'Breasts and lips could not get any more pumped-up': Tom Ford considers modern perceptions of beauty in new documentary

By Tamara Abraham
Last updated at 11:37 PM on 20th October 2011

The fashion world has been waiting with baited breath for the upcoming Tom Ford documentary to air on the Oprah Winfrey Network.
Now, just days before we see it in its entirety, a series of clips have been released, offering us a glimpse of what we can expect.
The notoriously private designer, 50, allows viewers unguarded access to his star-studded show in New York last year, his new London studio and his opinions on the world around him.

Unguarded access: Notoriously private designer Tom Ford has allowed a camera crew to follow him for a new documentary. It is due to air on the Oprah Winfrey Network on Sunday

One of the shorts sees him remarking upon modern perceptions of beauty as he steps behind the camera to shoot one of his own marketing images.
He said: 'Today, we're in the pumped up period: women's breasts are pumped up, lips couldn't get any more pumped-up.


'Where's that come from culturally? Why is that happening? Where are we going next?'
He admitted that he had never let anyone film him like this before as he guided cameras through his new headquarters in London.

Pumped-up: A model is pictured being photographed by Mr Ford as he considers why the prevailing trend in women's beauty is for extreme volume in the breasts and lips

'People have tried, I've just never, never allowed it,' he said, showing the large, bright room from which his small team operate.
Explaining why he based himself in the UK, the Texas-born designer said the country was a hotbed of talent.
'It's amazing, England seems to turn out great designers,' he said.
Even more exclusive still, was footage from his debut womenswear show in New York, which sparked outrage among the fashion press because he made guests sign a non-disclosure agreement and refused to allow any photographers to cover it.

Exclusive: Beyonce and Lauren Hutton modelled in the show for the designer's own-label womenswear debut

Privileged few: Footage of Mr Ford inspecting the room where he would show his debut womenswear collection in New York reveals just how limited seating was

The privileged few that did attend (it is clear from the film how small the showroom was) were treated to the sight of Beyonce, Lauren Hutton, Julianne Moore and Karen Elson walking the catwalk.
But the glamorous show was preceded by some serious pressure.
'Perfection is almost an illness with me,' he admits.
'When I design, I want to make the very best thing that I can make. It doesn't have anything to do with trying to reach a mass audience or not a mass audience.

Where the magic happens: The designer offers a glimpse of his new London headquarters

A co-worker with a rail of samples at the London studio. 'England turns out great designers,' Mr Ford said

The line, of course, was well-received, with a high point earlier this year when Michelle Obama wore a white Tom Ford gown to a State Dinner at  Buckingham Palace.
It is a major about-turn for the designer who discussed how lost he felt after he walked away from his high-profile post at the helm of Gucci, where he had been creating a staggering 16 collections each year.

Having it all: Mr Ford has been in a relationship with his partner Richard Buckley for 24 years

'I remember the day I left Gucci...' Mr Ford is filmed saying. 'I came home, pulled all the drapes, and went to sleep.
'I woke up the next morning and looked at my calendar. It was usually so full, and there was just nothing. I didn't know who I was, I didn't know what I was supposed to be.'
But once he came to terms with his new-found freedom, he found he was able to realise dreams he had cast aside for his fashion career. In particular, one to make a film.
His debut feature film, A Single Man, starring Colin Firth and Julianne Moore was released in 2009 and was nominated for an Oscar the following year. 
'I had always been obsessed with film, and decided that at some point in my future I was going top make movies... I didn't realise that people were laughing [at me] until later...
'I had no idea that people thought this was a ludicrous notion.'

Visionaries: Tom Ford will air on Sunday at 9pm on OWN

Comments (8)