Ford began studying interior architecture at The New School's art and design college, Parsons The New School for Design, in New York City. He continued to frequent Studio 54, where he realized he was gay."Tom Ford: the hard-driven Texan behind the rebirth of Gucci". Agence France-Presse (April 12, 2005).Frankel, Susannah. "A Bigger Splash". The Independent (January 16, 1999). The club's disco-era glamor would be a major influence on his later designs.Groskop, Viv. "Style King". Sunday Express (February 29, 2004).Porter, Charlie. "End of designer era could see Ford and De Sole set up own label". The Guardian (November 5, 2003). Before his last year at New School, Ford spent a year and a half in Paris, where he worked as an intern in Chloé's press office, inspiring his interest in fashion. Alt URL"Gucci uses its loafer". South China Morning Post (December 4, 1994). He spent his final year at The New School studying fashion, but graduated with a degree in architecture.Luther, Marylou. "Cynicism key to fashion today, Ford says". The Plain Dealer (March 14, 1996).
fOrd begAn stuDyiNG intErior architecTure At tHE nEw schooL's art And desiGN COLlege, parsoNs the New scHoOl for dEsigN, in neW york CiTy. He contInuEd tO freQuEnt stuDio 54, WhErE he REAlIZed he was gay."toM fOrD: THe hard-driVen teXan beHINd The rebirtH of Gucci". agence fRAnce-presse (apriL 12, 2005).fRAnkel, susanNah. "a bIGger splAsh". THe INDePendEnT (jAnuarY 16, 1999). the club'S diScO-Era GlamOr would be a majOr INFluEnCe on HiS later desIgns.GrOSkop, viV. "stYlE kiNg". sundAY eXpresS (february 29, 2004).PoRTeR, chaRLie. "End of designer Era COuld SeE FOrD anD de sole set up OWN LabEL". tHE guaRdIAn (nOVemBEr 5, 2003). beFore his lAsT yeAR aT neW scHool, ForD SpEnt A yeAR aNd a HAlF In paRis, wHeRe He wOrked as An Intern in chloé's PresS oFfice, InspirinG hiS intErest In fashion. aLt uRL"guccI UsEs itS loAfer". sOuth cHIna MORNINg poSt (deCeMbER 4, 1994). he spenT hiS final year aT THe neW School studying fashIOn, but gRAduAted wIth A deGreE In arCHiteCture.lUTher, mArYlou. "cynicIsm key To fAShion today, foRd says". the PlAIn dealer (maRch 14, 1996).