Tom Ford

Born in Texas in 1962, Tom Ford has become the most influential designer of the last decade.

Tom made his move to the Big Apple as a teenager and enrolled at the NY University, in Art History, before changing to take up Architecture at Parsons School of Design in New York.

In 1986 he joined the creative staff of the famous American designer Cathy Hardwick, and two years later he became the Design Director at Perry Ellis. By 1990 Tom had moved to Milan and joined the team at Gucci, as Women’s Wear Designer. Within two years he’d climbed the corporate ladder to become Gucci’s Creative Director.

After Gucci bought a controlling stake in Yves Saint Laurent, Ford was appointed creative director. Ford says the secret of his success is his energy, and he only sleeps around three hours a night. His celebrity fans include the likes of Madonna, Bianca Jagger and Trudie Styler!

Tom caused a bit of an advertising stir with the promotion for his M7 fragrance. The campaign featured naked model Samuel de Cubber in a full-frontal pose. But as Tom says: "Perfume is worn on the skin, so why hide the body? The M7 campaign is really pure, it’s a very academic nude. I wanted to show a man who represents a natural and relaxed image of male beauty".

Tom also hit the headlines with his sensational Gucci ad, featuring a naked woman whose bikini line has been waxed into the shape of the letter `G`.

In 2004, Ford parted company with Gucci, after a disagreement over his contract, and rumour has it that his sights are set on Hollywood.