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 /...
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...
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...
Faye Kim 18K Gold Emerald Bezel Ring, Contemporary Design, Size 7
By Faye Kim
Located in Darien, CT
Faye Kim has created this striking 18 Karat Gold Emerald Bezel Ring, ideal as an engagement ring, statement ring, or for layering with other rings. Emerald .76 cts Shank 5.3mm Size...
Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold
20.41 Carats Diamond, Emerald, Opal, and Onyx Drop Earrings in Art-Deco Style
By Gems Paradise
Located in Jaipur, IN
20.41 Carats Diamond, Emerald, and Black Onyx Drop Earrings in Art-Deco Style If artistic pieces of jewelry is your type of style quotient then grabbing your hands on these scintill...
Diamond, Emerald, Onyx, 14k Gold, Silver
Double Strand Pearl and Diamond Yellow Gold Necklace
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A fine and impressive vintage double strand cultured pearl necklace with an antique 0.84 carat diamond and natural pearl, 14 karat yellow gold, platinum set clasp; part of our diverse pearl jewelry collection. This impressive vintage double strand pearl necklace...
Diamond, Cultured Pearl, Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
9.94 Carats Oval-Cut Blue Sapphires and Diamond Cluster Drop Earrings
By Gems Paradise
Located in Jaipur, IN
9.94 Carats Oval-Cut Blue Sapphires and Diamond Cluster Drop Earrings This Victorian-era art-deco style elegant oxford blue sapphire and diamond cluster long hanging earring...
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
Wendy Brandes Fancy-Cut 2.54 Carat Black Diamond Skull Earrings
By Wendy Brandes
Located in New York, NY
These earrings combine the ancient jewelry concept of Memento Mori with modern-day gem-cutting technologies in the form of black diamonds cut into skull shapes. This set is one of th...
Diamond, White Diamond, Black Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Diamond Drop Halo Dangle Gold Earrings
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
A luxurious pair of diamond gold earrings with 3 diamond studded gold drops. The total diamond weight is 3.44 carats, round brilliant cuts. These 18K white gold earrings are truly fo...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Pearls Pearls Pearls Gorgeous Magnificent Natural Pearls 21" Necklace
By Aria Jewelry Design
Located in Raleigh, NC
These natural real absolutely gorgeous multi-color Pearls are enhanced by teeny tiny little real Amethyst spacers. The clasp is an easy to use silver hook clasp. The largest ones a...
Amethyst, Natural Pearl, Silver
Aria Jewelry Design 17in Goldy-Brown Pearl & Shell Necklace, New
By Aria Jewelry Design
Located in Raleigh, NC
This wonderful necklace is 17 inches long. It is composed of round natural goldy-brown approximately 10mm Pearls and natural irregular Pearl shells. The clasp is a gold plated easy...
Pearl, Gold Plate
Faceted Lapis Lazuli Beaded Necklace with 22K Gold Spears
By Deborah Lockhart Phillips
Located in Nantucket, MA
A fabulous beaded necklace with round faceted, natural lapis lazuli interspersed with 22K gold spears from India with fine workmanship. Designed by Deborah Lockhart Phillips. Spears...
Lapis Lazuli, 22k Gold
Victor Mayer Ring Peacock Light Grey Enamel 18k Rose Gold 8 Diamonds 0.16 ct
By Victor Mayer
Located in Pforzheim, DE
Victor Mayer Peacock Light Grey Enamel Ring in Rose Gold with 8 Diamonds Ring Peacock, 18k RG, vitreous enamel, 8 diamonds total 0.16 ct, G VS brilliant...
Diamond, Tourmaline, Enamel, Rose Gold
Different Sizes of Natural Real Prehnite and Jade 21" Necklace
By Aria Jewelry Design
Located in Raleigh, NC
Both the beautiful green Prehnites and the little tiny Jades are all real gemstones. The necklace is 21 inches long. The largest Jades are approximately 30mm. The clasp is an easy...
Jade, Silver
Wendy Brandes 18K Yellow Gold Arrowhead Drop Earrings
By Wendy Brandes
Located in New York, NY
The arrowheads were cast directly from an arrowhead that Wendy found in the backyard of her childhood home in the 1970s. The asymmetry is intentional, to reflect the original artifac...
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow 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