A Conversation with Tom Ford
My obsession with Tom Ford has been one which I have carried for more than five years now. I respected everything he does whether it his amazing sense of style, his provocative photo shoots or just the outlandish reputation which he has amassed throughout his career. Of all the words that come to mind when I think of Ford, one that definitely sticks out is the word HERO. He has been a role model of mine and someone who I have absolutely idolized. I have an obsessed with people who think outside the box, people who can take something from ordinary to extraordinary with their unmeasured creativity. I remember driving with Dave on the way back from San Diego when the subject of Tom Ford came up. I told him how I am in awe of all his creations and how one day I’d love to meet him. Well the very next day I received a phone call from my brother informing me that he had tickets to a screening of Tom Ford’s new film A Single Man and that Tom Ford would be there for a Q&A afterward. Immediately I freaked out because it was beyond surreal.
The night of the screening was on the same day that I had completed my 185 film project which was a live action musical entitled ‘Wes Side Story.’ It was a baby that Chelsey and I created and a project in which we exhausted our creativity. When we had wrapped production, it was refreshing to be able to relax and go to a screening. Little did we know that it would be a night that would forever change our lives. A Single Man is easily one of my favorite film of the year and even lands as one of my favorite films of all time. The movie truly spoke to me and I connected to it on such a strong level that I constantly think about it regardless of what time of day it is or where I am. The movie is gorgeous to watch, the acting is flawless and the images projected onto the screen constantly left me with my jaw on the floor. Its amazing to know that it was Tom Ford’s first film and it is also interesting to note that it is the project that he is most proud of throughout his entire career. In multiple interviews as well as the Q&A, Tom talked about how he was on the brink of a mid-life crisis and reached a level of depression which had led him to thoughts of suicide. The film was an escape for him and was the way in which he truly was able to not only escape but truthfully express himself. Tom was pretty much forced out of the company which he had helped become so successfully and he felt as though he was under appreciated. All of the themes of Tom’s story are ones which I connect with on such a strong level. I see myself in Tom and I think that it was I idolize him so much. I want to grow up and develop the same type of lucrative career as him. He has no profession would defines him because he is constantly shifting and experimenting with various career paths.
At the end of the film, I was left speechless from what I had just witnessed. As the credits rolled, I sat in my seat and began crying. Chelsey and I walked into the lobby where we saw Tom standing with his entourage. We both freaked out but remained calm on the inside. After a brief trip to freshen up in the restroom, we returned and approached Tom. He was very receptive to us as we spilled our hearts to him and gushed about how much we loved the film. I told him how out of all his works, the film was by far my favorite and was one which I will remember for the rest of my life. Instead of the DIVOish reputation that Tom has created through his outlandish persona, Tom was beyond gracious and even a bit embarrassed and overwhelmed by the wealth of compliments we had given him. I told him, “Tom, I bow down to you, you are a genius.” To which he responded, “No, I bow down to you. Thank you so..so much!” He literally bowed down to me. I got to tell one of my heroes how much of an impact his work has had on my life and how his latest project would be something that would continue to inspire me for years to come. It was both rewarding and motivating to be able to talk to one of my heroes. I dream of one day working with Tom and collaborating on a project. The night that we met Tom Ford will be one that I will always look back on as being a day in which my life was forever changed.
Shortly after meeting Tom, I was inspired to follow my passion for photography and thus came up with the concept for the Monstrous Tea Party photo shoot. Thank you Tom for your inspiring words!