Gucci by Tom Ford: Standing Ovation, Tears & Hours of Goodbyes
By Michelle Taylor
Photos by Giovanni Pucci

Tom Ford on the runway

Tom Ford hugs Richard Buckley

MILAN, Feb 26, 2004/ FW/ – Nothing less than a standing ovation, tears and hours of goodbyes for the blessed invitees to the fashion event of the year, Tom Ford’s parting with the label that has become synonymous with his own name, Gucci. Nothing less than spectacular the rose petals that fell from the sky and bathed the shoulders of the man who has taken the Gucci name to new dimensions both commercially and economically.

Nothing less than superb a collection for fall 2004/05 that is rumoured to perhaps make more sales than any other Gucci collection designed by Ford to date as fans rush to buy a part of fashion history. Perhaps also technically his best ever and definitely the most luxurious and elite yet.

Nothing less than a single hug on the runway, one reserved for long time partner Richard Buckley, both glassy eyed and with hiccuppedy hearts.

On a white fur runway, glamour ladies nostalgic of 1940’s Hollywood Diva style gracefully walked to a soundtrack put together by Ford of some of his favourite past tunes. Fox fur stoles lined collars and wrapped around torsos, skirts are sexy, pencil thin to the knee and there are slim pants playing with transparency that only Ford knows how.

Exceptional the fur panelled and leather jackets with regal collars that curl around the neck, and while not forgetting his elegant and divine men, perfectly gorgeous and slick, the evening wear this season for Gucci is dazzling. His muses don full length dresses of sparkling crystal, plunging V’s in front and back and tassels that fall to the floor over transparency.

The man himself is dressed impeccably as always in a black double-breasted jacket, the perfect white flower, tuxedo pants and white shirt.

Ford did not bow out but remained shoulders high and proud to receive his fans, the final curtain for Gucci and Ford an emotional goodbye, ten years of hard work, sweat and tears has come to an end.

As guests celebrate Texas’s greatest fashion export in style tonight, he has already flown out of Milan on a private jet, with all the elegance and class of a storybook prince.

But as is always the way, even when one knows its coming, it still is never really as expected, and today more people from the who’s who of fashion to the no names are asking how the hell could the Gucci group let the man go?

Filling the mans shoes will be no easy task, at least not today, as Milan and fashionistas the world over mourn the end of an era.

Elvis has just left the building…and so has Tom.

Gucci by Tom Ford

Gucci by Tom Ford

Gucci by Tom Ford

Gucci by Tom Ford

Gucci by Tom Ford