Fashion has always reflected current events in pop culture, and often stirred its direction. So, it is no surprise that in an age where civility is out of the window, and lack of inclusion and diversity has become the “trend du jour,” fashion reminds us to dial it all the way down and return to the basics.
This true and tested reminder is precisely what Tom Ford adopted as his central message as the iconic designer kicked off New York Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2019, on September 5, 2018, with a collection that was introspective, classic, and a return to the true essence of fashion i.e. create beauty in the world, especially where it is lacking.
“I became a designer because I wanted to make men and women feel more beautiful and to empower them with a feeling of confidence. A feeling of knowing that they looked their best and could then present their best selves to the world. I wanted to make clothes that were flattering. That make one look taller and slimmer and more beautiful or more handsome,” explained Ford in his show notes.
This he did in a highly charged political climate that does everything but make men and women feel good about themselves. Ford sent models down the runway with head wraps reminiscent of a modern-day hijab seen on Muslim women that communicated beauty, confidence, relevance and inclusion. He juxtaposed hard and soft fabrics birthing jackets, dresses, tops, and bottoms, that say to its wearer, “of course you can be hard and soft. The two are not mutually exclusive and in fact you need that balance.”
He kept colors neutral with the use of a lot of nudes, whites, gray, blacks, and caramel, which helped to ensure his message of balance, inclusion, beauty, and a harmonious co-existence of two diametrically opposed things/situations was not lost in translation.
Ford’s return to his purpose for why he creates fashion is just the right temperament and tone for this season’s fashion week.
Watch his Spring/Summer 2019 collection.
Photo Credit: Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images North America
Founded in 2007, Ladybrille® Magazine is a California based pioneer digital publication demystifying the image of Africans in the west through contemporary African fashion and celebrating the brilliant woman in business and leadership, with an emphasis on the African woman in the diaspora. Our coverage includes stories on capital, access to markets, expertise, hiring and retention, sales, marketing, and promotions.
