Tom Ford Revolutionary Women Retreat From GUCCI's Luxury Brand

When Tom Ford departed from Gucci, he established his eponymous menswear brand and collaborated with Zegna to release a luxury tailored menswear collection. Alongside this, he expanded into fragrances and eyewear. However, the women's wear segment remained unexplored until now. In a past interview with Women's Daily regarding this matter, he mentioned, "Women's wear is something that needs to be introduced, but I don't feel ready for it yet. I must first identify an untouched niche. Once I figure out what to do, and menswear sales align with my expectations, I will revisit the women's fashion arena. This might take another two to three years."

Clearly, Tom Ford believes the moment is ripe for introducing women's wear. Planning meticulously, securing the right investors could take some time, but it seems unlikely to exceed the two to three-year timeframe he had previously mentioned. Tom Ford is nothing if not ambitious. As he famously stated, "I will never retire unless I die—I'll always be working." Since parting ways with Gucci, he hasn't taken a break. In early June 2007, his flagship store on Madison Avenue opened its doors, signaling his robust return to the fashion scene.

When asked why he started with menswear, Tom Ford quipped humorously, "Because I couldn't find any clothes to wear. The market is obsessed with catering to youth and novelty. What we offer are timeless pieces that defy trends."

Despite initial criticism when his line debuted, a New York Times reporter noted wryly, "A pretentious boutique on Madison Avenue is unintentionally amusing—a parody of British upstarts masquerading as gentlemen." Yet, Tom Ford remains unfazed. From the inception of his brand, he aimed to design without external influence. His clientele consists of those who share his aesthetic sensibilities. These men wear their attire like heroes in their minds: sharp black suits with broad shoulders, narrow waists, slim sleeves, pristine shirts, deliberately untied ties, and unbuttoned collars—a look that draws both criticism and admiration.

Even amidst economic challenges, his brand continues to grow. Recently, an Englishman purchased 23 suits from a New York store, and more Tom Ford menswear outlets have opened. Additionally, his fragrance and eyewear lines have garnered positive feedback. Perhaps the success of these ventures has bolstered his confidence to explore the women's wear market.

Like Karl Lagerfeld, Tom Ford consistently pushes boundaries. Besides designing, Lagerfeld also dabbled in photography and publishing, whereas Tom Ford ventured into filmmaking alongside branding. His debut film, "A Single Man," premiered at the Venice Film Festival this year. Explaining his foray into cinema, Tom Ford remarked, "Filmmaking is something I've always aspired to do. Life shouldn't be boring, and while the fashion world is fascinating, it's becoming increasingly uninspired. For a designer, creating worlds, characters, and lifestyles is truly meaningful. Personally, filmmaking is a goal I've long pursued, and it brings fashion closer to a business-driven model."