As New York fashion week came to wraps on Friday, Tom Ford – who was meant to show his FW 15 collection in London on Monday - snubbed the grey British capital for sunny Los Angeles, marking the biggest pre-Oscars party in years. Despite it being mid-fashion week in London, Ford's latest drop attracted fashion editors, buyers and celebrity big names – those already in town for Sunday’s Academy Awards. From the show's red carpet to the front row, Miley Cyrus was in full support, donning a high-neck sheer lace gown from Tom Ford fall 2011. “Tom told me not to wear anything under this dress tonight, so I didn’t,” she quipped with reporters. Scarlett Johansson, with a penchant for Ford, opted for glitz in a cropped gold look from Ford’s pre-fall 2015 collection. Anna Wintour's presence was also huge, having skipped the shows in London, to be there. She came as soon as she could. “The second I heard [about] it,” she told the New York Times, when asked when she knew she’d be out in LA. Fall Winter 2015 But Ford wasn’t to be overshadowed. The opening trio of tiered frocks, with their bell sleeves and ropey knot-work necklaces, had a touch of Victoriana-meets-Salem witch, about them. Then, Ford switched to craftiness, as macramé skirts - made from knotting yarn rather than weaving or knitting it - shimmied down the white petaled runway; the chunky rugs chased by vintage blue denim jackets – patched in different shades of blue.
Total denim looks came with jackets on full-length jean skirts; and met with leather high leather boots - the denim sporting paneled ocelot fur and psychedelic graphics. Fur continued over fitted sequin dresses, which felt very LA, in rounded shoulder silhouettes to knee lengths and plush auburn sleekness all the way to the hem. There was a wild-west theme from Ford. Fringing tussled from jackets and skirts, and in layered sections on tight frocks – top-to-bottom – the bodysuit materials forming a second skin. Outerwear bore hybrid skin, with suede and leathers forming luxury bonds, the collection turning from retro Americana to Brooklyn romp as the models stomped on. Finally, the evening wear Oscar contender walked on: a strapless gown with oversize bow and plunging ‘v’ at the back - crystal bead embellishments framing the seventies swirl print in black and pink for the win. LA: The next fashion hub Tom Ford’s first west coast show reflects a changing LA – a new fashion hub, some are calling it. Known for denim, luxury ‘it’ bags and sparkly formal wear, the city has in recent years become a home for several big designers. Ford himself works two months of each year from his Bel-Air home, made up by a two week stint in LA spent fitting stars for the Oscars in one of his fabulous gowns. He joins Hedi Slimane, Rodarte and Jeremy Scott as the latest slew of high-end designers either hailing from, or relocating to, the sunset city on at least a semi-permanent basis. Dior has confirmed its cruise collection will show in LA come May 9, proving a trend is certainly forming. The playful American woman from whom Ford designs, is very appropriate to LA - more so than posh sister, New York, and futurist London. But the question remains: “Will editors, buyers and celebrity big names get on a plane and fly several hours, to witness, what is actually a ten-minute fashion show? The answer is a whopping 'yes', if you're indeed Tom Ford.