The story of Tom Ford
From fashion to cinema and back
He turned fashion into a language of seduction and power. By resurrecting Gucci and later creating his own empire, Tom Ford made style a tool of influence. His fragrances became cult icons, his films earned awards, and his aesthetic has always spoken of beauty and desire. Ford’s signature is unmistakable: he doesn’t just dress people – he mesmerizes them.
Early years
Tom Ford was born in 1961 in Austin, Texas. His love for beauty and fashion showed itself early: he gave his mother advice on clothes and hairstyles, and admired his elegant grandmother, who instilled in him a taste for luxury. At 17, he stepped for the first time into the legendary Studio 54 in New York. The glamour of the disco era enchanted him and shaped his vision forever.
After trying art history and architecture, Ford realized his true passion was fashion. His studies at Parsons and his internship at Chloé in Paris only confirmed it. Even then, he understood: style was not only about clothes, but a tool of influence and a chance to change the rules of the game.
Rising at Gucci and transforming the brand
In 1990 destiny brought Tom Ford to Gucci – a house in need of a bold savior. Once a symbol of luxury, by the early ’90s it had lost its shine: the collections looked outdated, sales were falling, and the iconic logo was cheapened by endless licenses. The brand was no longer considered fashionable.
Everything changed in 1994, when Ford was appointed creative director. He instantly gave the collections boldness and sex appeal: velvet low-rise trousers, silk shirts left open, provocative ad campaigns with stylist Carine Roitfeld and photographer Mario Testino. Within a year, sales soared, and Ford’s name became synonymous with a revolution in fashion.
photо: Instagram / tabvintage
Against the backdrop of the Gucci family drama, including the murder of Maurizio Gucci, the young American not only managed to hold the house together but also to restore its cult status. The second half of the ’90s belonged to “Gucci by Tom Ford” – provocative, daring, glamorous. The Jackie O bag, scandalous billboards, cult outfits – all of it made the brand the defining symbol of an era.
Ford was not only a designer but also a strategist. Together with CEO Domenico De Sole, he strengthened the company, shielded it from takeover, and transformed it into Gucci Group, which included Yves Saint Laurent, Balenciaga, Bottega Veneta, and the young labels of Alexander McQueen and Stella McCartney.
By the early 2000s, Gucci had become a billion-dollar business. But tensions behind the scenes grew. Negotiations to renew his contract broke down, and in 2004, Ford, along with Domenico De Sole, left the house they had rescued and elevated to the top of the industry.
photо: Instagram / cabmate
Building the Tom Ford empire
After leaving Gucci, Tom Ford returned to fashion as his own master.
In 2005 he launched his brand TOM FORD, beginning not with clothing but with accessories and fragrance – a bold move for the luxury market.
Instead of rushing into collections, he forged strategic partnerships: with Marcolin for eyewear and Estée Lauder for cosmetics and perfume. His first release, Black Orchid, became an instant cult fragrance and opened a new chapter in luxury.
In 2007 he introduced a menswear line and opened his flagship store in New York. His suits and tuxedos were quickly chosen by Hollywood stars – and James Bond himself, played by Daniel Craig. He returned to womenswear only in 2010, after his debut in cinema. And the comeback was spectacular: a closed-door show in New York with Beyoncé, Julianne Moore, and Marisa Berenson on the runway. The collection underlined his philosophy: fashion should be timeless, not about fleeting trends.
Within its first decade, TOM FORD grew into a global empire with boutiques worldwide and a billion-dollar turnover. His fragrances and cosmetics became symbols of modern luxury, his clothing a form of power and seduction. In 2019 Ford was elected chairman of the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA), confirming his status as one of the most influential figures in fashion.
photо: Instagram / tomford
From runway to cinema
In April 2023 Tom Ford officially stepped down as creative director of his own brand, closing a chapter that had lasted nearly twenty years. His departure coincided with one of the biggest deals in fashion: Estée Lauder acquired TOM FORD for $2.8 billion, securing Ford’s billionaire status and writing his name into history.
photо: Instagram / tomford
For Ford, it was less a farewell than a transition. He had always said he didn’t want to be trapped in the relentless cycle of collections. Now he could focus on what truly inspired him – cinema.
photо: Instagram / tomford
Ford had already proved his talent as a filmmaker. “A Single Man” and “Nocturnal Animals” won critical acclaim and prestigious awards, and his visual style in cinema is as recognizable as it was at Gucci or Tom Ford. In every frame lies the same obsessive precision, sensuality, and attention to detail that made him a legendary designer.
