March 11, 1999
Web posted at: 5:45 p.m. EST (2245 GMT)

From Style Correspondent Elsa Klensch

RELATED VIDEO CNN's Elsa Klensch brings us a glimpse of Gucci's new collection Windows Media 28K 80K

MILAN, Italy (CNN) -- Tom Ford says he has pulled out all the stops in his almost over-the-top Gucci fall/winter collection.

The designer is no longer designing a matching outfit, but is looking on each piece as something to be mixed, played-up or played-down.

Ford's new pant is a bell-bottom, tight on the thigh and flaring boldly over the foot. The jacket is leather, and shaped like a second skin, while the new coat is opulent in printed leopard, teamed with red fox. With it all, he puts a high-heeled, high-rise skin-tight boot.

Ford says each piece is individual and important.

"There is not a boring, basic jacket or pair of pants or shoe on the collection," he says. "Each piece is important, and by important I mean it's really designed; there is something to it; it's sort of minimalist maximalism if that makes any sense. I mean each item is maxy but the way it's put together is very streamlined, and very minimal."

The designer says the close-to-the body silhouettes create a line that is both sexy and elegant. It is tall and thin, yet has a curvy look.

"Even though the silhouette's curvy, there is some movement to the fabric," says Ford. We've done a lot of pulling in and stretching fabrics across the body, so there's a lot of ruching, shirring, gathering, but still very close-to-the-body."

The line has many dresses featuring a new fuller-shaped skirt. "It's almost a peasant-skirt shape, however the way we're showing it, there's nothing peasant about it," says Ford.

The dresses have fitted jackets or looser tops, the bodice is still fitted though the sleeves are loose.

Ford uses a lot of leather in the line to create what he calls a "very luxurious" collection. There is also silk velvet, panné velvet, a lot of fur, and a little suede.

The hair and makeup have a very groomed, glamourous day look. Mouths are glossy and eyes are strong. It is a look the designer says is "actually attainable and that you could do yourself."

In an age when people work from home and communicate long-distance, Ford says he's created clothes for people to go out in.