Following on the heels of Kanye West’s Yeezy Season 4 spectacular on Wednesday afternoon, designer-slash-filmmaker Tom Ford made his return to the runway after a one-season hiatus, during which he showcased his collection via a short film starring Lady Gaga.
The whole shebang took place at what’s left of the legendary Four Seasons hotel restaurant on East 52nd Street in Manhattan, and included not just a fashion show, but also cocktails, dinner and a live performance by Leon Bridges. Ford, who was in Venice just days ago to premiere his new film Nocturnal Animals starring Amy Adams and Jake Gyllenhaal, also pulled some Hollywood antics for the show. THR’s current cover star enlisted a Golden Globes cameraman to film the event with 22 cameras, so fans live-streaming the presentation on TomFord.com had a fantastic view.
“I’ve got to create something online that’s interesting,” he told THR’s Booth Moore on Tuesday. Ford is one of several designers also testing the see-now, buy-now strategy this season, meaning the collection was immediately available online and in stores.
Watch the show below:
The Guests
Considering Ford’s loyal Hollywood fan base, it came as no surprise that models, actors and musicians alike would turn out for the show. First up, Karlie Kloss, who was spotted in a silver halter gown. She was merely a guest, not a catwalker, for the evening.
Hi Karlie! Look who I found on the stairway going into #TomFord #NYFW @karliekloss pic.twitter.com/wqxaa2T7qN
— @Booth (@Booth) September 7, 2016
Neil Patrick Harris, Ari Emanuel, Barry Diller, Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson were also among the guests to arrive at the venue late Wednesday night. “I’ve tried to come to anything that I can of Tom’s so it’s really a pleasure to be here,” Wilson told Moore. “And the best part is, if I like it I can buy it tomorrow!”
A-LIST: From left: Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson; David Burtka and Neil Patrick Harris; Rande Gerber and Cindy Crawford (Photos: Getty Images)
Jon Hamm, Uma Thurman and Cindy Crawford showed up shortly after. “When you wear it you just feel good,” said Hamm of wearing Ford’s luxurious tuxes. “I’ve been fortunate enough to be dressed by Tom for several events that come with their own kind of stress levels built in, so when you feel like you look good and you’re comfortable, it makes it that much easier.” He added, “And he just makes bodies look good!”
Crawford, who arrived wearing a low-cut white halter dress with husband Rande Gerber, remarked of Gina Gershon’s liquid sequin sheath dress. “I actually bought that a couple months ago. It’s a good thing I didn’t wear it tonight!”
CHIC SHEATH: Gina Gershon in a liquid sequin sheath dress, which Cindy Crawford also bought herself. (Photos: Getty Images)
Hailee Steinfeld, Julianne Moore, Anna Wintour and Alicia Keys also arrived throughout the evening.
The Venue
Ford selected the recently shuttered Four Seasons Hotel restaurant in Manhattan as the backdrop for the show, and pulled out all the stops.
First course @TOMFORD #NYFW show Yum! pic.twitter.com/Rh2Ab7T5Wl
— @Booth (@Booth) September 8, 2016
The Show
Much like at an awards show, cameras panned to faces in the crowd (Julianne Moore, Lauren Hutton and Neil Patrick Harris included) for reactions during the production. Models hit the catwalk four at a time, until the evening looks were shown near the end, at which point each had the runway to herself.
Twirling and posing: style of @TOMFORD show very old school runway #NYFW pic.twitter.com/2bzbzqLyC9
— @Booth (@Booth) September 8, 2016
The collection itself featured sexy looks emphasizing animal prints, liquid sequins and that signature Tom Ford fierce sensuality.
The Models
Familiar faces included Binx Walton, Gigi Hadid and Lucky Blue Smith. Some even mingled with guests post-show.
The models come to mingle apres show @TOMFORD #NYFW pic.twitter.com/TGJXBmgQOC
— @Booth (@Booth) September 8, 2016
The Music
Ford played tunes from Alicia Keys — who was in the audience — (“Fallin“), Annie Lennox (“I Put a Spell on You”), Cruel Youth (“Diamond Days”) and Florence + The Machine (“Stand by Me”).
Following the show, Leon Bridges serenaded the crowd with his swingy hits “Coming Home,” “Brown Skin Girl,” and “Smooth Sailin‘.”
Love Leon Bridges — getting us swinging @TOMFORD #NYFW pic.twitter.com/avA34nB7UL
— @Booth (@Booth) September 8, 2016
