I met Daniel Craig at Tom Ford

Sometimes life is about blind luck...



The day started out simple enough with my wife and I arriving in New York City to do a few errands and enjoy the crisp weather. As happens we found ourselves walking to build up hunger for our lunch which was still a few hours away. As we walked we realized we were by the Tom Ford store and as we hadn't been there since August we figured we would stop in. Actually, I have to give credit where credit is due...my wife pushed me to try on the SkyFall Glen Plaid so in we went. We were warmly greater by our good friend Mario Lopez with a hug as I began to start wandering around. We were talking about the collection when Mario leaned into me and whispered, "He's here...." For a Good ten seconds I thought he meant Tom Ford himself but he quickly corrected me..."no, David...Daniel Craig is here." Now I have to tell you his words did not process right away and I remember saying something stupid but Mario offered me an Expresso and my wife some water and we walked into the woman's collection. And there he was picking out clothes for his wife after building a small pile of clothes for himself. We were the only ones in the store and I tried to play it cool by following my wife around the collection. She was the picture of cool and collected while I tried my very best not to bust my eyeball by looking out of the corner of my eye. He was dressed in a jeans jacket, Levi's jeans and Skye Crockett and Jones. He was taller than I expected and let me tell you I will never compare my build to him again....the guy looked jacked. Ultimately we exchanged some nods in the men's sections, the type of nods of acknowledgement of etiquette. Now, this is the point where I didnt want to look like a stalker or creep or whatever but as Mario couldn't introduce me I was convinced by others that I should at least introduce myself. So, mustering up every bit of courage and destroying all shame I approached him as he was leaving. He walked right toward me ( probably because I was blocking his way) and said, " Mr Craig, I am a big fan and respect your work. Would you mind if my wife took a picture of us together?" He looked at me and smiled and said, " aw, you know...I would rather not". I replied back quickly, " I absolutely respect that...but just so you know thanks for the work you have done." He thrust out his hand and shook mine stating, " thanks, THAT I really appreciate that...take care..." And that was that. He was gracious and kind and I felt a pang of guilt interrupting his privacy but I knew this would never ever happen again, and as he has been such a focus of my hobby I had to at least greet him. I was a little gutted not getting a pic but knowing how he feels about pictures it was just as well...and regardless I have my brush with Daniel Craig. Very surreal. One last thing...this was all plain dumb luck. I had no heads up or call or notice...kismet.
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Comments

  • welshboy78welshboy78 Posts: 10,320MI6 Agent
    Great story mate {[]
    Instagram - bondclothes007
  • jon couragejon courage Posts: 129MI6 Agent
    Not often one can say they've met Bond, James Bond. B-)
  • Bond Collectors' WeekendsBond Collectors' Weekends Gainesville, Florida USAPosts: 1,902MI6 Agent
    Great story! Next time have one D. take a quick photo while the other D. is talking to the DC!
    Seven (007) James Bond Tours! Mission: Mexico!
  • NeverSayDieNeverSayDie Posts: 495MI6 Agent
  • ReturningsonReturningson Posts: 560MI6 Agent
    really cool. Its funny how different celebs appear in real life. When I met Will Farrell after helping his niece in a play at a local theatre I was shocked by how tall he was. Seriously, dude was a giant but doesnt look so on screen..

    Really cool you met Mr. Bond. Even cooler he was at Tom Ford to get outfitted.
  • The Bond ExperienceThe Bond Experience Newtown, PAPosts: 5,490Quartermasters
    I am actually glad Danielle didn't get a sneak pic of him talking to me....Craig seems to hate the sneakiness of those moments and I have a clear concience by asking him and respecting his answer.
  • Bond44Bond44 Vauxhall CrossPosts: 1,581MI6 Agent
    Good call and of course great timing! You probably played it cooler than most - would have been funnier had you been standing there in you best Bond kit! He might have said 'strangely you look familiar' B-)

    Of course the other option was to play dumb and seek his sartorial advice as if he was a regular Joe - that would probably have fuelled his need to tell you who he was :)) Especilly if you had let slip you were going for the classic DC Skyfall look :p

    I had that once with someone I genuinely had know idea who they were (although i kinda had i know the face feeling) and when I told my kids who I had shared my flight with they went mad and asked why I had not go an autograph or picture doh). Funny thing I was an extra on one of his series some years later! Its a funny old world.

    By the way and more importantly you never said - did you buy the suit? :D

    Cheers
    My name is Bond, Basildon Bond - I have letters after my name!
  • walther p99walther p99 NJPosts: 3,416MI6 Agent
    The Mantis wrote:
    He was taller than I expected and let me tell you I will never compare my build to him again....the guy looked jacked.
    It's funny i had the exact same mental reaction when i met him, i was like "damn, hes really jacked", doesn't he look alot bigger muscle-wise in real life then on screen?
  • The Bond ExperienceThe Bond Experience Newtown, PAPosts: 5,490Quartermasters
    I did not get the suit because they were sold out...would need to make from ground up...and by that time purchasing something was not even remotely on my mind. :007)
  • The Domino EffectThe Domino Effect Posts: 3,638MI6 Agent
    Great story and well done. I must confess that if I'd been there I would have completely ignored courtesy and protocol, barged past Mario, ignored the other client, strode forward, thrust out my hand and said...

    "Mantis! What an honour to meet you...I love your work on The Bond Experience, Bond Lifestyle and AJB..."
  • The Bond ExperienceThe Bond Experience Newtown, PAPosts: 5,490Quartermasters
  • Bond44Bond44 Vauxhall CrossPosts: 1,581MI6 Agent
    The Mantis wrote:
    I did not get the suit because they were sold out...would need to make from ground up...and by that time purchasing something was not even remotely on my mind. :007)

    You mean you let DC distract you! :D (made me wonder though if he is a lurker on this site)
    My name is Bond, Basildon Bond - I have letters after my name!
  • ReturningsonReturningson Posts: 560MI6 Agent
    i wonder what a "small pile of clothes" at Tom Ford would amount to dollar wise.... :D
  • The Domino EffectThe Domino Effect Posts: 3,638MI6 Agent
    i wonder what a "small pile of clothes" at Tom Ford would amount to dollar wise.... :D

    More than you'd get for Cyprus!
  • Bond44Bond44 Vauxhall CrossPosts: 1,581MI6 Agent
    i wonder what a "small pile of clothes" at Tom Ford would amount to dollar wise.... :D

    DC probably has credit anyway because if he is seen in any TF kit means they make a few bucks from him as everyone goes and buys the same kit!
    My name is Bond, Basildon Bond - I have letters after my name!
  • The Bond ExperienceThe Bond Experience Newtown, PAPosts: 5,490Quartermasters
    I do know he buys all his clothes, and is there multiple times a month. Seems like the type of guy that might insist on paying for his purchases.
  • Bond44Bond44 Vauxhall CrossPosts: 1,581MI6 Agent
    The Mantis wrote:
    :))

    By the way Mantis hats off to you sir penny just dropped that you are the dude behind the other JB sites i have been a long time admirer (any chance of a photo?).

    Frankly DC should have been asking you for a photo who did he think he was talking too! :))

    Respect to you sir!
    My name is Bond, Basildon Bond - I have letters after my name!
  • VinnyMacVinnyMac Posts: 246MI6 Agent
    That's a great story, and an experience that you probably won't forget. Thanks for sharing.
  • lilusakolilusako Southern California Posts: 311MI6 Agent
    Thanks for sharing! I don't think I'd ever have the balls (or be overwhelmed by adrenaline) to go up to DC and say anything to him. At least DC was very kind in expressing appreciation of your understanding... he didn't have to say anything at all.

    I've heard from acquaintances/friends in the entertainment industry that the camera always makes people look at least 10lbs heavier than they are on screen... maybe that's why we really can't see how built he truly is without seeing him in person.
  • The Bond ExperienceThe Bond Experience Newtown, PAPosts: 5,490Quartermasters
    Bond44, to give credit where credit is due Remmert owns and runs Bond Lifestyle...I was just the correspondent for him and did the video podcast. But he's the genius behind that site.
  • mrbond5150mrbond5150 Posts: 69MI6 Agent
    Ah man, sorry David about the pic (I can somehow feel the pain) but that is awesome! I was at TF and Mario told me he was there about 4 days before me. I got to give you credit, I could not approach him haha. I might throw on the baby face to maybe get him to take a pic. Do you think he would have signed something if you had a pen on you?

    I never know how to act when you run into a celebrity. I got to be honest, I somewhat got starstruck even through your post. If I ever met Ryan Gosling I'd probably have a heart attack.
  • Bond-on-a-BudgetBond-on-a-Budget ChicagoPosts: 101MI6 Agent
    very cool story! Mantis, you're a lucky man! :))
    James Bond: I tend to notice little things like that - whether a girl is a blonde or a brunette...
    Tiffany Case: And which do you prefer?
    James Bond: Well, as long as the collars and cuffs match...
  • The Domino EffectThe Domino Effect Posts: 3,638MI6 Agent
    Of course, this really doesn't help with those rumours that Mantis and DC are actually the same person. They have been at the same event on several occasions (red carpet in Hollywood, premier at Royal Albert Hall, Tom Ford NYC etc) yet never actually seen together. Very suspicious.
  • Bond44Bond44 Vauxhall CrossPosts: 1,581MI6 Agent
    The Mantis wrote:
    Bond44, to give credit where credit is due Remmert owns and runs Bond Lifestyle...I was just the correspondent for him and did the video podcast. But he's the genius behind that site.

    Fair one so you are the face of the sites while Remmert works in the shadows B-)
    Respect to you both for some great work on some top quality sites!

    Cheers
    My name is Bond, Basildon Bond - I have letters after my name!
  • The Bond ExperienceThe Bond Experience Newtown, PAPosts: 5,490Quartermasters
    Bond44, thebondexperience.com is 100% my site...as far as ajb I am just happy to be a contributor on threads as the site is owned by SiCo. Hope that clears it up... : :D
  • WardWard Maryland/LondonPosts: 195MI6 Agent
    TF isn't a huge store, and it sometimes has that "pin drop" factor, so I can well imagine the situation!
  • Bond44Bond44 Vauxhall CrossPosts: 1,581MI6 Agent
    The Mantis wrote:
    Bond44, thebondexperience.com is 100% my site...as far as ajb I am just happy to be a contributor on threads as the site is owned by SiCo. Hope that clears it up... : :D

    Yes it does for a novice like me :D

    Cheers!

    P.S just wish I had your expense account and understanding wife with all kit you have :)) if I told my wife I was just popping into TF in NYC she would have a fit! (ignorance is bliss I find) B-)
    My name is Bond, Basildon Bond - I have letters after my name!
  • WildeWilde Oxford, UKPosts: 621MI6 Agent
    Nice story. Although I agree that DC is fully entitled to his privacy (he is a professional, unlike those Kardashan's who have made their Faustian pact with the media/idiotic fans) I still find it funny to think that it's effectively the same actor I saw on 'Sharpe's Eagle' (See: Sharpe TV series) back in 1993. I doubt back in those fledgling days of his career he would have passed up the ego-boost of a fan photo-opportunity. Shame he didn't get to see your trade-mark grin, David! :))
  • othertravelothertravel Posts: 438MI6 Agent
    I wonder how he would have reacted if you said "Hey, aren't you that guy from Tomb Raider?"
  • ReturningsonReturningson Posts: 560MI6 Agent
    Or even better;

    "hey, arn't all Tom Ford sales people supposed to be dressed in suits? Eh, nevermind, do you have this in a 40 R" :))
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