Following a multibillion takeover deal with cosmetic giant Estée Lauder, designer Tom Ford announced his departure from his eponymous brand. Two days after presenting his ‘final collection’, ft the 90s supermodel Amber Valletta in a 13-year-old archival piece, the designer stepped down from the position of the brand’s Creative Director which he co-founded in 2005.
Peter Hawkings, Ford’s longtime in-house associate, will assume the role of the designer at the brand. Hawkings, who held the position of Senior Vice President of Tom Ford menswear, has been working alongside Ford for almost twenty-five years.
The deal, which took place in November 2022 for $2.8bn includes Estée Lauder handling Tom Ford’s cosmetics and fragrance businesses while Italian Fashion brand Ermenegildo Zegna will be responsible for all men’s and womenswear. It was mentioned back then in the official statement that Ford will remain as the brand’s creative visionary until the end of 2023 but his surprise exit has shocked many.
(Source- The Guardian)