Tom Ford
(1962 - )
Tom Ford was born in Texas in 1962. He studied interior design at Parsons School of Design in New York City. In his final year of school, he changed his focus to fashion design and completed his studies at the Parsons School of Design in Paris.
He first worked as a freelance designer for Cathy Hardwick in 1986; in 1988 he worked in the jeans department of Perry Ellis.
In 1990, Ford joined the Gucci Group N.V. as a womenswear designer in Milan. In 1992, Ford was appointed design director, and in 1994, he was appointed creative director. He built Gucci into a megabrand; producing and distributing high-quality products throughout the world in company-owned stores, franchises, boutiques, department stores, and specialty stores.
During his stay at Gucci, Ford created sexy, erotic designs, and is credited for reinventing the business suit for women. Masculine pinstripes were softened with halter tops and high heels. In 1999, the Gucci Group bought YSL Beaute and Yves Saint Laurent. Ford was nominated creative director of Yves Saint Laurent Couture. In 2002, Ford became vice chairman of the management board of Gucci Group.
In 2004, Tom Ford left Gucci to pursue his own line of beauty products in partnership with Estee Lauder. In 2006 Ford signed a deal with the Italian fashion house Ermenegildo Zegna to produce a line of men’s clothing, shoes, and accessories, all under his name.
