First look: Tom Ford’s womenswear return

It’s hardly surprising, what with his six year break from womenswear and all, that Tom Ford’s return to luxe ladies clothing is one of the most anticipated collections for a decade, and after a spectacular secret unveiling to a select number of press in September, we’ve finally got a first look of his debut comeback.

Surprisingly, the usually highly private designer who shies away from media attention (sending social networks, the blogosphere, and just about anyone with a laptop and access to the internet into a frustration frenzy, might we add), has been photographed by Stephen Meisel for Vogue’s December issue alongside a handful of his favourite models wearing his new designs.

So, what can we expect?  “There’s a continuity from what I was doing at YSL at the end; that’s the customer,” Mr. Ford tells Vogue.com – he doesn’t like to be called Tom any more.

“It’s about individuality. Real clothes, real women. For a fashionable woman aged 25 to 75. That’s why I literally put many of my own muses in the show. I hear them say, ‘God, I can’t find that anywhere!’ ”

Flared trouser suits, soft trenches, floor-length silks and leopard print – it’s all there, with more besides, but don’t expect to see it online before its spring launch.

“I do not understand everyone’s need to see everything online the day after a show,” says Mr. Ford. “I don’t think it ultimately serves the customer, which is the whole point of my business – not to serve journalists or the fashion system. To put something out that’s going to be in a store in six months, and to see it on a starlet, ranked in US magazine next week? My customer doesn’t want to wear the same thing she saw on a starlet!”

Head to Vogue.com to see the rest of Mr. Ford’s images and read the full interview – it’s mesmerising, much like the man himself.