Tom Ford always does things his way — and he has the clout to do it. The mercurial designer/film director got a jump on New York Fashion Week by debuting his spring/summer 2018 collection September 6, ahead of the official start on September 7.
A glam celebrity crowd, including a platinum blonde Kim Kardashian, Chaka Khan, and Julianne Moore, occupied the front row at the Park Avenue Armory and stayed around for a big party that recalled Ford's heyday at Gucci and Saint Laurent in the '90s as well as the disco '70s, as shirtless waiters in short shorts, knee-high tube socks, and sneakers dressed like Studio 54 club kids while DJ Virgil Abloh spun tunes.
Most everyone raved that the whole affair was "Fucking Fabulous," which just happens to be the racy name of Ford's new limited-edition fragrance, which launched September 7 in his boutiques, including his Houston River Oaks District and Dallas Highland Park Village stores. It retails for $310 for the 50-milliliter bottle and $495 for the atomizer.
"You hear [fuck] on television all the time. In a way it’s lost its edge, but nobody had put it on a bottle of perfume," Ford said in an interview with Business of Fashion. "You know, one day I said, 'Oh my god, this is fucking fabulous.' And I thought, 'Why don’t we just call it that?'"
"And it is a good fragrance. It is fucking fabulous."
The show was vintage Tom Ford. Nighttime looks alternated between long and short, from glamorous to-the-floor red carpet gowns with sequined sleeves to micro mini-dresses in bold shades that resembled long tunics rather than short dresses. Some evening looks were topped off with a satin tuxedo jacket with big lapels and even bigger shoulders.
For daytime, the Tom Ford look is super casual, with athletic baseball jackets; crinkly, colorful track suits with drawstring waists; cargo pants with a U-shaped maillot or crisp navy double-breasted blazer; rolled-up short shorts; and belted trench coats.
"Women’s daytime clothes have evaporated ... They wear jeans, a T-shirt, a cool jacket, and a great pair of shoes," Ford told BoF. "Evening, however ... is mega."
Among the celebs at the Tom Ford show was a platinum blonde Kim Kardashian.
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Starcleaner Reunion singer Jo Roman keeps the beat.Photo by Brianna Caleri
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The tinsel whip was one of many props.Photo by Brianna Caleri
The Flaming Lips are known for touring with huge inflatables.Photo by Brianna Caleri
A joyful crowd reacts to being blasted with confetti during the Flaming Lips' set.Photo by Brianna Caleri
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Thomas Attar Bellier of Al-Qasar plays a beautifully adorned electric saz.Photo by Brianna Caleri
The more mics, the better for Al-Qasar.Photo by Brianna Caleri
A closer look at the saz.Photo by Brianna Caleri
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A portal opens...Photo by Brianna Caleri
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Black Angels bassist Misti Hamrick-French basks in the cold glow of a strobe light.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Dumbo Gets Mad reminds us that Italians just get fashion.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Guitarist Luca Bergomi gets in on bassist Ivan Torelli's shot.Photo by Brianna Caleri
LA LOM bassist Jake Faulkner captures the sun.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Guitarist Zac Sokolow danced for the whole set, which happened to be on his birthday.Photo by Brianna Caleri
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Faulkner's howls cut through the air, hardly amplified.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Trish Toledo paid homage to mothers and couples in her romantic set.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Not a practical shoe for a rainy weekend. We salute her sacrifice for fashion.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Thee Sacred Souls closed out the festival with a brass section.Photo by Brianna Caleri
This backup singer was exquisitely styled in blue.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Singer Josh Lane snapped a photo of an adoring audience. See you next time, Josh.Photo by Brianna Caleri