History of Tom Ford in Timeline

Tom Ford is an influential American fashion designer and filmmaker. He gained prominence as creative director for Gucci and Yves Saint Laurent before launching his own brand in 2005. Ford expanded his creative endeavors into filmmaking, writing, and directing 'A Single Man' and 'Nocturnal Animals'. He also served as chairman of the Council of Fashion Designers of America from 2019 to 2022, solidifying his significant impact on the fashion industry.

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Full Timeline

1932: Thomas David Ford Born

In 1932, Thomas David Ford, Tom Ford's father, was born.

August 27, 1961: Thomas Carlyle Ford was born in Austin, Texas

On August 27, 1961, Thomas Carlyle Ford was born in Austin, Texas, the son of realtors Shirley Burton and Thomas David Ford.

August 27, 1961: Thomas Carlyle Ford Born

On August 27, 1961, Thomas Carlyle Ford was born. He would later become a fashion designer and filmmaker, launching his own brand in 2005.

1986: Met Richard Buckley

In 1986, Tom Ford met Richard Buckley, beginning their relationship.

1988: Ford Moved to Perry Ellis

In 1988, Tom Ford moved to Perry Ellis, where he worked for two years.

1990: Design work for Gucci and Yves Saint Laurent

From 1990, Tom Ford started his design work for Gucci and Yves Saint Laurent.

1990: Hired By Gucci

In 1990, Dawn Mello hired Tom Ford as the brand's chief women's ready-to-wear designer at Gucci, and Ford moved to Milan.

1992: Ford Took Over as Design Director at Gucci

In 1992, Tom Ford took over as Design Director at Gucci, heading the brand's ready-to-wear, fragrances, image, advertising, and store design.

1993: Ford in Charge of Eleven Product Lines

In 1993, Tom Ford was in charge of designing eleven product lines at Gucci, working eighteen-hour days.

1994: Ford Promoted to Creative Director of Gucci

In 1994, Tom Ford was promoted to Creative Director of Gucci.

1995: Introduced new ad campaigns for Gucci

In 1995, Tom Ford, as creative director of Gucci, brought in French stylist Carine Roitfeld and photographer Mario Testino to create a series of new ad campaigns for the company.

1996: Gucci Sales Increased by 90%

Between 1995 and 1996, sales at Gucci increased by 90% under Tom Ford's direction.

1999: Gucci Valued at Over $4 Billion

By 1999, Gucci, which had been almost insolvent when Ford joined, was valued at more than $4 billion.

1999: Named Creative Director of Yves Saint Laurent

In 1999, when Gucci acquired the house of Yves Saint Laurent (YSL), Tom Ford was named Creative Director of that label as well.

2003: Opposed US Invasion of Iraq

In 2003, Tom Ford opposed the United States' invasion of Iraq, stating that it made him feel "ashamed to be an American".

April 2004: Ford Parted Ways with Gucci Group

In April 2004, Tom Ford parted ways with the Gucci group due to disagreements over control of the Group. Gucci Group was valued at $10 billion when he left.

2004: Published Eponymous Monograph

In 2004, Tom Ford published an eponymous monograph, detailing his early career and his design work for Gucci and Yves Saint Laurent from 1990 to 2004.

March 2005: Launched Film Production Company

In March 2005, Tom Ford announced the launch of his film production company, Fade to Black.

2005: Career from 2005

From 2005, Tom Ford continued his career including the creation of his own fashion label and the production of his two films.

2005: Launch of Tom Ford Brand

In 2005, Tom Ford launched his eponymous brand after previously serving as the creative director at Gucci and Yves Saint Laurent.

2006: Launched Tom Ford Line

In 2006, Tom Ford launched a line of menswear, beauty, eyewear, and accessories named after himself.

2008: Designed suits for Quantum of Solace

In 2008, Tom Ford designed Daniel Craig's suits for the James Bond film "Quantum of Solace".

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September 11, 2009: "A Single Man" Premiered at Venice International Film Festival

On September 11, 2009, "A Single Man" premiered at the 66th Venice International Film Festival, where it was nominated for the Golden Lion. Colin Firth was awarded the Volpi Cup as Best Actor.

2009: Directed "A Single Man"

In 2009 Tom Ford made his directorial debut with the release of the film "A Single Man".

2009: Advocated for federal recognition of same-sex marriage

In 2009, Tom Ford advocated for federal recognition of same-sex marriage in the United States. He preferred the term "civil partnership" for both opposite-sex and same-sex partnerships.

2011: Michelle Obama Wore Ford Design

In 2011, First Lady Michelle Obama wore an ivory floor-length evening gown designed by Tom Ford to Buckingham Palace.

2011: Featured on the cover of Another Man

In 2011, Tom Ford was featured on the cover of the spring/summer issue of Another Man, giving his opinion on what makes the modern day gentleman.

September 2012: Birth of Son

In September 2012, Tom Ford and Richard Buckley had a son born via gestational surrogate.

2012: Designed suits for Skyfall

In 2012, Tom Ford designed Daniel Craig's suits for the James Bond film "Skyfall".

September 2013: Jay-Z releases "Tom Ford" single

In September 2013, Jay-Z released the song "Tom Ford" as a single from his album Magna Carta Holy Grail, receiving a positive response from Tom Ford himself.

2013: Mentioned in Suit & Tie song and Jay-Z's Tom Ford

In 2013, Tom Ford was mentioned in Justin Timberlake's song "Suit & Tie", and Jay-Z released a song titled "Tom Ford".

2014: Married Richard Buckley

In 2014, Tom Ford married Richard Buckley.

2014: Released Penis Pendant Necklace

In 2014, Tom Ford released a new product called the "Penis Pendant Necklace", which caused controversy due to its resemblance to a Christian cross.

2014: CFDA Geoffrey Beene Lifetime Achievement Award

In 2014, Tom Ford was awarded the CFDA Geoffrey Beene Lifetime Achievement Award.

2014: "Tom Ford" nominated for Grammy

In 2014, the song "Tom Ford" was nominated for the 56th Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance.

2015: Attached to Direct "Nocturnal Animals"

In 2015, Tom Ford became attached to direct "Nocturnal Animals", an adaptation of the Austin Wright novel "Tony and Susan".

Tony and Susan: The riveting novel that inspired the new movie NOCTURNAL ANIMALS

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2015: Designed suits for Spectre

In 2015, Tom Ford designed Daniel Craig's suits for the James Bond film "Spectre".

2015: British GQ's "50 Best Dressed Men in Britain 2015"

In 2015, Tom Ford was included in British GQ's "50 Best Dressed Men in Britain 2015".

2016: Voted for Hillary Clinton

In 2016, Tom Ford voted for Hillary Clinton in the US general election.

2016: Directed "Nocturnal Animals"

In 2016, Tom Ford wrote and directed the film "Nocturnal Animals".

2018: Tom Ford Referenced in Icedancer Mixtape

In 2018, Tom Ford was referenced by Swedish rapper Bladee on his mixtape Icedancer.

2019: Vegan Diet, Teetotaler, and Botox

As of 2019, Tom Ford adopted a vegan diet, became a teetotaler, and has been open about using fillers and Botox.

2019: Chairman of the Council of Fashion Designers of America

In 2019, Tom Ford became chairman of the Council of Fashion Designers of America.

2020: Thomas David Ford Death

In 2020, Thomas David Ford, Tom Ford's father, died.

September 19, 2021: Death of Richard Buckley

On September 19, 2021, Richard Buckley, Tom Ford's husband, died at the age of 72 after a long illness.

2021: Designed suits for No Time to Die

In 2021, Tom Ford designed Daniel Craig's suits for the James Bond film "No Time to Die".

2021: Published Tom Ford 002

In 2021, Tom Ford published a follow-up volume entitled "Tom Ford 002", which described his career from 2005 including the creation of his own fashion label and the production of his two films.