We sat in the front row last night at Tom Ford’s fall/winter 2019/2020 coed fashion show at the Park Avenue Armory at what is probably the top draw at an increasingly diminished fashion week in New York City. 

Once again, Tom Ford mined the ghosts of Studio 54, much as he has done throughout his career every few seasons (a time he recalls fondly). Visions of Bianca Jagger and Grace Jones stocked the runway to the soundtrack of Stayin’ Alive (1977) by the Bee Gees and other disco classics (as if it weren’t obvious enough).

His womenswear was heavy on daywear and masculine elements such as tailored jackets, button-font shirts and pleated trousers, which, as has been the case in the last few seasons, echo Tom Ford’s enormously successful menswear line, which was also represented on the runway but was clearly an afterthought in this coed show.

This highly commercial and wearable collection was accentuated with funky disco era elements such as colorful faux fur Fedoras and coats. 

The color matching, in soft shades of plum, sky blue and military green, was masterful. Slick jackets in leather or velvet, both perennial Tom Ford standbys, were also prominent.

Evening wear was a standout, comprised of long, loosely-draped column dresses accentuated with heavy metallic chain hardware. Interestingly, there was little emphasis on women’s handbags or other accessories. The last look that Ford sent down the runway, yet another chain-embellished column dress that resembled nothing if not a walking disco ball, drove home the obvious territory that Ford was referencing.

Ford is clearly giving his customer exactly what she wants: wearable, sexy, confident, extremely well-made clothing that does not stray from the patented Tom Ford formula. Undoubtedly, this is a collection that will prove to be a success in stores. 

After exploring some kitschy L.A. aesthetic from two seasons ago, Ford is not taking any chances. He is apparently very comfortable with who he is as a designer in terms of his brand’s identity, and what is expected from him, and he gave it to us last night. He seems to be aware that critics looking for the next big idea in fashion will not find it on his runway.

I, for one, am excited for these designs to hit stores, as you might already know by how much I hype Tom Ford in my novel, Your Life, Little Girl. I was also thrilled when Mr. Ford pointed out my chain embellished dress after the show last night (a friend caught a shot of it):

More from last night:

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For more photos of the fashion show, see Vogue’s gallery today or the Tom Ford website.