Tom Ford: Fashion & Style Conjurer
By: Boyd Davis
Tom Ford on the runway Fall 2004 Gucci Menswear show.
Photo by Giovanni Pucci

In 1997, when Tom Ford was 35 years old, he was voted by People Magazine as one of the worlds 50 Most Beautiful People.

On January 1998, he had his runway debut in the U.S. in Los Angeles for the AIDS Benefit where he showed in Fall 1998 collection.

Hollywood loved him, the press loved him, and the world's "beautiful people" loved him.

With the dawn of the new millennium, Tom Ford has kept his title as the IT Boy of the fashion world. His empire has expanded too, with YSL under his belt plus several fashion houses that Gucci has controlling interest.

So, what does he think of all of this? In a People Magazine interview, he quoted, "In the fashion business, everything is so temporary. Beautiful for three or four months, and then you're tired of it."

His reign as King of Cool has definitely lasted more than three months. He has been considered a top designer for five years now, and he has seen profits soar at Gucci. A great accomplishment when you consider that Gucci was faltering when he took over as Creative Director.

There was a scandal in the Gucci family and the label was considered "tired." He revitalized and infused new life in Gucci. He even survived a fierce battle with LVMH for a takeover on Gucci. He even found himself embroiled under scrutiny for being given stock options in Gucci.

In 2001, he won the much coveted CFDA Womenswear Designer of the Year and Time Magazine named him the Best American Designer.

Tom Ford also designs the YSL Rive Gauche menswear and womenswear collections. In short, he creates at least 8 collections a year for ready-to-wear for both Gucci and YSL Rive Gauche.

In this world of mergers and acquisitions, a very volatile stock market and an internet economy where stock options is a currency accepted in leiu of big raises and to ensure loyalty, this native Texan had held his head up high and continue to do what he does best - create clothes and accessories that the fashion world just gobble up.

In an unexpected turn of events, after months of negotiating with the new owners of Gucci, PPR, Tom Ford is stepping down as the Creative Director of both Gucci and YSL on April 30, 2004.

In April 2005, almost a year after he left Gucci, Tom Ford formed an alliance with Estee Lauder to create Tom Ford for Estee Lauder and Tom Ford Beauty. The first is expected to be in stores for Holiday 2005 while the latter will be availabe in Fall 2006.

Gucci Fall 2004 (Photo by Giovanni Pucci)

Gucci Menswear Fall 2004 (Photo by Giovanni Pucci)

Yves Saint Laurent Runway Shows:

News about Tom Ford:

Tom Ford hugging his longtime companion Richard Buckley, Gucci Fall 2004 runway show.