Tom Ford
Neighborhood: East 70s
Type of Place: Designers
Description:
Tom Ford, who shone for years as the womenswear designer for Gucci and
became a fashion icon in the process, has resurfaced as a men's
designer, with a new line and a brand new flagship store on Madison Avenue. In
the fashion world, this is major news--and accordingly, the store is
drawing reverant fashionistas to its doors.
Those doors have a doorman. And when you enter, another employee sits
in the entry foyer, behind a large, elegant table, prepared to direct
you to whatever you might need. In other words, this is not a store you
will visit unnoticed. Dress for it, if at all possible. The designer
shirt for which you paid way too much money and that you fear looks too
pronouncedly fashion-y for most occasions, for example, will be welcome
here. At the least, wear good shoes and carry your best bag: Details
will be noted. I visited the shop just prior to attending a friend's
baby's first birthday party, and my sneakers and nondescript casual jeans
reflected that fact. Thankful that at least my natty spring jacket, a
gift from my friend Liz, was by Armani (thank you, Liz!), I took a deep
breath and walked in.
"Gorgeous" was the word I most often heard being tossed around inside.
Ford followers on cell phones murmured about the clothing's gorgeousness to friends,
while shoppers, gently fondling the fabrics and admiring the designs,
repeated the word to one another. The shop itself is gorgeous also, a series
of small rooms adorned with equisitely tasteful velvet couches, marble
tables, and fresh flowers (though if the large fur rug in one of these
rooms is real, I don't want to know).
Some of the clothing is enclosed in glass cases, an arrangement I've
never seen in another shop. Of course, you can open the cases if you
wish; but the clothes are protected from casual hands (as I have a pen in
one of my own hands, I'm understanding of and somewhat grateful for this
protection). This is the kind of place where if you have to ask about
the prices, you probably can't afford the merchandise. I don't want to
change the whole mood of the shop by visibly pouncing onto price tags;
nor do I want to accidentally get pen ink on any of these lovely
goods. So I am careful, and I try to be discreet. Nonetheless, I manage
to get a few prices down:
Italian wool sweaters in pastel shades, $950; oatmeal-colored sweater
in bulkier wool, $850; velvet shoes in red, black, brown, or green,
$750; similar shoes with the initials "TF" prominently displayed, $950.
There is a separarate room for fragrance and glasses frames; another
for Oxford shirts. A man tries on a checked wool blazer, with two staff
members advising him. The jacket is gorgeous, and I must say the man is,
too. In another room, an elegant man with a shaved head and an
impeccable European accent tries on black-leather loafers. Upstairs is a
separate level--the elite of the elite, for "made to order" designs. I see
waiters carrying drink glasses from this level. I contemplate taking a
look, but it's clear that observers are not especially welcome--and I'm
in sneakers. Maybe another day.
To sum up, the clothing, decor, and patrons are gorgeous here. The
prices are high, and the mood is not what anyone would call casual. Dress
carefully, and then pay a visit; it's fashion history in the making.
- Pamela Grossman; April 15, 2007
Tom Ford
845 Madison Ave (at 70th St)
New York, NY
Website
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