Tom Ford - The Spring/Summer 2011 Collection

After having piqued the fashion world's interest during New York's fashion week, Tom Ford revealed his heretofore mysterious collection in the pages of Vogue. With all the mastery for which he is known, the designer celebrated his comeback by presenting an audaciously elegant, oh-so-70s wardrobe.

After a perfume line, sunglasses line, men's line and a film (A Single Man), he who joyfully tantalized the fashion world by breaking the rules at Gucci, who made fashionistas his groupies while at YSL, has finally come back to women's prêt-a-porter.

However, it was out of the question for Ford to return to the Gucci mania where provocation served as his creative theme. At a time when the fashion turnover rate is coming dangerously close to consuming itself, Ford is bringing back mystery by rejecting the "everything, right now" system.

It was out of the question for him to see his collection overexposed too quickly, between Style.com page views immediately following the show to endless fast fashion imitations. In order give his clients the pleasure of discovering pieces in the boutique that had not yet been seen on a movie star nor in all the fashion magazines, Ford made sure to keep his collection a secret, planning its press appearances very carefully.

Two months after his presentation, in a retro atmosphere in front of 100 or so carefully selected fashion editors, Ford finally chose to reveal the first images of his collection in Vogue.

Ford's modus operandi may recall the best of the old-fashioned way of doing things, but it is his vision of women that makes him what he is today. Passing up the top models in favor of his own pantheon of muses, the designer celebrated individuality by having Lauren Hutton, Lou Doillon, Julianne Moore and even Beyoncé walk for him.

As for the collection itself, it is a condensation of what Tom Ford knows best: making women look good through clothes with well-conceived details, a lot of irony, strong character and vibrating sensuality.

Between quality, elitism, excellence, enigma and extreme glamour, Tom Ford could well have found the fashion recipe of the 21st century, susceptible to transforming fashion into fantasy once again.

The collection will be available in the Tom Ford boutiques in February.

P.S. Tom Ford may have changed his communication strategy, but he is not turning his back on his former partners. He will take the reins of Vogue Paris for the December/January issue where he will appear on the cover as well.