Tom Ford 'Metallique' Fragrance Campaign by Steven Klein

One of the most beautiful characteristics a creative leader can have is that of fearlessness. Fearlessness that comes from the comfort of understanding oneself, their moment, their surroundings, and their vision. Tom Ford is a rare example of a leader who is comfortable in his own skin. Skin like metal that is impervious to naysayers, marketing trends, and even lawyers.

So it should come as no surprise that the designer latest ad campaign to promote his newest fragrance, Métallique, features a topless Joan Smalls cupping her metalized body while liquid pours between her breast.

Ford, along with photographer/director, Steven Klein and Kate Audrey’s K. Studio, are comfortable bringing gasoline to a barbeque. Opening themselves up to the zig of today’s politically correct zag, the trio have managed to fill a tightly shot 30-second film with enough sexual innuendo to ignite a social firestorm. As if the temperatures weren’t hot enough online already with political discourse.

The Impression applauds the understanding and fearlessness that it takes to stand out in today’s clutter marketplace. And will skin like Métallique,Ford/Klein/Aubry, have again proven that they are comfortable deflecting whatever is hurled their way.