Any fashion lover would appreciate Tom Ford’s incredible rise from intern (yes, he was an intern at Chloe in Paris) to making the then-dusty design house Gucci profitable (after he was given creative control in 1994, sales rose 90%) to revitalizing Yves Saint Laurent (wasn’t there a time when you’d give anything for a Mombasa horn bag?) to starting his eponymous, highly coveted line. Then there’s his side gig as a brilliant Oscar-nominated director (he announced this week that his second movie—a thriller—is in the works). Oh, did we mention he’s showing his Fall 2015 ready-to-wear collection in LA today? That’s right, in Los Angeles. With that, here are 11 mind-blowing moments from Tom Ford’s glittering career.
Dear Tom Ford, We're your biggest fans. xo, TZR
Gucci: Fall 1995
This was Tom's first collection in his new role as Creative Director of Gucci. Fun fact: Tom hired Carine Roitfeld and Mario Testino to shoot this ensemble for the ad campaign. Between 1995-1996, Gucci saw a stunning 90% increase in sales.
Photo: New York Times
Yves Saint Laurent: Spring 2001
This look was from Tom's first collection as Creative Director for Yves Saint Laurent. The fashion world was immediately smitten with his take on the iconic Le Smoking.
Photo: Getty Images
Gucci: Spring 2001
Kate Moss in this iconic bustier dress was a major Gucci moment. It's no wonder Tom Ford won the CFDA's Womenwear Designer of the Year Award that year.
Photo: StyleBistro
Yves Saint Laurent: Fall 2001
Two major trends were set into motion during Tom's Fall 2001 YSL show: First, he reinvented the off-the-shoulder look, taking it from '80s-reminiscent to modern bohemia in one chic swoop. Second, his update on the peasant blouse was such a hit, the Madison Avenue YSL boutique had more than 40 calls in one day asking about it.
Photo: Style.com
Yves Saint Laurent: Spring 2002
This safari-inspired collection introduced the Mombasa bag with a horn handle, which immediately became a must-have. Tom Ford won the CFDA Accessories Designer of the Year Award that year.
Photo: Getty Images
Yves Saint Laurent: Fall 2003
This runway look was made famous when Demi Moore stepped out on the town wearing it with a beautiful accessory—her new boyfriend, Ashton Kutcher.
Photo: StyleBistro
Yves Saint Laurent: Fall 2004
This was Tom's last collection at YSL—the jewel-tone satin jackets with pagoda shoulders were a statement then and are still relevant now, proving classic silhouettes do in fact stand the test of time.
Photo: Getty Images
Tom Ford: Spring 2011
When Tom debuted his Tom Ford womenswear collection, he asked his glamorous friends to model, which meant Daphne Guinness, Julianne Moore and Beyoncé walked the catwalk instead of sitting in the front row.
Photo: Courtesy
Tom Ford: Fall 2012
Welcome to the cape heard 'round the world: Tom's favorite piece from this collection, it was chosen by Gwyneth Paltrow for the 2012 Academy Awards. It literally stopped fashion critics in their tracks.
Photo: Courtesy
Tom Ford: Fall 2013
This spectacular, embellished zebra gown was worn by Christy Turlington on the cover of Bazaar and by Rihanna in A$AP Rocky's music video "Fashion Killa."
Photo: Courtesy
Tom Ford: Spring 2014
Making a showstopping cocktail dress reminiscent of a disco ball is genius: Beyoncé, Kate Hudson and Jennifer Lawrence all wore versions of this micro-mini dress.
Photo: Courtesy
