7 Fun Facts About Tom Ford

Fashion designer, multi-billion dollar business owner, filmmaker, screenwriter, family guy and more: this icon’s portfolio is extensive. And he continues to dominate the fashion industry still today.

Stick around as we uncover some interesting facts about this decorated American icon.

1. He Worked With The Best in The Biz

Before starting his eponymous brand, the American designer worked for some of the best luxury fashion companies in the world.

Early on in his career, Ford began as an intern for Chloé, under Cathy Hardwick, alongside other famous designers like Marc Jacobs. Thereafter, he worked himself up as both Gucci and YSL’s creative director until he had built a reputation and enough capital to start his own brand.

2. Tom Ford Saved Gucci From Bankruptcy

Despite building a luxury legacy over many years, Gucci experienced financial difficulty in the late 80's until Ford arrived on the scene in ‘91. 

The designer started working in the women’s ready-to-wear department and quickly worked his way up as creative director in ‘94. He soon made a name with his controversial designs that drew attention and created a big whirlwind in the fashion industry. By ‘99, the company was worth about $4.3 billion. Hence, many have given Ford credit for saving Gucci from bankruptcy. 

3. Ford’s Controversies

In the 90's, Tom Ford reinvented Gucci’s signature look for an overtly sexual style - but not without backlash. Here, Ford was criticised for using nude women in his advertisements. In 2003, he personally shaved a letter ‘G’ (for Gucci) into a female model’s pubic hair while a male model is on his knees before her.

For his own brand in 2014, Ford crafted a necklace in the shape of a phallus, which caused some controversy. Another risky ad campaign features a completely naked woman shoving a perfume bottle in between her breasts and another in between her legs. It comes as no surprise that these ads were banned in several countries. 

4. He is a Filmmaker

Besides his decorated fashion career, Ford is also a filmmaker and a screenwriter. His first movie, ‘A Single Man’, debuted in 2009. This romantic drama features Colin Firth in the role of a gay professor who contemplates suicide after his partner’s death. Thereafter, Ford directed ‘Nocturnal Animals’ in 2016. This thriller features Amy Adams, a gallery owner, and Jake Gyllenhaal as her ex-husband. Herein, Adams receives a manuscript written by her ex-husband and notices similarities between the novel and her former marriage. The film received numerous awards including nine BAFTA Award nominations and Golden Globe Award nominations for Best Director and Best Screenplay. 

5. He is A Perfectionist

Tom Ford is a self-diagnosed perfectionist and workaholic. Back in '99, while he simultaneously led both Gucci and YSL, Ford was tasked with designing 16 collections per year until he resigned from both companies. Today, he still balances his time between his films, fashion empire and beauty range whilst prioritising his family. He aims to manage his time well and uses his detail-oriented nature to carry his ventures through.

6. Tom Ford is Family-Orientated

Tom Ford is married to his life-long partner of 35 years, Richard Buckley. Buckley is a journalist and former editor-in-chief of Vogue Hommes International. 

In 2012, the couple fathered a son through surrogacy and IVF. Today, Alexander John ‘Jack’ Buckley Ford is 8-years-old and keeps his fathers on their toes.

Ford admitted that he had to rearrange his life around Jack, including toning down his OCD and relaxing his perfectionist ways. In fact, since having his son, the designer reports, “I’ve decided to age. Since we’ve had Jack I haven’t had a Botox injection or a filler. I haven’t had time.”

7. He Loves To Bath

Ford bathes three to five times a day! According to Vogue, he takes a bath at 4:30 AM; another at 9:15 AM, after exercising; again at 6 PM and before going to bed at 10:30 PM. The designer shares, “I find a bath meditative and [I] usually prepare myself for the day in this manner.” On stressful days he takes a bath every hour or two to cool off, saying “I resolve a lot of things in the bath.” And of course, Ford uses his own range of bath and body products. 

Since becoming a father, the designer compromises by having only two baths a day when his fathering duties takes too much of his time. 

Where to Shop Tom Ford in South Africa

Unfortunately, there are no Tom Ford stores in South Africa as yet. Luckily, Luxity stocks all your favourite brands, including legendary Tom Ford accessories. Visit one of our three physical stores; or be more socially responsible during the pandemic by shopping online now!