Tom Ford

There is no mistaking multi-talented Tom Ford’s clean design and signature sunglasses. He has dressed many a prominent figure and won many a design award. Born in Austin, Texas in 1962, and raised in Santa Fe, New Mexico, Tom Ford finished his design studies in New York – however not in fashion design, but architecture, although he took a lot of fashion courses in his final year. By then he had a goal in mind – to become a fashion designer like his role model Calvin Klein, and the way there was to take him to Europe. He gained his first experiences of the world of fashion at Chloé in Paris, Perry Ellis and Cathy Hardwick.

He started at Gucci in Milan in 1990, initially as a women’s fashion designer. After rising to the position of Creative Director he brought the ailing Gucci brand with its collections and image campaigns back to the fore. Responsible for all product lines, he added evening fashion, sportswear and accessories such as sunglasses to the Gucci range, and his creations gave the label a new glamour. When Gucci took over Yves Saint Laurent, he created the collections for both fashion houses.

In 2006 the time had come for his own brand: Tom Ford. He brings out iconic clothing and accessories in an unmistakable design – including his stylish sunglasses: “I want to offer men the very best quality and service from head to toe. You can make yourself into an icon, once you know what you like and who you are. That is the difference between fashion and style. Fashion is all about in and out. Style comes from within”, says Ford. Tom Ford has already delivered masterpieces in a completely different area: The film “A Single Man” with the later Oscar winner Colin Firth is one of his outstanding achievements outside the world of fashion – and his sense of depth and aesthetic was impressive here too.