Shimmering stars: Beyoncé on the catwalk at Tom Ford's debut womenswear show in a python pattern sequin evening gown, and British model Stella Tennant (right) in a sequin mother of pearl jacketHis womenswear collection has been one of the most highly-anticipated fashion launches in recent years.
So fashionistas were understandably frustrated when Tom Ford banned almost all media from his catwalk show.
The gossip mill went into overdrive as rumours circulated about how Beyoncé and Julianne Moore shared the catwalk with Lauren Hutton and Stella Tennant.
Now, just weeks before the collection hits stores, images have finally been released.
The shots, posted on the Harper's Bazaar website, show superstar singer Beyoncé walking the runway in an embroidered fishnet and python-pattern sequin evening gown and fishnet boots.
Actress Lauren Hutton, 67, was also among Ford's chosen models and showcased a silk and viscose trouser suit, oversized crepe de chine top, crocodile pumps, and a fedora with feather trim.
The Brits were well-represented too, by socialite Daphne Guinness, who looked every inch the couture queen she is, in a leopard-print sequin and lace evening dress, silk ottoman fringed evening coat, and feather and lace heels, while Stella Tennant wore a sequin mother of pearl jacket, georgette blouse and skirt, and hammered silver and pearl necklace, with a feathered clutch.
Also walking in front of the 100-strong audience at the Tom Ford Madison Avenue flagship store, was actress Julianne Moore, Amber Valletta, Natalia Vodianova and Karen Elson.
Guest appearances: Daphne Guinness looked every inch the couture queen in a leopard-print sequin and lace evening dress. She was joined by Lauren Hutton, 67, who wore a trouser suit and feather-trimmed fedoraPlans to show the collection were so secret, that even his star-studded cast of models didn't even know they were due to walk the catwalk until they arrived, as Moore revealed to Vogue last month.
'I thought we’d just all be standing around at a cocktail or something. So when I got there and he said we had to walk, I said, "Holy cow!"'
In an interview with Harper's Bazaar, published next week, Ford, 49, explained his choice of models, who he introduced as 'the world's most inspirational women'.
‘The women [in my show] don’t change their look from day to day. They have figured out who they are – that’s what makes you iconic, by the way. Figure out who you are, figure out what you like, figure out what you look good in.’
Under wraps: Tom Ford appears in the latest issue of Vogue's U.S. edition, where he presents a first glimpse of his debut womenswear collection, which launches worldwide next monthHe also talked about how fashion was ageless now - that there were no limitations for older women who want to continue to look stylish.
‘There used to be a look for women who were older,' he said.
'You didn’t wear certain things, you did your hair a certain way – but today, 70-year-old women who keep themselves together want to look just like their 25 [year-old] counterparts.’
Ford himself starred in a photo shoot by Steven Meisel for the December issue of U.S. Vogue, posing alongside some of the same models that appeared in his show, including British supers Karen Elson and Stella Tennant.
In the accompanying interview he explained why he decided to keep the collection so secret.
'I do not understand everyone’s need to see everything online the day after a show,' he told the magazine.
Fashion must-haves: The collection will only be sold via his menswear boutiques for now, and features classic pieces that, Ford hopes, his customers will treasure for years to come'I don’t think it ultimately serves the customer, which is the whole point of my business—not to serve journalists or the fashion system.
To put something out that’s going to be in a store in six months, and to see it on a starlet, ranked in US magazine next week? My customer doesn’t want to wear the same thing she saw on a starlet!'
The collection itself, which will cost from £2,900 to £22,000 and will only be sold via his sixteen menswear boutiques for now, referenced the Seventies, with classic pieces that, Ford hopes, his customers will treasure for years.
'It’s about individuality. Real clothes, real women. For a fashionable woman aged 25 to 75. That’s why I literally put many of my own muses in the show. I hear them say, "God, I can’t find that anywhere!"
'I want this to be somewhere a woman knows she can go when she wants a great jacket—not a fake expensive jacket, something that has intrinsic value.
'I don’t think fashion has to change every five minutes.I’d like these to be clothes you can wear for a long time—ten, 20 years; pass on to your daughter. Why buy vintage when you can open your own closet!'
Ford, who famously revived the fortunes of Gucci in the Nineties, and received critical acclaim for his first film, A Single Man, starring Colin Firth, launched his self-named menswear line three years ago.
He went on to enjoy huge success with his women's fragrances, eyewear and lipsticks, but until this year, whispers of a womenswear line had remained unfounded.
Now, Ford hopes that by financially backing the company himself, he will become one of fashion's biggest players.
'What I want is the freedom to say, I really like fashion and I’m going to come back my way and never have some corporate person say: "But you can’t do it that way."
'My goal is to be like Armani and Chanel.'
The full interview with Tom Ford appears in the January issue of Harper's Bazaar UK, out December 6. Full images from the show are at harpersbazaar.co.uk
source: dailymail
