So much for the R&R Tom Ford had planned for his retirement from the fashion industry.

Less than two years after Ford left Gucci in a highly publicized spat, the designer has introduced his first fragrance in his partnership with Estee Lauder (called Youth Dew Amber Nude) and produced the first line under his new Tom Ford banner -- eyewear done in conjunction with Italian manufacturer Marcolin. There are 23 frames and a half dozen variations of each one.

"I didn't rest and sleep, the things I thought I wanted to do. I laid in bed thinking 'I'm so bored!'" Ford tells The Associated Press.

Ford also is guest editor for Vanity Fair's annual Hollywood issue, which comes out in the spring, he says, and a freestanding Tom Ford menswear store is planned for Manhattan next year.

"I have something to say about menswear. There's nothing yet for me to say to women -- and it may be never and it may be soon. I just don't know," Ford says.

Either way, Ford promises a different look than the overtly sexual style that was his trademark. "Tom Ford is always going to be raw, but more sensual and elegant than I was in '95. The mood changes, and I'm not in the mood for 'sex' right now. I'm older too," he says.

Eventually there will be Tom Ford boutiques in Milan, Tokyo, London and Los Angeles, according to Ford, who expected to focus on making movies when he left Gucci.

"I am doing some movie stuff. There's less to show publicly than I had hoped but, hopefully, there'll be more soon. It's not the last you've heard about me and films," Ford says. "I have some clout (in Hollywood), but not what I had or still have in fashion."

He is dipping his toe back into fashion with fragrance, cosmetics and sunglasses for two reasons, he says: "They're the things I love. As a man, eyewear is one of the few expressive accessories you can have. I couldn't commit to doing (women's) ready-to-wear because it takes so much time. ... Menswear leaves time to make movies."

He also wants time to do more skiing, a hobby that he's grown even more passionate about. Don't expect to spot him easily on the slopes, though. Instead of sleek sunglasses with the TF logo, he'll be in a helmet and goggles.

Maker of two-sided tape markets sticky new product

Interest was fired up on the red carpet. When Jennifer Lopez created a sensation in a low-cut barely there Versace dress at the Grammys in 2000, the big question was, how did she keep it on? The consensus answer eventually was an old stylists' trick: double-sided tape called Topstick. It is usually used to secure toupees.

Now the Wall Street Journal says some clever fashion-minded women are finding other uses. Skirts are especially high in popularity, with sales up 5 percent this year, says NPD, the market research firm. So women are using the tape to paste the skirts to their bodies. Certainly it's annoying when you look down to find your zipper is over your belly button. You have to stand up and twist it back around with a quick jerk.

And now the company Vapon, which makes Topstick, is marketing a new product called Fashion Fix. It costs $8.95 and comes with 30 pieces of tape.

Of course, there are always safety pins.

Sock shoes are available in crushed velvet, chenille

In a world that's cold and tough, soft and warm has strong, comforting appeal.

That might be why the sock shoe has become so popular. It's carried in many stores now at affordable prices. It's easy to slip on, and you don't have to know exact shoe sizes to make it a gift.

Hue calls its products Shues Slippers and Feel Good Socks and offers them in crushed velvet, plaid chenille with faux fur cuffs or embellished with sequins. Prices run from $6 to $12.

Dexigner

Fashion's Folksy Year Dexigner - 19 hours ago ... hippy chicks out of us. Men were folksy too. A kaftan top with striking embroidery from Gucci. Crochet used to be your grandmother's ... Fashion's Folksy Year In 2005, fashion was pretty and accessible with folksy patterns and knits, with just a touch of metallic glam to make it interesting. It was also physically - friendly and forgiving with a nod to tiered skirts and flat ballet pumps. The colour of nature, emeralds and envy - the various shades of green sashayed their way into the top spot this year. Found liberally on a dress, or subtly on a wallet, green was de rigueur in the stylist's colour palette. From frump to trump, tiered skirts were the toast of this season. Whether as colourful Indian gypsy or plain virginal whites, this skirt hid a multitude of sins and made hippy chicks out of us. Men were folksy too. A kaftan top with striking embroidery from Gucci. Crochet used to be your grandmother's thing, but in the year past it came back in full force as trendy wrap tops, skirts and belts. Especially popular were the crocheted cropped sweaters, which did nothing for keeping you warm but looked good. Don't let anyone say you were wearing a tea cosy. It never really went out of fashion, although it's been chastened occasionally for being boring. This year, it came back with some force as black was touted the new black. Gold and silver went daytime, either as a subtle shimmer of a thread in a jacket or as bold as Source: thestar.com.my/lifestyle/story.asp?file=/2005... (16)