Sexy, Sultry, Classy

Just as new taste for sensual glamour and rich, glossy style comes back into the fashion frame, Peter Hawkings, Tom Ford’s right hand for over 25 years, is taking over at the helm of the brand that put the sizzle back into fashion in the mid 2000s. That clean cut, seductive DNA is in Hawkings DNA – the Englishman started working with the disruptive maestro back in the late 90s in Milan for Gucci and helped rebuild the then down at heel Italian luxury house into a global brand that put the heat back into style. Remember those body contouring moto jackets, the slinky velvet suiting, the satin chemises and jersey goddess gowns? Ford launched his own brand in 2005 first with eyewear and make-up reversing the playbook and to huge success. Ford sold his business to Estee Lauder with Zegna taking over manufacturing for a cool, cool $2.3 bn last year.

Well, the good news is that gorgeous melange of on the nail pieces is on the menu again. Hawkings recalibrated and refreshed the hits with reproportioned cuts, subtle new colourways and a controlled rather than ‘wild’ understanding of what it means to be sexy now. There were turtleneck sheer jersey column dress slung with sculpted gold metal belts; fringe tiered leather flapper dresses; and a chromatic line up of velvet suits that spanned from teal to raspberry, ivory and lilac. Hawkings also reunited the men’s and women’s worlds that saw men in equally polished suiting and leather. There were plenty of accessories – those maxi framed sunglasses and clutches ( to match your dress); the Y necklaces and T chain heels – speak volumes about shining your allure in these quiet luxury times.