Tom Ford has released previews for his upcoming Fall/Winter 2013 campaign, which is set to debut in August magazines. The ads star Korean model Soo Joo Park, new face Gemma Refoufi, Tanzanian beauty Herieth Paul and the Polish model Zuzanna Bijoch (not pictured here) in the womenswear ads and Oli Tyler, Conrad Bromfield, and Juan Betancourt in the eyewear campaign. The controversial Fall 2013 womenswear collection, which fashion fans either loved or hated, gets a simpler look for the campaign, with the white background toning down the extravagant look of the eccentric clothes. And although the styling was excessive in the runway show, the simpler version seen in the ad campaign isn’t very convincing, either.
“Lackluster. To save this disappointing collection he needed BIG models with BIG photography. Not this,” wrote CharlottefromCA.
Vogue28 noted that Ford isn’t the most skilled photographer and maybe should have brought someone else in to shoot this campaign: “These are probably the most unappealing and unattractive images Tom Ford has ever produced. I’m just amazed at how lackluster, lifeless and flat the two images posted are. Maybe he should have hired Mert & Marcus to take care of this particular collection.”
And anlabe32 praised the diverse casting but found the images “too simple even if the clothes are being displayed well.”
But the resonance wasn’t entirely negative. Some forum members loved the image. Miguelalmeida commented: “Love it! Great choice of background, because the clothes are very loud, and the white background make the looks pop! Great ad! FABULOUS!”
Creative voiced his disappointment with what Ford has been delivering lately. “I could have never imagined his comeback would be so bad. It’s really hard to believe this is the brand of the man who was at the helm of Gucci and YSL nine years ago… What he does now is laughable… and not in a funny way.”
I share anlabe32’s sentiments about the diverse casting and agree with the majority that this campaign has no ‘wow’ factor. I belong to the category of people who disliked the collection to begin with and I believe if Ford had gone all out, creating an over-the-top flamboyant campaign, I would have probably ended up understanding the collection better — and maybe even appreciating it. But the unimaginative concept here does nothing to convince me I need giant star prints all over my clothes next fall. Try harder next time, Mr. Ford!
