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Call me Quote by Tom Ford

“If you are a designer, sometimes it is better not to delegate, because someone pays money for something that you designed, so it should be exactly the way you want it, exactly the way you would have chosen it. People call me a control freak, and I say, "Well, my name is on the shoe." It means the…” quote by Tom Ford
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“If you are a designer, sometimes it is better not to delegate, because someone pays money for something that you designed, so it should be exactly the way you want it, exactly the way you would have chosen it. People call me a control freak, and I say, "Well, my name is on the shoe." It means the heel needs to be the way I want it and not the way somebody else wants it, and the toe needs to be exactly the way I want it, and the fabric and the material have to be exactly the way I want it. It is not a democracy - it is a dictatorship.”

Tom Ford

About This Quote

Source Interview: Tom Ford on Design Philosophy, 2015

Designers should retain full control over their work to ensure the final product matches their vision, rejecting external influence.

In simple terms: Designers must keep control over their creations.

Key Takeaway

Insist on personal standards.

Themes

control design ownership quality authority

Mood

determined assertive

Type

advice philosophical

When to use this quote

  • fashion design
  • product development
  • client presentations
  • creative collaborations

Key Concepts

creative autonomy brand integrity attention to detail

Questions to Reflect On

  • How do you balance personal vision with client needs?
  • When is delegation beneficial?
A Different Perspective

Too much control can stifle team input and innovation.

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