Tom Ford (Finally!) Confirms His Secret, Pre-Fashion Career

Colin Firth’s nickname for Tom Ford is “the King of Sex,” and now everyone knows it. The Oscar winner put Mr. Ford on blast at Wednesday’s WSJ Magazine dinner, held at the Museum of Modern Art in New York. Firth was presenting Mr. Ford with their prestigious Innovator Award, and letting some secrets slip along the way. In scandal-making order, they are:

1. The King of Sex is nicer than you’d think.

2. The King of Sex “comprehensively renovated” Firth with a Hollywood makeover, diet and exercise included.

3. The King of Sex once threw his back out while imitating Diane von Furstenberg at a London nightclub.

“That’s true,” Ford confirmed. “But have you ever seen Diane when she’s [reclining]? It’s amazing.” When discussing his latest film, Nocturnal Animals, the director reflected on a quote from the screenplay — No one really writes about anyone but themselves. “That’s something that really struck me, because it’s so real,” he said. “All our creative impulses, even if they’re about something or someone else, even someone very different than ourselves, they ultimately still reflect who we are, what we see, what we want. … The thing with art, though, no matter what form it takes, is that hopefully through [the artist’s] unique experiences, you can create something universal that people connect with in their own way. In many ways, I hope.”

Ford wasn’t keen to talk fashion but did confirm a long-simmering rumor: Before he became a style emperor, the Texas native was indeed an actor — though you’ll never find his films. “I’m not giving up that information!” he laughed before joining Karlie Kloss, Melinda Gates, and Julie Taymor at the gala dinner. “I used a different name in the Screen Actors Guild so nobody could find me.” Fashion junkies might consider this a challenge, but for Ford it’s just another step on his creative journey. “I love the word innovation,” he concluded, “because it means you’re constantly moving forward.”

Or at least saving face. “I’ve had to ‘innovate’ a few outfits right before a red carpet or a runway, for sure,” laughed Karlie Kloss, who’s studying computer science at NYU while prepping for the Victoria’s Secret runway in Paris. “Let’s just say, never underestimate the power of a few safety pins … which should be kept in your bag at all times!”

Fellow “Bad Blood” vixen Martha Hunt agreed. “Having to make things work in crazy situations is part of our job, right? That’s what makes it fun … usually. I remember once, at my first-ever Versace show, I had a nip slip and I didn’t even know until I came off the runway. I thought I was rocking my look until I saw photos backstage. Then I was embarrassed. Now I laugh about it. Sometimes the only thing you need to innovate is your attitude.”

Or — according to designer Phillip Lim — your hair. “Three years ago, my runway models were supposed to have these really high updos. Fifteen minutes before the show, I realized it was all wrong. I’m running around backstage saying, ‘Take down your hair! Take it down now!’ I think I freaked out the hair team, but it was worth it — the collection looked so much cooler with everyone’s hair being so free. And I guess sometimes innovation means a little bit of panic.”

Other honored WSJ Innovators included artist Ai Wei Wei, set designer Es Devlin, and the Weeknd, aka Abel Tesfaye, who swapped GF Bella Hadid for BFF Naomi Campbell. (“He reminds me of Bob Marley,” Campbell said, citing his lyricism and humanitarian efforts.) Then there were food dudes Will Guidara and Daniel Humm, who pulled musician Jon Batiste onstage for a special jazz rendition of the nursery school hit “If You’re Happy and You Know It.”

Sensing innovation at work, the King of Sex and his room of admirers gleefully clapped their hands.