While everyone else is busy telling us what we'll be wearing/using/doing in Spring/Summer 2017, Tom Ford presented his 'See Now, Buy Now' concept at New York Fashion Week with a presentation over dinner at the Four Seasons. The difference? It all goes on sale TODAY, 8th September, so we can busy ourselves worrying about what we'll be wearing now. His Social Immediacy legacy was beautiful from perfectly groomed brow to toe. This is what backstage at #TFAW16 looked like
Tom Ford was one of the first designers to adopt the 'See now, Buy now' idea, (along with Tommy Hilfiger and Burberry), meaning the menswear and womenswear lines are shown together, and are immediately for sale following the show. In Tom Ford's case, so is the capsule beauty collection - featuring a fragrance inspired by the AW16 runway - and we got a first look backstage.
Pat McGrath gave the models an 'as real as possible' look using the collection. Skin was dewy - easily achievable by mixing a drop of waterproof foundation concealer (out October 3rd) mixed with moisturiser , and highlighted with Illuminating Primer. Next the blush, Love Lust, was swept gently across the cheeks, only if the girls needed a little extra colour, and a 'perfectly groomed, fabulous brow' was buffed in with Tom Ford brow powder.
The eyes were a mix of Eye Colour Duo in shade AW16, picked up on the same brush and smudged across the socket line, then a little black mascara wiggled into roots only for a subtle definition.
Lips were pale, 'a fresh, natural nude' with the AW16 Lip Contour Duo and - we'd imagine - a finishing spritz of Ombré Leather 16 fragrance in a leather refillable atomiser. All of which debuted for the first time in stores internationally today, 8th September. How to? We tried it out for you, naturally.
Sam McKnight flew in especially for the Tom Ford show and created two distinct looks. If the girls had a natural texture in the hair ('Tom loved all the girls with naturally curly hair') Sam went with it and emphasised the curls. 'It's not a hippy natural, its a shaped, architectural curl. Same with the boys'. Otherwise it was a sleek 'masculine baby bun' with a deep side part, and any frizz tamed with a bit of hairspray and a toothbrush. We watched him demo on Amber Valletta and then scoured the room for other favourites. Carolyn Murphy, Mica Arganaraz, Gigi Hadid, Binx, Daphne Groeneveld and Lineisy Montero were among those happy to take our phones for selfies, and then, sigh, there was Lucky Blue Smith.
On the way out we watched Zayn Malik, Alicia Keyes and Naomi Campbell go in, where Inez and Vinoodh took portraits until dinner was served. This was a different kind of show.
Tom Ford knows how to turn the fashion world on its head. Immediately-available-hats off to him. #TFAW16
