No one understands sex appeal quite like Tom Ford, who joined Gucci as a womens-wear designer in 1990.
At the time, the internationally renowned Italian label was better known for leather goods than luxury fashion. It was also nearly bankrupt. After creative director Dawn Mello left in 1994, following a Bahrain-based investment group becoming Gucci’s majority shareholder, Ford was named creative director. The American designer soon infused the brand with a fresh sensuality and bold style.
Ford's potent vision of sexed-up femininity spanned everything from shirts to shoes to handbags and other accessories at Gucci — he reimagined the house's iconic double-ring-and-bar Horsebit hardware, a reference to the brand’s equestrian history, as a seductive low-slung belt, worn by Madonna when accepting an MTV video music award in 1995. For his fall show during that year, 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.
Ford also cranked up the seduction in the provocative ads for Gucci, particularly with regard to campaigns for Yves Saint Laurent, which the fashion house 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. Today Ford is also an author, film director and chairman of the Council of Fashion Designers of America.
Find vintage Tom Ford Gucci day dresses, jackets and shoulder bags on 1stDibs.
Tom Ford for Gucci A/W 2002 Runway Beaded Cross Necklace
By Tom Ford for Gucci
Located in London, GB
TOM FORD FOR GUCCI A/W 2002 RUNWAY BEADED CROSS NECKLACE Tom Ford for Gucci Beaded Cross Necklace. This iconic jewellery piece accessorised the majority of the looks in the Autumn /...
F/W 2001 Gucci by Tom Ford Runway Ad Black Beaded Feather Pendant Earrings
By Tom Ford for Gucci
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Presenting a pair of black beaded and feather Gucci earrings designed by Tom Ford. These extraordinary earrings from the Fall/Winter 2001 collection feature strands of long black beads and black fanned-out feathers. These ultra-rare earrings...
Vintage Tom Ford for Gucci Ad Campaign 18K White Gold Wrap Ring
By Tom Ford for Gucci
Located in Montgomery, TX
Vintage Tom Ford for Gucci Ad Campaign 18K White Gold Wrap Ring BRAND NEW GUCCI WHITE GOLD WRAP RING From highly valuable Tom Ford era White gold US size 6...
Molten MUZO Ring II 18 Carat Fairtrade Gold 12.44 Carat Emerald
By The Rock Hound
Located in London, GB
The Rock Hound x Muzo Emerald Colombia Molten MUZO Ring II Molten MUZO celebrates the organic flowing form of tumbled MUZO Emeralds from the misty mountain ...
Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold
18 Karat Yellow Gold Chrysoprase Boulder Opal Diamond Drop Dangle Earrings
By Joon Han
Located in New York, NY
One-of-a-kind drop earrings of chrysoprase, boulder opals and diamonds, handcrafted in 18 karat yellow gold. These vibrant apple green chrysoprase gemstones, designed with ocean hue...
Chrysophrase, Diamond, Multi-gemstone, Opal, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Go...
1 Carat Old European Diamond 'GIA Certified' on 18KT Rose Gold Ring
Located in New York, NY
1.02 carat Old European diamond certified as a J color SI-2 clarity (and eye clean to boot!) by GIA. It sits in an 18KT rose gold mounting. This ring is a single split shank, but t...
Diamond, Rose Gold
25.70 Carat Unheated Kunzite and Sapphire Cocktail Ring
By Sabrina Balsky Jewelry
Located in New York, NY
Sabrina Balsky Jewelry One Of a Kind Unheated Kunzite Cocktail ring surrounded with Pink and Green Sapphires and Millgraining Detail around Sapphires set in Rhodium Plated 10K White ...
Kunzite, Pink Sapphire, Green Sapphire, 10k Gold, Rhodium
33.50 Carats Blue Topaz and Emerald Cocktail Ring
By Sabrina Balsky Jewelry
Located in New York, NY
Sabrina Balsky Jewelry One of a Kind 33.50 Sparkling London Blue Topaz Cocktail Ring surrounded by Bezel set Columbian Emeralds in signature design in Rh...
Emerald, Topaz, Rhodium, Sterling Silver
18 Karat Yellow Gold Mirror Cut Beryl Morganite Sapphire Diamond Drop Earrings
By Joon Han
Located in New York, NY
Dangle earrings of mirror-cut beryls and morganites, with sapphires and diamonds, handcrafted in 18 karat yellow gold. 1 7/8 inches or 47 mm length. These beautiful one-of-a-kind ea...
Beryl, Diamond, Morganite, Sapphire, White Diamond, Multi-gemstone, 18k ...
Ammanii Green Chrysoprase and Zircon 18k Gold Vermeil Cocktail Ring
By Ammanii
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
The Queen statement ring is beautifully handcrafted from vermeil gold, sterling silver base with 18k yellow gold plating, in our signature satin finish with green Chrysoprase and han...
Chrysophrase, Zircon, 18k Gold, Vermeil, Sterling Silver
$7,300 / item
Aquamarine Drop Earrings 18k White Gold
By Karma El Khalil
Located in New York, NY
Aquamarine Drop Earrings in 18K White Gold featuring Custom-Cut Pear Drops of Shimmering Aquamarine Aquamarine: 13.11cts 18k White Gold: 5.78g From Karma El Khalil's Conversations With The Moon Collection...
Aquamarine, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
$7,500 / item
Lavender Quartz Waterfall Earrings in 18k White Gold
By Karma El Khalil
Located in New York, NY
Ethereal Ombre Lavender Waterfall Earrings in 18k white gold, featuring ten graduating custom-cut cabochons of Lavender Quartz. Each earring displays five cabochons of lavender quartz gracefully decending in to a single trillion-cut blue-violet Iolite point. 18k White Gold Lavender Quartz : 36.65cts Iolite : 0.19cts From Karma El Khalil's Conversations With The Moon Collection
Iolite, Quartz, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Dilys' 18.68ct Amethyst Drop Summer Earrings in 18K Gold
By Dilys'
Located in Hong Kong, HK
A pair of rich violet Amethyst drop earrings that carry the shape and symbolism of the Old World fruit, the Aubergine. In Chinese culture, it even represents good health, long life a...
Amethyst, Diamond, White Diamond, Purple Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, White...
Crispy Sparkling Opal Rondel Beaded Necklace with 18 Carat Rose Gold, Big-Size
Located in Kirschweiler, DE
This Exceptional Crispy Sparkling Opal Rondel Beaded Necklace with 18 Carat Rose Gold is totally handmade. Cutting as well as goldwork are made in German quality. The screw clasp is ...
Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Pink Opal Round Beaded Necklace with 18 Carat Rose Gold
Located in Kirschweiler, DE
This Natural Pink Opal Beaded Necklace with 18 Carat Rose Gold is totally handmade. Cutting as well as goldwork are made in German quality. The...
Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
1990s Never Used Modern Full Set Cigarette Holder by Gucci
By Tom Ford for Gucci
Located in Aci Castello, IT
This rare 1990s full set cigarette holder from the Gucci Accessory Collection is a pristine example of the house’s elevated lifestyle design from the late 20th century. The set remai...
Enamel
GUCCI By Tom Ford F/w 2002 Ebony Wood Cross Necklace
By Tom Ford for Gucci
Located in 上海市, Xuhui district
The Gucci Ebony Wood Cross Necklace is a striking piece that blends modern elegance with a sense of spirituality. This necklace is crafted from premium ebony wood, showcasing a dark,...
GUCCI By Tom Ford F/w 2002 Ebony Wood Cross Necklace
By Tom Ford for Gucci
Located in 上海市, Xuhui district
The Gucci Ebony Wood Cross Necklace is a striking piece that blends modern elegance with a sense of spirituality. This necklace is crafted from premium ebony wood, showcasing a dark,...
GUCCI By Tom Ford F/w 2002 Ebony Wood Cross Necklace
By Tom Ford for Gucci
Located in 上海市, Xuhui district
The Gucci Ebony Wood Cross Necklace is a striking piece that blends modern elegance with a sense of spirituality. This necklace is crafted from premium ebony wood, showcasing a dark,...
Gucci 1990 Tom Ford Signet Ring in 18 Karat White Gold with Jasper Ironstone
By Tom Ford for Gucci
Located in Miami, FL
Signet ring designed by Tom Ford for Gucci. A modernist geometric cushion shaped ring, designed during the period of Tom Ford as a creative director for Gucci. This unusual cocktail ring, was crafted in Firenze Italy in solid white gold of 18 karats with high polished finish Jasper Ironstone: Mount at top in a bezel setting, with 1 flat sliced cushion cut (20 x 19 mm) of a natural red Ironstone...
Quartz, Jasper, Gold, White Gold, 18k Gold
Gucci Pendant on Leather Strap
By Tom Ford for Gucci
Located in Palm Desert, CA
Great Gucci pendant, one of the best designs from the Tom Ford years. Sterling Silver with a gold wash, hanging on black leather cord with gold washed silver closer. (This has been ...
Gold Plate