Tom Ford: Filmmaker Extraordinaire

Fashion designer Tom Ford recently shared that he would not be dressing soon-to-be First Lady Melania Trump on The View but his statement isn’t the only thing making headlines. His film Nocturnal Animals opened in theaters all over the country this past week and was met with rave reviews, leading to three Golden Globe nominations including Best Director, Best Screenplay and Best Supporting Actor (Aaron Taylor-Johnson). Ford, who wrote the screenplay and directed the film, isn’t a newcomer to the film industry. In 2009, he wrote and directed the film A Single Man and proved to critics that his directorial debut was only the beginning of a long and impressive filmmaking career. With breathtaking cinematography and a meticulous attention to detail, Ford’s films are provocative and not to be missed.

Ford made a name for himself in the fashion industry as the creative director for both Gucci and Yves Saint Laurent. In 2005, he launched his film production company Fade To Black and the following year, his self-titled label “Tom Ford”.  Since then, he has dressed icons such as Beyoncé, Tom Hanks, Ryan Gosling, Lady Gaga, Jennifer Lopez and First Lady Michelle Obama.

As a director, Ford’s work is just as alluring. His storytelling is often dark and poignant, digging deep into the narrative. What’s distinct about Ford’s directing is how he manages to highlight beauty even in a character’s most vulnerable moments. In A Single Man, Colin Firth’s character suffers from depression after losing his partner. While he copes with loneliness and a fear of change, he is engulfed by darkness. Ford skillfully uses lighting and color to portray different emotions; when Firth’s character rediscovers happiness, the world around him becomes lighter and more vibrant.

In Nocturnal Animals, Ford uses a frame story as a narrative technique to tell a thrilling psychological masterpiece about an art gallery owner (Amy Adams) and her estranged ex-husband (Jake Gyllenhaal). Although the protagonists are essentially characters in a novel, they reflect a real failed marriage. Ford is successful in revealing the insecurities and fears of the characters that become the catalyst for their meltdowns.

As award season begins, one can expect Ford to win big. With his tantalizing storytelling skills and ability to find the beauty in darkness, Ford is a directing force to be reckoned with.

Nocturnal Animals is now playing in theaters.

Photo Credit: Mike Windle/HFA2016