Tom Ford’s debut film as a director, adaptor and director, “A Single Man” – based on the Christopher Isherwood novel of L.A. academic life in the nineteen sixties – was part of The A.F.I. Festival in Hollywood this week, with the screening at the Mann’s Chinese on Hollywood Boulevard, and the party afterwards at the Roosevelt Hotel. On hand were Cindy Crawford and Rande Gerber, the movie’s stars Colin Firth Matthew Goode and Ginnifer Goodwin (but not Julianne Moore) – Ginnifer styled by Penny Lovell, and wearing an awesome black lace dress and her chic new short hair.) After all, one wears one’s best when you’re going to be in the presence of Tom Ford, the immaculate. Lisa Rinna was an amazing standout in a full shouldered Dolce & Gabbana sweater that was just stunning – head turning! She admitted to us she borrowed it from a friend, who had just bought it. But the star of any Tom Ford event is always Tom Ford – cutting a slim broad-shouldered figure in a slim cut Tom Ford suit, aviator glasses, and the perfect amount of facial hair. We spoke to the Fantastic Mr. Ford briefly at the premiere party, and here’s what he said about the film:
FASHIONRULES: You must be so proud tonight. You worked so hard to get a film off the ground for years – and this film has already won prizes at the Venice Film Festival.
TOM FORD: Yes, you dream about a night like this. I know I did, from a very young age. But when it happens, it’s absolutely surreal. I chose Christopher Isherwood’s novel to adapt because not only is it a study of what it was like to be a gay man in America in the nineteen sixties – it’s a real love story – and it’s a real picture of loneliness and depression and repression. There’s a lot of me in the character of George. I’ve experienced depression, particularly in the last few years after leaving Gucci – I didn’t show it on the outside – but I relate to the character Colin Firth played so beautifully. What keeps him somewhat centered are his clothes – crisp white shirts, shined shoes, good tailored suits. I relate to that, too. I love fashion, but it’s only on the outside. I’m beginning to fixate a lot more about what is going on underneath the clothes, in the heart and soul. I was very concerned with the visuals of this film – as I hope you can see – but the heart of it was what I was really after. I know that’s not what people expect from me. And I don’t mind surprising people.
FASHIONRULES: The internet was abuzz in the last few weeks, when you announced that you will be doing a women’s collection of clothes soon.
TOM FORD: Yes, I am working on that. I don’t want to say too much about it, but I’m excited to be doing women’s clothes again.
FASHIONRULES: How will you have time to do more films?
TOM FORD: I have great people working for me!
