Tom Ford 2017

No one understands sex appeal quite like American designer Tom Ford.

An avowed perfectionist from an early age, Ford was rearranging furniture at the age of six and offering his mother advice on her hair and shoes. The designer, author, film director and chairman of the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) is one of the most successful people working in fashion today.

Born in Austin, Texas, Ford grew up in the suburbs of Houston and Santa Fe, New Mexico. He briefly attended New York University, where he studied art history before dropping out to pursue acting. He became a regular at Studio 54, with its decadent nightlife later informing his high-octane fashion. He studied architecture at Parsons School of Design before shifting his focus to fashion and spending time at the Parsons Paris campus, graduating in 1985. The rest of the decade he worked for designers Perry Ellis and Cathy Hardwick. In 1990, Gucci’s creative director Dawn Mello hired him as a womens-wear designer.

At the time, the Italian label was better known for leather goods than luxury fashion. It was also nearly bankrupt. After Mello left in 1994, following a Bahrain-based investment group becoming Gucci’s majority shareholder, Ford was named creative director. He soon infused the brand with a fresh sensuality and bold style. His fall 1995 show, in which Kate Moss walked down the runway in an unbuttoned satin shirt, velvet hip-huggers and tousled hair, heralded an exciting, glammed-up era for the once fusty brand. Vogue critic Sarah Mower called it “one of those hitting-in-the-solar-plexus moments.”

As Ford shot to fame, he continued to explore plunging necklines, such as in the black and white looks of the Fall 1996 collection, and sumptuous fabrics like leather and tweed, with the Fall 2000 ready-to-wear collection ranging from sultry silk evening dresses to plush belted coats. He also cranked up the seduction in the provocative ads for the fashion house, particularly with regard to campaigns for Yves Saint Laurent, which Gucci acquired in 1999 (Ford was also named creative director for YSL and designed the brand’s ready-to-wear collection). Gucci's Fall/Winter 1997 campaign featured Carolyn Murphy grasping Angela Lindvall in what looked like a video still; in another shot, a face pressed against a foot in a lipstick-red heel. Each promoted a vision of modern fashion where women were sexually confident, the materials were luxurious and the styles were fearless.

In 2004, Ford and Gucci president Domenico De Sole left the company after failing to agree on the renewal of their contracts. In 2006, with De Sole as chairman, Ford launched his wildly successful eponymous menswear label. The brand has expanded into womens wear, beauty, accessories — vintage Tom Ford handbags are universally adored by celebrities and collectors alike — as well as eyewear and fragrance, with the unisex Black Orchid introduced in 2006. Ford broke into film directing with the critically acclaimed A Single Man in 2009 and Nocturnal Animals in 2016, continuing to blur the boundaries between fashion and culture.

Find vintage Tom Ford day dresses, purses, shoes and other clothing and accessories now on 1stDibs.

While vintage and designer ties have evolved over the years, they are still a must-have style accessory for any wardrobe. Today, ties can be found in a range of fabrics, colors, shapes and sizes.

Ties have been a part of fashion for centuries. The popularity of neckties emerged in the 17th century in Paris, inspired by the ties Croatian mercenaries wore to keep their jackets closed. King Louis XIV started wearing a lace cravat and a fashion craze was born.

The rise of casual wear in the early 20th century saw changes in the design of ties. The Roaring Twenties and its Art Deco movement were landmarks in American men’s fashion. In 1924, tailor Jesse Langsdorf innovated a design with 45-degree angles and a three-piece construction, resulting in the modern necktie.

During the 1950s, the tie was an essential component of a tailored suit. The 1960s and ’70s were decades for breaking all the fashion rules. Ties were no exception, with styles becoming wider and brightly colored.

Today, while the necktie endures as a staple of menswear, this accessory isn’t bound by outdated gender conventions. Designers and luxury houses such as Christian Dior, Giorgio Armani, Hermès and Luciano Barbera have all made their mark with patterned silk neckties that appeal to everyone.

A vintage silk tie is an evergreen accessory, while an understated black tie is always going to come in and out of your wardrobe. Browse 1stDibs for a large selection of vintage and designer ties.