Paris Fashion Week just delivered its most talked-about moment in recent memory. Tom Ford's latest collection sent male models down the runway wearing thongs, sparking immediate backlash and heated debate across social media. The show, led by creative director Haider Ackermann, pushed the boundaries of what's considered acceptable on a fashion runway—and the internet had feelings about it.
What Happened at Tom Ford's Show
The Spring/Summer 2027 collection debuted in Paris, with Ackermann leaning heavily into Tom Ford's signature aesthetic of seduction and luxury. Models appeared in sharply tailored jackets and suits, but the real conversation centered on what lay underneath—or rather, what was prominently displayed.
Several male models wore tiny underwear as a visible part of their outfits, not hidden beneath layers. One particularly memorable look featured a male model in a pale pink thong paired with a brown crewneck sweater, a leather bag, and a vicuña coat draped over his shoulder. Beyond the thongs, the runway showcased hot pink briefs, cropped white trousers, transparent bodysuits, and garments with strategic gaps revealing skin.
Ackermann stood by his vision in the show notes, emphasizing that seduction had always been central to the brand and this collection simply ventured into more provocative territory. He described his interest in the tension between revealing the body and keeping something hidden, writing that there was something deeply sexual about a body that shows without fully exposing itself.
The creative team embraced experimentation as part of fashion's freedom. Ackermann told his collaborators to pursue joy and take risks, believing this approach kept the work feeling vital and alive.
Why People Are Divided
The runway videos quickly divided viewers. Critics questioned whether tiny underwear belonged on a fashion runway at all. One person wrote that this was stupidity, not fashion. Another asked whether the outfits could ever be appropriate outside a runway setting, wondering aloud about sporting such looks at a baseball game or wedding or funeral.
Some commenters found the looks degrading, with one stating simply to put on some clothes.
However, supporters pointed out a glaring double standard. If women's fashion regularly includes revealing pieces, they asked, why should men wearing similarly daring clothing shock anyone? One commenter noted that women had endured this scrutiny for years, yet when a man does the same thing, everyone reacts hysterically. Another argued that society had already accepted thongs and exposed skin as part of women's fashion, so the reaction to men doing the same seemed hypocritical.
Our Analysis: Fashion's Gender Rules Are Shifting
Let's be honest: fashion provokes by design. What gets a reaction one season becomes mainstream the next. Thongs on women went from scandalous to unremarkable over decades. Tom Ford is essentially compressing that timeline for men—and the discomfort says more about our expectations than about the clothes.
Ackermann's framing matters here. He's not presenting this as practical wear for everyday life. He's exploring the boundary between hiding and revealing, between luxury and exposure. Whether you find it compelling or ridiculous probably depends on how much you already trust high fashion to do its own thing.
The double-standard argument has merit, though. If women have been pushed to reveal more for decades—often for male gaze rather than their own expression—it's fair to ask whether men's thongs represent genuine liberation or just another fashion industry provocation dressed up as progress.
What to watch: Expect more brands to test gender boundaries in future seasons. Either this becomes a memorable one-off or the start of a broader shift toward genuinely unisex revealing fashion.
Takeaway
- Fashion provokes by design; don't mistake controversy for permanence
- The double standard debate has legitimate points on both sides
- Ackermann framed this as exploration, not everyday wear
Frequently asked questions
Who designed the Tom Ford collection that featured men's thongs?
Creative director Haider Ackermann presented the Spring/Summer 2027 collection during Paris Fashion Week.
What was the inspiration behind the revealing looks?
Ackermann said he wanted to push Tom Ford's core concept of seduction further, exploring the tension between showing the body and keeping something hidden.
How did social media react to the show?
Responses were divided. Some viewers found the looks ridiculous or degrading, while others pointed out the double standard compared to women's revealing fashion.
Were thongs the only revealing items in the collection?
No. The show also featured hot pink briefs, cropped white trousers, transparent bodysuits, and garments with strategic cutouts revealing skin.
Inspired by reporting from: boredpanda.com