been in the news recently for having only white male creative directors leading its brands. Perhaps oblivious to the criticism, Ford explains he's just sold his eponymous company because fashion is "a younger man's game".
Enough of the men already! I would love a world in which women's fashion routinely is a younger woman's game. Or older, for that matter.
Hello from New York. I'm constantly craving new fashion content, and always wish there was more fashion for women by women. If I'm looking for more, there must be others.
She never gets old or boring
I'm doing my personal expat best to support the female fashion community here in New York City, with regular trips to the INA consignment shops founded by Ina Bernstein, Tibi's shop in Soho (designed by Amy Smilovic), my local J.Crew (designed by Olympia Gayot),
It's inspired me to put a Christmas wish list together to support female design in 2023.
Tibi textured Victor slingbacks in gold or silver, here
Métier handbag, here
Aeyde boots, here
Khaite jeans, here
Completedworks rings, here
Dior jacket, here
lemlem bathing suit, here
Sandy Liang shoes, here
Loquet customisable charm necklace, here
Totême jumper, here
Wales Bonner x Adidas tracksuit and trainers, here
Stella McCartney blazer, here
La DoubleJ plates, here
Lots of love from New York,
xxx Dianne
