Tom Ford
Founder, Tom Ford
The acclaimed American designer, now at his own billion-dollar label, is credited with injecting sex appeal into Gucci and YSL.
Born to realtors in Austin, Texas, Ford spent his childhood in Texas and New Mexico, before decamping for New York to attend New York University, majoring in art history. Quitting after one year, Ford acted in television commercials before moving onto Parsons, where he studied architecture.
Ford became creative director at Gucci in 1994. He and Gucci’s then president, Domenico de Sole, took the company public and — in a bid to avoid a takeover by LVMH — joined forces with PPR (now Kering). By 2004, Gucci was valued at over $10 billion.
However, after creative differences with the PPR management, Ford and De Sole departed the company. Ford settled in Los Angeles, and directed and produced the film "A Single Man," which garnered an Oscar Academy nomination and Golden Globe nomination.
In 2006, Ford returned to fashion with his own label, initially with cosmetics and menswear before returning to womenswear that had become his trademark.
In 2023, Tom Ford stepped down from his role as creative director at his namesake brand.
Ford and his longtime partner, Richard Buckley, have a son, born September 2012.
In March 2019, Ford was voted chairman of the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA), succeeding Diane von Furstenberg, who held the position for 13 years.
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What is The BoF 500?
The people shaping the global fashion industry, curated by the editors of The Business of Fashion, based on nominations and on-the-ground intelligence from around the world.
ExploreWhat is The BoF 500?
The people shaping the global fashion industry, curated by the editors of The Business of Fashion, based on nominations and on-the-ground intelligence from around the world.
Explore
The Miuccia-ness of Prada, the Gucci-ness of Tom Ford
Brand DNA is marketing speak until it isn’t, as the latest Prada and Tom Ford collections proved.
Tom Ford Drops Surprise Swan Song Collection
The collection is comprised of re-issues of Ford’s favourite looks from the past 13 years.
Does Tom Ford Need Tom Ford?
After this week’s $2.8 billion Estée Lauder buyout, Tom Ford, the designer, is set to serve as “creative visionary” at his namesake brand through the end of 2023. What happens after that?
Why Estée Lauder Bought Tom Ford
The designer’s makeup and fragrance line brought glamour, sex appeal – and sales – to the cosmetics giant. Keeping the magic in house was worth nearly $3 billion.
Estée Lauder to Buy Tom Ford in $2.8 Billion Deal
The beauty conglomerate is expected to tap at least one partner to handle the fashion side of the business, according to a source.
The BoF Podcast | The Genesis of the Modern Luxury Fashion Industry
Ian Bonhôte and Peter Ettedgui speak to BoF’s Tim Blanks about their new docuseries, which examines the formation of LVMH and Kering and how designers John Galliano, Alexander McQueen, Marc Jacobs and Tom Ford helped bosses Bernard Arnault and François Pinault build a ‘Kingdom of Dreams.’
The BoF Podcast | The Genesis of the Modern Luxury Fashion Industry
Ian Bonhôte and Peter Ettedgui speak to BoF’s Tim Blanks about their new docuseries, which examines the formation of LVMH and Kering and how designers John Galliano, Alexander McQueen, Marc Jacobs and Tom Ford helped bosses Bernard Arnault and François Pinault build a ‘Kingdom of Dreams.’
How Fashion Went Corporate: Creativity, Commerce and Collateral Damage
Tim Blanks talks to the creators of ‘Kingdom of Dreams,’ a new documentary series on how the corporatisation of luxury fashion made superstars of John Galliano, Alexander McQueen, Tom Ford and Marc Jacobs, and built gilded empires for Bernard Arnault and François Pinault.
How Fashion Went Corporate: Creativity, Commerce and Collateral Damage
Tim Blanks talks to the creators of ‘Kingdom of Dreams,’ a new documentary series on how the corporatisation of luxury fashion made superstars of John Galliano, Alexander McQueen, Tom Ford and Marc Jacobs, and built gilded empires for Bernard Arnault and François Pinault.
Tom Ford Steps Down as CFDA Chair
CEO Steven Kolb will serve as interim chair until the organisation names its next chairperson in the fall.
New York Fashion Week’s Revolving Door
This week, everyone will be talking about the opening days of New York Fashion Week and the start of fashion’s earnings season.
Tom Ford: ‘I Believe in Fashion, Absolutely’
Tim Blanks sits down with the American designer to discuss creativity and cancel culture, fashion and mortality, the future of the Tom Ford brand and his new book, courtesy of ES Magazine.
What is The BoF 500?
The people shaping the global fashion industry, curated by the editors of The Business of Fashion, based on nominations and on-the-ground intelligence from around the world.
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