We wanted Tom Ford. We wanted him badly.

I led the creative team for the Tom Ford x Lincoln China pitch, laying out how Lincoln and Tom Ford—two American luxury icons—together could define “American luxury” for a generation of affluent Chinese consumers. And I produced a mood edit to bring to life the tone and manner of the campaign.

A member of the Ford family pitched Tom and his agent directly. After a few weeks’ consideration, he passed. He was focused on his own China strategy. But he applauded the work.

Though it didn’t happen, I loved the excitement and the stakes, and creating an idea that could’ve been legendary.