Tom Ford

Tom Ford: The Rise of a Style Icon

The clean design and distinctive sunglasses of Tom Ford are unmistakable, showcasing his versatile talent. Dressing numerous celebrities with his Tom Ford menswear and receiving a multitude of design awards, Tom Ford was born in 1961 in Austin, Texas and raised in Santa Fe, New Mexico. He completed his design studies in New York, majoring in architecture, although he had already taken all fashion courses in his final year. He now had a goal: to become a fashion designer like his role model, Calvin Klein, and the path would lead him to Europe. Before designing Tom Ford menswear, he gained experience in the fashion world at Chloé in Paris, Perry Ellis, and Cathy Hardwick.

In 1990, he started at Gucci in Milan as a designer for women's fashion. After rising to the position of Creative Director, he brought the struggling Gucci brand back to the forefront with his collections and image campaigns. Responsible for all product lines, he expanded Gucci's offerings to include eveningwear, sportswear, and accessories such as sunglasses, bringing new glamour to the label with his creations. After Gucci acquired Yves Saint Laurent, he designed collections for both fashion houses. Even then, Tom Ford was well on his way to revolutionizing menswear.

In 2005, the time had come for his own brand: Tom Ford. In his unmistakable design, he introduced iconic Tom Ford menswear and accessories, including his stylish sunglasses:

"I try to provide men with the best quality and service from head to toe. You can become an icon by discovering what you like and who you are. That's the difference between fashion and style. Fashion is about in and out. Style comes from yourself," said Ford when he was still the designer for his own brand.

Fashion-conscious and passionately dedicated to his craft, the Texan created timeless designs for decades that defied trends and represented maximum exclusivity – and still do today.

Masculine Purism in Its Finest Form

Tom Ford menswear is puristic, primarily using muted colours such as black, anthracite, and navy. There is a complete absence of bold branding. Only small fabric labels or embossments with the brand name can be found on Tom Ford menswear. You won't find wild patterns here either. Only tonal checks or textured patterns are a theme in Tom Ford designs. A characteristic detail on Tom Ford's bags is the XXL hardware, which gives the otherwise very simple weekenders and document cases a luxurious look. However, the focus is on the materials:

• Tom Ford sunglasses for men in aviator style, square designs, or with round lenses are made of high-quality acetate and protect your eyes with tinted and polarized lenses from harmful UV radiation. The exclusive Private Collection offers models with a unique factor: frames made of horn or covered in leather, perfect for fashion-conscious men. Each of these sunglasses comes in a hard-shell leather case lined with velvet. The hinges in the shape of a "T" subtly hint at the brand. The stylish sunglasses from the label are by far the most sought-after accessories from this established brand and complement Tom Ford menswear perfectly.
• For Tom Ford jackets and coats for men, noble natural materials such as cashmere, camel hair, wool, smooth leather, and suede are used. The unique texture of these fabrics and leathers contributes significantly to the luxurious quality of Tom Ford menswear. The brand's leather jackets, in particular, are pure luxury.
• The basics among Tom Ford menswear, such as t-shirts, polo shirts, and long sleeves, impress with high-quality cotton jersey, which has a good weight and feels pleasant on the skin. These essentials are a worthwhile investment in a sophisticated men's wardrobe.
• For business or special occasions, Tom Ford suits for men and the label's jackets are the perfect choice. Slim-fitting and characterized by clean design, they define the unique Tom Ford look. Models like "Shelton" or "O'Connor" have become icons of eveningwear, providing you with style and elegance you can rely on. The luxury brand's suits and jackets are best paired with shoes from Santoni for men, whether classic lace-up shoes or clean sneakers. You can add a final touch with a silk tie from Tom Ford.
• Tom Ford's boxer shorts and sport briefs for men are also highly popular due to their high level of comfort. They are made of stretchy cotton and feature the brand's typical branding on the elastic waistband.
• For jewelry, bags, and small leather goods such as wallets and cardholders, Tom Ford primarily uses fine calfskin with distinctive grain, giving these timeless and practical accessories a luxurious appeal. These accessories are an absolute must-have for travel and any impressive business look.

The End of an Era: Tom Ford for Tom Ford

In 2009, Tom Ford made his debut in the film industry and delivered a masterpiece: His feature film "A Single Man" starring the later Oscar winner Colin Firth is counted among his achievements outside the fashion world, where he also impresses with a sense of depth and aesthetics. The 2016 drama "Nocturnal Animals" also earned Ford a Golden Globe nomination for his directing. His passion for film and a personal, transformative experience – the passing of Tom Ford's husband, fashion journalist Richard Buckley, in 2021 – led him to leave his work in the fashion world, abandon Tom Ford menswear, and devote himself completely to film. In 2023, he announced his departure from the brand and handed over his position to designer Peter Hawkings. As a close confidant and longtime collaborator of Tom Ford, Hawkings now leads the brand into the future as Creative Director.

Who Owns the Tom Ford Brand?

Tom Ford sold his brand in 2022. Estée Lauder Companies has been responsible for cosmetics and fragrances since then, while the Ermenegildo Zegna Group oversees Tom Ford menswear. The popular Tom Ford sunglasses are now in the hands of the Italian Marcolin Group, specializing in the distribution and production of eyewear.

Even though the namesake Tom Ford has left the brand, Tom Ford menswear and accessories continue to embody puristic elegance, masculinity, and timelessness. Discover the popular sunglasses, suits, basics, and bags from the luxury fashion house in the online shop of BRAUN Hamburg.

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