As the reconfigured Robert Palmer anthem Addicted to Love blasted over Tom Ford's smooth, salon speaker system, it was clear that we were in for a date with overtly sensual, rock 'n' roll high priestesses. The American designer may have sighted references from his own 1990s back catalogue as the season's lynchpin - indeed the bra cups and black mesh were classic Ford-era Gucci - but the Lurex flares, baby doll dresses and stretch sequins surely strode right out of a Seventies discotheque. Either way, Ford's jewelled 'pasty' flowers were obviously a contemporary addition. Striding six foot plus in their platformed clogs, spiky shag crops and kohl-rimmed eyes, these models were calling out for a stage, as their long chiffon choker scarves trailed behind. And if not for their gold leather chain embroidery dresses, then certainly for their camouflage jacquard boot cut jeans. This was not a season for the shy or even slightly self-conscious. Ford's tee-shirts were more akin to bodysuits, his evening wear - inspired by Carlo Mollino's provocative photographs - equaling sequinned bands or harness bras floating on stretch tulle. Instead, this was a collection for the beautiful and the damned.
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Christmas gift ideas for design loversWallpaper* global design director Hugo Macdonald compiles his festive wish list – from Poltrona Frau's luxurious dog leads to Carl Aubock's wicker magazine wall rack
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‘I want to push it forward’: Dries Van Noten’s new creative director is Julian KlausnerA member of the Dries Van Noten design team since 2018, Belgian designer Julian Klausner has been promoted to creative director after the namesake founder’s exit from his eponymous label earlier this year
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Inside Dior’s ‘Gold House’ in Bangkok, a spectacular celebration of Thai art and craftDaven Wu takes a trip to Bangkok to discover ‘Gold House’, a gilded new concept store from Dior which is rooted in both Parisian savoir-faire and artisanal Thai craft, featuring a café, gardens and showstopping gilded facade
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Get to know Issey Miyake’s innovative A-POC ABLE line as it arrives in the UKAs A-POC ABLE Issey Miyake launches in London this week, designer Yoshiyuki Miyamae gives Wallpaper* the lowdown on the experimental Issey Miyake offshoot
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Margaret Howell London Fashion Week Women's S/S 2019 -
London Fashion Week S/S 2023: Ahluwalia to Martine RoseThough slimmed-down, London Fashion Week nonetheless provided the moments of creative expression the city is known for – from Ahluwalia’s ode to Africa to Martine Rose’s much-anticipated runway return
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Discover these fashion brands at London Craft WeekDuring London Craft Week, fashion brands including Smythson, Bally and Serapian are hosting events across the capital
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Nicholas Daley's multicultural roots celebrated in London -
New York Fashion Week A/W 2021: drive thrus and digital distortionNew York Fashion Week's digital-first offering presented solutions to life post-pandemic and political crisis, from brands including Tom Ford, Proenza Schouler, Khaite and Collina Strada
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Modern Manhattan: how NYC navigated the S/S 2021 showsAs the spring shows kick off in New York, designers offered respite, innovation and escapism from a city still moving towards recovery
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V&A spotlights the sartorial and social significance of the kimonoFor the latest endeavour of London's Victoria and Albert Museum, Kimono: Kyoto to Catwalk explores the evolution of the iconic Japanese garment
