‘Pussy Power.’ The catchy alliterationappeared in jewel-encrusted bold lettering on two handbags and a pair of shoes at Tom Ford’s FW’18 womenswear show, during New York Fashion Week, in the vast environs of the Park Avenue Armory. One couldn’t miss the not-so-subtle messaging, political and sexual, with just a tinge of vulgarity. But Ford has never been one the one who shies away. His second show (equally brilliant like the first) in 48 hours was shown inside the sophisticated grey theatre providing a calm counterpoint to his intensely exuberant clothes.
Tom Ford FW'18 Womenswear
Ford’s love for kitsch and his infatuation with the Disco era — as seen in the intricate workmanship of sequinned Pop Art cocktail dresses — put him on the map at Gucci, back in the day. His skill lay in balancing it with an appreciation of high luxury, and similarly in today’s collection, the net effect was an elegantly knowing, arch kind of power cool.
Tom Ford FW'18 Womenswear
There were a menagerie of genetically modified leopard prints, including a group of beaded leopard pantsuits in lurid shades of blood red and lime. A black mini dress worn with silver tights, crystal-heeled slingback mules and oversized diamanté hoops conjured an Andy Warhol-esque vibe. Two tailored suits came in bold colourations of acid green and crimson, followed by racy black jumpsuits with asymmetric cut-outs at the midriff. And nearly each and every look was accompanied by liquid metallic and flashy animal spot leggings. The hallmarks of a Tom Ford woman – she’s allergic to sobriety and subtlety, confident enough to kick your butt, and comes with a doze of fetishism. To that end, the designer co-opted for the logo of his signature and emblazoned it on a sweatshirt, hand-embroidered with iridescent sequins. The standout look: Joan Smalls, wearing a big cat faux fur overcoat with lamé leggings. Later, she changed into a leopard print cocktail dress in abbreviated tiers of flaming red silk chiffon.
Tom Ford FW'18 Womenswear
All the elements of the Ford oeuvre came together this time with, let’s say, a bang! Just the right amount of sex appeal with a touch of comic-book Beverly Hills vibe. And I think, the clothes – the colour, the glitz, the spandex – was an assertion, that no one treads on a woman’s right to decide what she may want to put on her body.
Tom Ford FW'18 Womenswear
The red carpet is where Tom Ford’s haute visibility is. And many celebrities still love a sexy, snazzy dress (or sexy, snazzy bodysuit with an attached skirt) that shows off the body. Literally and figuratively, the clothes sparkle with the crafts of couture — precision cuts, embroidery, intricate smocking — and they’re as hot as it gets. And in order to maintain that consistency, the designer designs his collections in L.A, he doesn't make it anywhere else. America, after all, is the land of the free, the land of the brave. Tom Ford is both. So was this collection.
Tom Ford FW'18 Womenswear
Tom Ford FW'18 Womenswear
Tom Ford FW'18 Womenswear
Tom Ford FW'18 Womenswear 
