Published: 2022-12-12 ǀ Updated: 2023-05-31
Tom Ford Biography
Tom Ford (* August 27, 1961 in Austin, Texas) became world famous as a fashion designer after he significantly revamped the image of the then dusty Gucci label and helped the brand to an unparalleled economic upswing with a healthy dose of sex appeal. But the US designer has also made a name for himself as a filmmaker.
Vita
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Early years
Drops out of college in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, and New York. Moves to Los Angeles to work as a model.
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1986
Back in New York, Ford graduated from Parsons School of Design in New York with a degree in environmental design. His internship abroad during his studies includes a stint at Chloé in Paris.
Parsons School of Design New York -
In the following years, he worked as a designer or design assistant at the fashion houses Perry Ellis and Cathy Hardwick.
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1990
Ford moves to Milan to design womenswear at Gucci. In 1992, he is promoted to chief designer.
Tom Ford in Milan -
1995
Ford is honored with the International Award from the Council of Fashion Designers of America.
International Award of the Council of Fashion Designers of America -
1996
He receives the International Designer of the Year Award from the Fashion Editors Club Japan.
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1994–2004
Ford was creative director at Gucci. Here he is largely responsible for the image change in favor of more sex appeal. He was able to increase the company's annual sales from USD 230 million to USD 3 billion, after introducing comprehensive restructuring measures together with Domenico de Sole. He is responsible not only for all product lines, but also for the corporate image, marketing campaigns and store design. After Gucci's IPO in 1995, Ford is temporarily considered the largest shareholder among private individuals.
Gucci Turnover 1994-2004 -
2000
In addition to his work at Gucci, Ford takes on the role of women's prêt-à-porter designer at YSL, serving as creative director for fashion and beauty.
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2002
Ford becomes vice chairman of the Gucci Group board of directors.
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2001
After Gucci's takeover by the PPR Group, no agreement is reached and Ford leaves the company in 2004.
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2004
As a result of his departure from Gucci, he founded his own company Tom Ford with Domenico de Sole, offering men's fashion, eyewear and cosmetics (under Esteé Lauder license).
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2007
He opens the first flagship store in New York.
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2009
Tom Ford begins a Hollywood career as a filmmaker with his production company Fade to Black. His debut "A Single Man," starring Colin Firth and Juliane Moore, earns him his first Oscar nomination (best lead role). In 2016, "Nocturnal Animals" follows, the second film for which Ford received a nomination for a Golden Globe.
Tom Ford the Director -
2010
The designer presented his first womenswear collection at London Fashion Week.
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Ford has been in a relationship with Richard Buckley since 1986, and in 2012 a surrogate mother gave birth to their son. The couple married in 2014 before Buckley died in 2021 as a result of cancer.
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2020
Ford becomes chairman of the Professional Association of American Fashion Designers.
Trivia
- In "James Bond — Quantum of Solace" Daniel Craig wears a black men's suit by Tom Ford. His designs are always characterized by their slim cuts, a good fit with a narrow waist and square shoulders.
- The designer is publicly in favor of more sustainability and has designed a watch made of 100% marine plastic to draw attention to the issue.