Tom Ford has always operated from the principle that sex sells. Yet by 2003, the raunch which he had once so scandalously injected into Gucci had become commonplace; the fashion world was desensitized to his antics. Over the preceding decade, he had refined the aesthetic and added an element of complex craftsmanship not seen in his formative years. His silhouettes, once stiff and ultra-slim, had now become disheveled by design, as if his models had stirred from the bedroom just long enough to walk the runway. His fascination with the kimono had only developed further, culminating in him closing the spring 2003 show with full-length silk coats made out of such fabrics. Spring 2003 also marked the appearance of the now-legendary Kama Sutra souvenir jackets, which depicted meticulously woven scenes from the Indian text.

Perhaps no piece better underscores Ford’s intersection of traditional luxury and campy raunch than these velvet loafers, which read “suck me.” The words are embroidered onto the slippers, and the shoes feature a quilted interior.

Condition: 8/10. Some marks of wear throughout.

Tagged size: 7D (fits a size 8)