Lesson 1: Fashion Shapes Lives
I have always idolized fashion designers, and I love learning about them—how they got into fashion and what it means to their lives. I recently read the interview in the front of Tom Ford’s first famous coffee table book, and it really struck me how life can take a turn when you least expect it.
I know we all have done things that run amok of our plan for our lives. Tom Ford went to Parsons in NYC to study Environmental Design. He then moved to Paris and continued his studies. Along the way, he became interested in fashion. If he had changed his major, he would have had to start over, so he took all the fashion electives he could. This changed his direction, leading him to become one of the most successful, honored, and revered American designers in the world.
He wanted to go into the fashion industry to “make women beautiful.” He became the Gucci womenswear designer in 1990, working hard at it for four years until earning the title of Creative Director in 1994. Tom Ford literally brought Gucci back to life amid the drama of the Gucci family. His transformation of Gucci back into one of the most revered and respected fashion houses in the world happened in the '90s and was nothing short of iconic.
In 1999, Gucci acquired YSL, and he became the Creative Director of Yves St Laurent as well. Tom Ford, the label, was born in 2005, launching him into the fashion stratosphere.
The following is my favorite quote from Tom Ford:
“Fashion is a luxury, just like steak or caviar or champagne. It sounds frivolous, but within our world, enjoying life and feeling good about yourself, looking down at your feet and getting a little rush of excitement because your shoes look fabulous, on some level that becomes important. It adds something to your life. That’s the power of fashion. It’s there to be enjoyed.”
I wholeheartedly agree with Mr. Ford and truly believe fashion can be very powerful—it should be enjoyed just like we enjoy art.
Go and dress for the day you want to have, ladies!
Kristen Davis
