The New Tom Ford Era: A New Chapter in Fashion to begin at Milano Moda Donna in September
Tom Ford, originally from Texas, has a history deeply linked to Italy. During his time at Gucci in the late 1990s and into the 2000s, the American designer became a legend. After founding his eponymous brand, an empire worth over three billion dollars, the production of his clothes remained firmly rooted in Italy, thanks to his partnership with Zegna. Now that the brand has said goodbye to its founder, who has retired from fashion but not from the world of film, it is fitting that the first fashion show of the era of new creative director Peter Hawkings will take place during the next Milano Moda Donna in September. The Milanese season following the summer will undoubtedly be full of novelties. Tom Ford heads its sails towards Milan. The brand, acquired last November by The Estée Lauder Companies, announced that it will present its spring/summer 2024 womenswear collection in September during Milan Fashion Week. In the past, Tom Ford was one of the top names at New York Fashion Week. The fashion show for the new Tom Ford era not only marks a new chapter for the brand founded by the designer in 2005, but also marks the catwalk debut of newly appointed creative director Peter Hawkings. Prior to his appointment, Hawkings worked at the company and alongside the Texan designer for an impressive 25 years. He has worked with Tom Ford since his days at Gucci and held key roles in the eponymous brand, including the position of Vice President, before assuming his current position. Hawkings is a worthy heir to Ford’s tradition and language, having introduced, among other things, eyewear, leather goods and jewellery production at the start of the brand’s operations. Coinciding with Hawkings’ appointment, the new ownership announced the arrival of Guillaume Jesel as president and CEO of the brand. “I am honoured to be appointed as creative director of Tom Ford and to have this extraordinary opportunity to help write the brand’s next chapter,” Hawkings commented in a note. “Italian craftsmanship and excellence have been a source of inspiration for our collections, and I am delighted to present my first show during Milan Fashion Week.” This news follows the change of ownership of the fashion house, which passed to the American group for $2.8 billion (around €2.7 billion), but also marks Ford’s farewell to the fashion world. Five months after the deal, Ford presented his latest collection through a video celebrating the fashion house’s archive, re-presenting his favourite looks from the past 13 years. According to market estimates, the designer would have made around $1.1 billion from the sale of his brand, after taxes. After 25 years with Tom Ford, the new creative director will take over the baton from the American designer, serving as creative director for the men’s, women’s and accessories divisions. His debut show will be the women’s spring/summer 2024 collection, which will be unveiled during Milan Fashion Week. With Peter Hawkings, the brand has found the perfect creative director. Peter started working with me 25 years ago as a menswear design assistant at Gucci and quickly rose through the ranks to become the company’s most senior menswear designer when he left the brand to join me at Tom Ford,” said Tom Ford. Tom Ford was sold for $2.8 billion. With the acquisition of Ford’s empire by Estée Lauder for $2.8 billion, the Zegna Group, which holds 15% of Ford’s shares, will become the manufacturer and distributor of all Ford-branded products, with the exception of eyewear, which will continue to be produced by Marcolin, and perfumes and beauty products, which will remain in the hands of Estée Lauder. Zegna has acquired all of Tom Ford’s fashion business, representing an important milestone for a group that has expanded rapidly in the run-up to the initial public offering. In a recent interview after the sale of his brand Ford confirmed these assumptions. Ford replied that he simply needs to rest at the moment, considering the complex period of transition he is going through. She has had to deal with the passing of her father during the pandemic, the loss of her husband and former partner Ian Falconer, as well as the sale of her brand and the move to a new home in Palm Beach. Come discover the best of Tom Ford’s iconic creativity on Michele Franzese Moda.
