Tom Ford Departs Namesake Label
Designer Tom Ford announced the closing of his fashion house amid the online release of his Fall 2023 womenswear collection. In an archival video shot by photographer Steven Klein, Ford reminisced on the most prized looks of his 13-year old label.
Tom Ford: A Look Back
The 61-year-old, a fixture in American fashion and mender of the once bankrupt Gucci, is one of the most recognizable names in fashion. The Parsons graduate has a long history in the industry, working at Chloe and Perry Ellis before designing for a number of Kering-owned brands.
He also dabbled in Hollywood, directing two films including Nocturnal Animals starring Jake Gyllenhaal and Amy Adams. No creative director transitioned as seamlessly between fashion and film without sacrificing style or their recognizable artistic vision.
Ford’s most recognizable tenure was the role of creative director at Gucci from 1994 to 2004. The era saw rapid growth for the fashion house. Sheer shirts, velvet slip dresses and plunging necklines ruled the runway and balanced a delicate line between chic and sensual. Even now, the cult-like status his designs have hasn’t worn off. Articles brimming with nostalgia on the best vintage markets or Instagram accounts for Tom Ford’s Gucci still persist.
But what’s next for him? Departure or even retirement announcements hardly deter creatives, especially ones in fashion, from completely stepping down. Take Phoebe Philo, the former creative director of Celine and Chloe for example. She stepped away from the limelight before announcing a namesake label of her own in 2021. So, is Ford leaving the fashion industry for good? Or is this merely a transition period before taking the reins as creative director for another luxury house?
Whatever the case may be, it is the end of an era – one that gave America credibility among the swaths of European fashion houses.
Featured Image Via Tom Ford Website