Friday, May 18, 2012

On Tom Ford And Perfection

Over two years ago, I shared a post about visionary, Tom Ford.

And if you remember, the reason I shared that post was because one of my readers had asked me in an earlier comment, what my ‘physical type’ was in a man. And although I don’t have ONE type - because to me, attractiveness encompasses the whole package – if I had to choose a type based initially on ‘looks’ only, it would be someone like Tom Ford.

And truly, can you blame me?

*hubba-hubba*

Not only do I find this brown eyed, stubbled face man attractive on a physical level, but I also find him attractive in his ability to move from one creative endeavor to another, and that everything he creates is done with such passion and detail. I love the fact that Tom Ford is not afraid to try new things; stretching himself by taking chances. And it’s amazing, because everything he touches turns to gold.

Tom Ford is not only an interior architect and clothing designer, but also a fragrance designer, filmmaker, and now has his own line of cosmetics.

I just recently watched a fascinating online documentary on Tom Ford, which revealed so much about the man behind the brand. Honestly, if you have some time this weekend, please watch it because you will be glued to his every word. It’s a candid documentary about the inner and outer journey this man has taken so far in his life. He has a strong yet, gentle soul that will truly inspire you.

Tom Ford is notorious for his perfectionism.

I found this quote online….

“You know, the world might be a very scary place if it were only run by Virgos. Perfectionists — I don’t know if there are any psychologists in the room — are more prone to depression because perfection is not achievable. Imperfection is perfection but that goes so against the grain. Fashion has a lot of Virgos — Stella McCartney, Karl Lagerfeld, Carine Roitfeld — there are a lot of us. To really obsess about a millimeter on a shoe, it helps to be a Virgo.”

I too am a perfectionist. And that’s probably because my astrological rising sign is Virgo.

But I also think it’s because I’m creative.

Perfectionism is a double-edged sword, because it can be the motivating force that propels you forward to achieve the very best. But it can also wear you down, because as Tom Ford said, imperfection IS perfection, therefore you’ve got to sense when to stop or it will drive you crazy.

After I saw this documentary, I started thinking about all the inventors, artists, and visionaries who have contributed great things to this world; all of whom are/were perfectionists.

If you think about it, most creative-type people are driven to perfection.

And I have my own personal ‘take’ on why that is.

Creativity is something that does not really come from us. Creativity is something that comes through us.

You see, I believe in a Higher Power. Call it God, the Universe, or whatever you choose to believe. Therefore I believe that creativity is not really ours, but rather belongs to the Higher Power that uses us to create on its own behalf. And I think where our obsession for perfection comes in is that we follow our inner promptings to create on behalf; yet at the same time struggle with our human eyes as to what WE think perfection is.

Being an artist/creative person is not easy, because as an artist, we constantly wrestle with the balance of knowing when perfection is achieved. We are often nonconforming and determined. But that’s because we are all in our own way, visionaries.

And I’m so glad that there are people like Tom Ford in this world, because he shows us that striving for perfection is not a negative thing. And that if we don’t at least strive for it….

…we’ll never achieve perfect imperfection.

Wishing you a perfect weekend everyone!

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