**Tom Ford has been known to have an insta-ban on his shows, with strictly no tweeting, no iPhone pictures and no speedy reviews posted from the back of a taxi. He favours intimate events with a strict guest list of key editors. But Tom Ford has noticed that "something new is happening" in the industry. So what is this new corner of planet fashion the pioneer has discovered? Err, social media.
In an interview with Style.com's Tim Blanks Tom says he now cares about a Rihanna Instagram. He said: "Something new is happening that I'm just clueing into now—this probably won't go down well—but customers don't care any more about reviews or hard-copy publications. They care what picture Rihanna just Instagrammed while she's naked in bed, what new shoes she has on, how she's talking about them. That's what they respond to."
Rihanna in Tom Ford heels and more Tom Ford treats [Instagram]
He added: "Maybe I'm late to the party, but for my age, I'm becoming much more connected in that way." We're afraid you're way too late on this one Tom - Rihanna has already been there, Instagrammed that and left. It's now been one month since @Badgalriri was shut down.
We don't think Tom Ford is about to have a front row filled with bloggers and Instagram stars just yet, as he clarified he still respects established critics. He said: "It doesn't mean I don't care about reviews, but today a lot of people who are reviewing are bloggers. There's no longer the hierarchy of an editor in chief on top who hires people with a knowledge and a history and an ability to write and disseminate that information to the rest of the population. Everyone has a voice now, so the person with the loudest voice is the one people listen to."
Now listen up Rihanna, seeing as Mr Tom Ford is now paying attention to your Instas, surely it's time to return? #BringBackBadgalriri
Look through Rihanna's most fashionable Instagram pictures in the gallery above...