THE EVER GREAT TOM FORD’s LAST COLLECTION

When the great Tom Ford launched his women’s ready-to-wear collection back in September 2010, the excitement was palpable. I remember eagerly anticipating an invitation to the show, but unfortunately, I was not one of the lucky 100 to receive one. The FOMO was real, especially as I watched a few of those who did get an invitation make a mad dash for the exit before the finale of the show.

What made the show even more unforgettable was Ford’s unprecedented decision to ban photography, which was unheard of at the time. This was before Instagram and the prevalence of camera phones, so the lack of visual assets made the event even more exclusive and glamorous. The show was attended by A-list celebrities such as Beyoncé, Julianne Moore, and Lauren Hutton, who even walked the runway instead of sitting in the front row.

Since then, Ford has continued to innovate in the fashion industry. He was one of the first American designers to experiment with a see-now, buy-now schedule in 2016, and he also pioneered the Oscar-time L.A. show back in 2015. However, he has since sold his company to Estée Lauder in a $2.8 billion deal and has opted for a low-key farewell, releasing an Archive collection of his greatest hits instead of a final runway show.

Looking back at his iconic designs triggers many red carpet memories, such as Gwyneth Paltrow’s stunning white column gown and attached cape from the 2012 Oscars, Zendaya’s hot pink molded breastplate and fluid skirt from the first season of Euphoria, and Rihanna’s stretch sequin and mesh dress on the cover of Vogue in 2016.

As the fashion and Hollywood worlds continue to intersect, it’s a shame that Ford is stepping away. However, we can look forward to watching his cinematic vision unfold on the big screen in the future. For his spring 2022 return to the runway post-pandemic, Ford reflected on the impact of social media on fashion and emphasized the importance of bold and photogenic clothes. As we say goodbye to an era, we can’t wait to see what the future holds for Tom Ford and his iconic designs.