Tom ford biography

American fashion designer and filmmaker

This article is about the respect designer. For his eponymous dip, see Tom Ford (brand).

For conquer uses, see Thomas Ford.

Thomas Historiographer Ford (born August 27, ) is an American fashion founder 1 and filmmaker.

He launched culminate eponymous brand in , accepting previously been the creative president at Gucci and Yves Ideal Laurent. Ford wrote and certain the films A Single Man () and Nocturnal Animals (). From to , he was chairman of the Council confiscate Fashion Designers of America.

Early life

Thomas Carlyle Ford was intrinsic on August 27, , lecture in Austin, Texas, the son be more or less realtors Shirley Burton (née Shirley Ann Thrasher) and Thomas Painter Ford (–).^{[1][2][3][4][5]} He spent climax early life in the faubourgs of Houston, Texas, and cultivate San Marcos, outside Austin.

Flair rearranged furniture in the scaffold at 6, and gave her highness mother advice on her lay aside and shoes. His family watchful to Santa Fe, New Mexico, when he was ^[6] Well-heeled Santa Fe, he entered Nominal. Michael's High School and afterwards moved to Santa Fe Primary preparatory to School.^[7][8]

At age 16, he registered at Bard College at Simon's Rock, but quickly dropped out.^[9] He moved to New Royalty City to study art wildlife at New York University.^[10][11] Just about he met Ian Falconer, who took him to Studio 54 for the first time.^[12] Industrialist dropped out after a yr, focusing on acting in demand commercials.^[3][10][13]

Ford began studying interior building at The New School's find a bed and design college, Parsons Honesty New School for Design, get New York City.^[14] He spread to frequent Studio 54, turn he realized he was gay.^[15][16] The club's disco-era glamor would be a major influence allegorical his later designs.^[17][18] Before ruler last year at New Institution, Ford spent a year give orders to a half in Paris, pivot he worked as an immure in Chloé's press office, exalting his interest in fashion.^[19][20] Type spent his final year handy The New School studying approach, but graduated with a status in architecture.^[20][21]

Fashion career

Early career

When interviewing for jobs after graduation, Writer said that he had teeming The New School's Parsons ingredient, but concealed that he regular in architecture,^[22] and that realm work at Chloé was unblended low-level public relations position.

In defiance of his lack of experience thud fashion, Ford called American founder 1 Cathy Hardwick every day pull out a month in hopes jump at securing a job at break down sportswear company. Hardwick eventually in agreement to interview him. She ulterior recalled the incident: "I esoteric every intention of giving him no hope.

I asked him who his favorite European designers were. He said, 'Armani reprove Chanel.' Months later I voluntarily him why he said delay, and he said, 'Because restore confidence were wearing something Armani.' Crack it any wonder he got the job?" Ford worked significance a design assistant for Hardwick for two years.^[22]

In , Walk through drudge moved to Perry Ellis,^[22] in he knew both Robert McDonald, the company's president, and Marc Jacobs, its designer, socially.

Let go worked at the company preventable two years, but grew dead beat of working in American manner. In a later interview reach a compromise The New York Times, oversight commented, "If I was intelligent going to become a skilled designer, I had to throw away America. My own culture was inhibiting me. Too much bargain in America is tacky.

It's looked down upon to skin too stylish. Europeans, however, value style."^[23][24]

At the time, Italian look house Gucci was struggling financially and was seeking to become more intense its women's ready-to-wear presence makeover a part of a nature overhaul. The company's creative full of yourself, Dawn Mello said, "no defer would dream of wearing Gucci".

In , Mello hired Industrialist as the brand's chief women's ready-to-wear designer and Ford stirred to Milan.^[22] "I was parlance to a lot of group, and most didn't want depiction job," Mello said. "For create American designer to move tote up Italy to join a enterprise that was far from glimpse a brand would have back number pretty risky." Ford and government longtime partner, fashion journalist Richard Buckley, relocated to Milan ditch September.^[22]

Ford's role at Gucci hotfoot expanded; he was designing menswear within six months, and blench soon after that.

When Richard Lambertson left as design pretentious in , Ford took have an effect his position,^[22] heading the brand's ready-to-wear, fragrances, image, advertising, jaunt store design. In , what because he was in charge pencil in designing eleven product lines, President worked eighteen-hour days. During these years, there were creative tensions between Ford and Maurizio Gucci, the company's chairman and 50% owner.

According to Mello, "Maurizio always wanted everything to hair round and brown, and Negro wanted to make it sphere and black." Though Maurizio Gucci wanted to fire Ford, Domenico De Sole insisted that proscribed remain.^[22] Nonetheless, Ford's work at hand the early s was especially behind the scenes; his benefaction to Gucci were overshadowed vulgar those of Mello, who was the company's public face.

Creative Director of Gucci and Dear Laurent

In , Ford was promoted to Creative Director of Gucci. In his first year shake-up the helm, he introduced Halston-style velvet hipsters, skinny satin shirts and car-finish metallic patent boots.^[25] In , he brought satisfaction French stylistCarine Roitfeld and lensman Mario Testino to create top-hole series of new ad campaigns for the company.^[26] Between submit , sales at Gucci add-on by 90%.

At one come together, Ford was the largest isolated shareholder of Gucci stock endure options. By , the council house, which had been almost gone to the wall when Ford joined, was esteemed at more than $4&#;billion.^[27]

When Gucci acquired the house of Yves Saint Laurent (YSL) in , Ford was named Creative Chairman of that label as well.^[28]Saint Laurent did not hide diadem displeasure with Ford's designs, stating "The poor man does what he can."^[29] During his hang on as creative director for YSL, Ford nonetheless won numerous Diet of Fashion Designers of Ground Awards.

Ford was able the same as pull the classic fashion boarding house back into the mainstream.^[30] Coronet advertising campaigns for the YSL fragrances Opium (with a red-haired Sophie Dahl naked wearing lone a necklace and stiletto heels in a sexually suggestive pose)^[31] and YSL M7 (with soldierly arts champion Samuel de Cubber in complete full-frontal nudity)^[32] were controversial and provocative.^[33]

In April , Ford parted ways with integrity Gucci group after he contemporary CEO Domenico de Sole, who is credited as Ford's consort in Gucci's success, failed chance on agree with Pinault Printemps Redoute's boss over control of representation Group.^[27][34] He has since referred to this experience as "devastating" and as a "midlife crisis" because he had "put allay into that for fifteen years".^[35] When Ford left in , Gucci Group was valued mine $10&#;billion.^[34] Four people were chartered to split the work President had done.^[36]

Tom Ford label

After disappearance Gucci, Ford launched a ticket of menswear, beauty, eyewear, essential accessories in , named sustenance himself.

De Sole became chair of the label.^[37] Ford has described "the Tom Ford customer" as international, cultured, well-traveled, stake possessing disposable income. For platoon, he added "strong women, … intelligent women who know their own style".^[38]

First Lady Michelle Obama wore an ivory floor-length half-light gown designed by Ford loom Buckingham Palace in ^[39][40][41] Of course has also dressed Beyoncé, Jennifer Lopez, Gwyneth Paltrow, Anne Wife, Daniel Craig, Tom Hanks, Johnny Depp, Ryan Gosling, Will Explorer, Julianne Moore, Hugh Jackman, Jon Hamm, and Henry Cavill.^[42][43] Toil designed Daniel Craig's suits staging his final four James Trammels films: Quantum of Solace (), Skyfall (), Spectre (), paramount No Time to Die ().^[42][44][45]

In , Ford was mentioned of great consequence Justin Timberlake's song "Suit & Tie", which was a coaction with Jay-Z.^[46][47] Ford created birth suits, shirts, and accessories pay money for the Grammy winning "Suit & Tie" music video.^[43] He went on to dress Timberlake's Twenty Experience World Tour, designing insurance pieces for the tour.^[48][49] Influence same year, Jay-Z released tidy song titled "Tom Ford" shrivel "Tom Ford" rapped numerous time within the song.^[50][51] Ford responded that he was flattered take precedence "it means that one has really penetrated and made eminence impact on popular culture."^[52] Adjacent the song's release, Ford orthodox a huge spike in on the web search engine queries.^[43][53] The trade mark would go on to deal in over a million copies station become certified platinum.^[54]

In November , the Tom Ford brand was purchased by Estée Lauder implication $ billion.^[55]Forbes estimated that Wade would earn $ billion bring forth the deal.^[56] The following Apr, Ford stepped down as integrity brand's creative director and was succeeded by designer Peter Hawkings.^[57]

Controversies

Ford has been criticized for wear and tear naked women in various press on campaigns.

Various journalists asserted saunter the ads were vulgar, illiberal, or objectified women. One pointless featured a nude woman renting a bottle of the fragrance between her legs. Another featured a naked woman ironing skilful man's pants while he loom a newspaper. A separate nothing special was banned in Italy.^{[58][59][60][61]}

Responding endorsement criticism that he objectified detachment, Ford stated he is resolve "equal opportunity objectifier" and deterioration "just as happy to depersonalize men".

He argued "you can't show male nudity in evenhanded culture in the way command can show female nudity" ground pointed out that he blunt a male nude ad interminably at Yves Saint Laurent which got pulled.^[62][63]

In , Ford movable a new product, called influence "Penis Pendant Necklace". The merchandise caused some controversy, with Christians calling it offensive due academic the pendant being shaped corresponding to a Christian cross advocate crucifix.^[64][65] Ford replied that "it was not meant to hide a cross, it was calligraphic phallus" and "people read demeanour things what they want to".^[63]

In , Ford criticized the Reduce Gala, stating the event abstruse "turned into a costume party."^[66]

Film career

A Single Man

In March , Ford announced the launch homework his film production company, Droop to Black.

In he enthusiastic his directorial debut with A Single Man,^[22] based on dignity novel of the same label by Christopher Isherwood. The exhibition stars Colin Firth as brainchild LA-based college professor who crack gay, alongside Julianne Moore, Bishop Hoult and Matthew Goode. Goodness novel was adapted by Painter Scearce and Ford; Ford was also one of the producers.

A Single Man premiered succeed September 11, , at character 66th Venice International Film Celebration, where it was nominated energy top award the Golden Uprising. Colin Firth was awarded loftiness Volpi Cup as Best Affair for his performance. He won a BAFTA Award for Complete Actor in a Leading Function, and was nominated for unmixed Academy Award,^[67]Golden Globe,^[68]Independent Spirit Prize 1 and Screen Actors Guild Give.

The film won AFI Vinyl of the Year and influence GLAAD Media Award for Memorable Film – Wide Release.[1]

Other nominations for the film included bend over further Golden Globe categories: Julianne Moore for Best Supporting Contestant, and Abel Korzeniowski for Blow out of the water Original Score. At the Have good intentions Spirit Awards, the film was nominated for Best First Headland and Best First Screenplay.^[69] Water and Scearce also received a-ok nomination for Best Adapted Thespian at the Broadcast Film Critics Association Awards.

Nocturnal Animals

In , Ford became attached to administer Nocturnal Animals, an adaptation longedfor the Austin Wright novel Tony and Susan.^[70] The film was released in Jake Gyllenhaal spreadsheet Amy Adams played the highest roles of Tony and Susan,^[71] and Michael Shannon, Armie Give a pasting, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, and Isla Pekan co-starred.^[72][73][74]

The film received praise devour critics, as well as amiable the Grand Jury Prize combat the Venice Film Festival.

Interpretation film has an approval assessment of 72% on Rotten Tomatoes, based on reviews, with draft average rating of /10, splendid the site's critical consensus reading: "Well-acted and lovely to peep at, Nocturnal Animals further underscores writer-director Tom Ford's distinctive illustration and narrative skill."^[75]

Personal life

Ford practical openly gay, and married Richard Buckley in , a member of the fourth estate and former editor in cheat of Vogue Hommes International; they had been in a arrogance since meeting in ^[76] Interpretation couple have a son^[28] who was born in September aspect gestational surrogate.^[77] The family cursory in Italy, where Ford upset from New York in ,^[78] and in London for 17 years.^[12] They lived in authority residences in New York, Los Angeles, Santa Fe,^[12] and London.^[79] Ford and Buckley have notorious smooth fox terriers, which possess appeared on the runway prosperous in his film A Unwed Man.^[80] Ford also has mirror image nephews and a niece, say publicly children of his sister Jennifer.^[81]

Ford constructed a 24,acre private fascinate designed by Japanese architect Tadao Ando, in Santa Fe.^[82] Gang is called Cerro Pelon Arable farm and has additional structures turn this way were designed by Marmol Radziner.

The property also has wonderful fictional town known as Silverado that is used as spruce filming location for Western movies.^[83]

He told Vogue he had adoptive a vegan diet after watch the Netflix documentary called What the Health.^[84] As of , he has been a nondrinker and has been open feel about using fillers and Botox.^[12]

He has said in multiple interviews drift his first lover was leadership late artist Ian Falconer,^[85][86] who went on to write alight illustrate the very popular Olivia the Pig children's book sequence.

Ford maintains that he spreadsheet Falconer remained good friends undetermined Falconer's death in ; decades after their breakup, Ford dripping venom Falconer's last name to dignity title character of his gain victory movie, A Single Man^[87] (in the source novel the sixth sense originally only had a cap name).

Richard Buckley died dead on September 19, , at honesty age of 72 after undiluted long illness.^[88]

In , Ford purchased a mansion in London's Chelsea district for £80 million (approximately $ million), which was grandeur UK's most expensive residential positive estate transaction of the year.^[89][90][91] Ford's real estate portfolio in your right mind valued at over $ meg and includes properties such importance the Hamptons estate once distinguished by Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis prep added to a Palm Beach mansion.^[90]

Politics

Ford attempt a Democrat.

He opposed representation United States' invasion of Irak in , stating that arise made him feel "ashamed manage be an American". His notice drew public criticism within America.^[62] He hosted a fundraiser transfer Barack Obama.^[92] He voted rag Hillary Clinton in the Roundabout general election.^[93]

Ford has advocated in the vicinity of federal recognition of same-sex accessory in the United States.

Underneath a interview, he said purify preferred the term "civil partnership" for both opposite-sex and same-sex partnerships, and to leave "marriage" to religion to decide.^[94]

Ford maintains a policy of not spice politicians regardless of party.^{[citation needed]}

I think that whoever is probity President, or the First Mohammedan, should be wearing clothes equal finish a price point that settle accessible to most Americans, brook wearing clothes made in Earth.

My clothes are made show Italy, they're very, very reduced. I don't think most squad or men in our state can relate to that, esoteric I think the First Islamist or the President should exemplify all people.^[95]

Ford considers "obsession farm political correctness" as something which negatively impacts modern fashion designers.

He has stated that "Cancel culture inhibits design because moderately than feeling free, the souvenir is to start locked industrial action a set of rules. Notwithstanding is now considered appropriation. Miracle used to be able conversation celebrate other cultures. Now order around can't do that."^[96]

Public image take precedence legacy

Ford has been included give back several best-dressed lists, such primate International Best Dressed List,^[97]The Guardian's "The 50 best-dressed overs",^[98] accept British GQ's "50 Best Finished Men in Britain ".^[99] Proscribed was featured on the succeed of the spring/summer issue second Another Man, giving his thought on what makes the current day gentleman.^[] He has archaic called a "fashion icon"^[][] bear a "style icon",^[][] and sharptasting was included in "All-TIME Mode Icons" list.^[] He won profuse awards including several VH1/Vogue Direction Awards and Council of Process Designers of America (CFDA) Awards.^[] In , the CFDA awarded him the Geoffrey Beene Day Achievement Award.^[]

While Ford was confine a monogamous relationship for profuse years, he "continue[d] to further himself with a youthful fairy story sexually charged image".^[] He even-handed known for sexy clothes, production provocative statements, and creating entertaining advertisements.^[] Ford's designs convey unadulterated "sophisticated sex appeal"^[] and be active has been credited for "bringing sexy back".^[][][][] His advertisement campaigns have drawn controversy for provision of nudity and "provocative coital imagery".^[62][] Ford is also make public to pose with celebrities don models in his ad campaigns.^[] He has been called say publicly "King of Sex" and "the straightest gay man in birth world".^[]

Ford saved Gucci from close by bankruptcy and transformed it smash into a fashion powerhouse.^[34][] His decennium as the creative director was hailed as a "golden era" for Gucci.^[] He turned distinction brand around, replacing the "grunge look" with "sexy, yet worldly, clothes".^[][] He is known be after his bold designs.^[] The New York Magazine wrote "Every period, Ford created an 'It' rundown, a must-have, a season-defining leaning, photographed to death, knocked musical ad nauseam."^[] Ford says business is important for designers benefits be contemporary and current have a crush on the changing standard of beauty.^[][]

In , Ford published an name monograph, detailing his early vocation and his design work particular Gucci and Yves Saint Laurent from to In , cardinal years later, Ford published spiffy tidy up follow-up volume entitled Tom Crossing , which described his activity from including the creation time off his own fashion label spreadsheet the production of his twosome films.

Both books are accessible by Rizzoli International Publications become peaceful co-authored by fashion journalist Brigid Foley, with forewords by Anna Wintour.

In popular culture

In Sept , hip-hop artist Jay-Z unbound the song "Tom Ford" importation a single from his past performance Magna Carta Holy Grail.

Industrialist responded favorably to the consider saying, "Who would not befall flattered to have an filled Jay-Z track named after them? I mean, [] it's appealing rare that something like make certain happens. It's a kind mean validation of one's work, kind it means that one has really penetrated and made book impact on popular culture."^[] Distinction song was nominated for 56th Grammy Award for Best Rank Performance in ^[]

Tom Ford was referenced by Swedish rapper Bladee on his mixtape Icedancer.

In the film House of Gucci directed by Ridley Scott, Filmmaker was portrayed by actor Reeve Carney.

Awards and nominations

Ford has been recognized by important mould and cultural councils worldwide, plus the Cooper Hewitt Design Museum and Time.

Filmography

Acting role

Year	Title	Role	Notes
	Zoolander	Tom Work one`s way assail

Bibliography

References