Tom Ford Fall 2020 Campaign by Adam Katz Sinding | Tom Ford International Supports Black Talent

Tom Ford delivers his Fall/Winter campaign, redefining sensuality in an attitude of sophisticated, modern androgyny. The campaign model lineup includes Anna Herrera, Elias de Poot, Erik van Gils, Gena Malinin, Gigi Hadid, Hannah Motler, Henry Kitcher, Joel Dent, Malick Bodian, Marjan Jonkman, Mayowa Nicholas, Niks Gerbasevskis, Nina Marker and Tae Min Park.

Tom Ford’s close friend Carine Roitfeld styles the shoot with images by Adam Katz Sinding (IG) shot at Ford’s Los Angeles runway show./ Hair by Duffy; makeup by Diane Kendal

In another reminder of just how strongly the creative community feels about racial justice, Adam Katz Sinding takes a very direct approach on his Instagram bio: STOP FUCKING KILLING BLACK PEOPLE! He also adds BOOK MY ASS: Studio@AdamKatzSinding.com; BUY MY GODDAMN BOOKS @mendobooks.

In a further nod to the fashion industry finally facing the consequences of the systemic racism that has been a lynchpin of our workplace and decision-making for decades, Tom Ford is quoted extensively in WWD’s article Ten Companies From the Designers Hub to Receive $150,000 in Funding.

Bethann Hardison created the Designers Hub to champion Black designers and Black-owned fashion brands and businesses in late summer 2020, under the umbrella of the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA).

Ford is chairman of CFDA, which was heavily criticized in July 2020 for its primarily-white line-up of 30 nominees. V Magazine informed readers about the new Designers Hub in depth, including its members.

Even USA Today covered the CFDA nominations, racial-justice controversy — prompting me to emphasize everyday America’s interest in racial justice, a values-driven priority now influencing voters of every age across the USA. Fashion-industry silos of self-interest and tunnel vision are being challenged on every front, including the highly-visible fashion industry symbolically led by Tom Ford and Anna Wintour and Vogue’s A Common Thread, also under the CFDA umbrella.

Tom Ford International gave a new donation that was earmarked for Black designers who couldn’t apply for original sources of COVID-driven funding through the new groups — for whatever reason.

Bethann Hardison and the Council of Fashion Designers of America revealed the 10 recipients of funding from the Designers Hub grant, each sharing the modest $150,000 grant: Aisha McShaw; House of Aama’s Akua Shabaka; Ashya’s Ashley Cimone and Maya Annece; Azede’s Azede Jean-Pierre; Jamall Osterholm; Third Crown’s Kristin and Kofi Essel; Oak & Acorn’s Miko Underwood; Edas’ Sade Mims; Salone Monet, and Bed on Water’s Shantell Campbell.

“Very proud of the conscious support” from Ford and the CFDA via A Common Thread, Hardison said, “In the spirit of giving, this grant has made a great impact. Mostly because it was a magnificent surprise. It moved me greatly when I saw the e-mail from Tom [Ford] to Steven [Kolb] and the CFDA to give his donation to help our designers that hadn’t received, hadn’t qualified or hadn’t applied to receive funding.”

Ford said in a statement:

“I have enormous respect for Bethann and her important work to bring diversity and equity to fashion. As both an American designer and chairman of the CFDA, I am happy that we are able to support the Designers Hub and help Black talents build their businesses, make their voices heard and leave their mark on the industry.”