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...
Alex Jona Twisted Wire Sterling Silver Pendant Earrings
By Alex Jona
Located in Lugano, TI
Alex Jona design collection, hand crafted in Italy, rhodium plated sterling silver twisted wire ear pendants. Dimensions: H 1.9 in / 5 cm X W 0.81 in / 2 cm X D 0.12 in / 3 mm. Weigh...
Sterling Silver
Gin and Grace 14K Yellow Gold Ethiopian Opal Ring with Real Diamonds for Women
Located in New York, NY
Stunning, timeless and classy eternity Unique Ring. Decorate yourself in luxury with this Gin & Grace Ring. The 14K Yellow Gold jewelry boasts Cushion-Cut Prong Setting Natural Opal ...
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Talento Italiano Yellow Gold Flower Tassel Dangle Earrings
By Talento Italiano
Located in Stamford, CT
Beautifully designed Telento Italiano tassel dangle earrings. 18k yellow gold flower design with flower tassels. Stamped: Talento 12.1 grams Front: Top to bottom: 19.0mm or .75 In...
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Alex Jona Sterling Silver Basket Weave Pendant Earrings
By Alex Jona
Located in Lugano, TI
Alex Jona design collection, hand crafted in Italy, sterling silver Basket Weave ear pendants. Dimensions: H 2.04 in / 5.20 cm X W 0.78 in / 19.86 mm X D 0.11 in / 2.98 mm Weight: 8...
Sterling Silver
Chanel CC Logos Multicolored Beads and Faux Pearl Necklace, 2017
By Chanel
Located in Nice, FR
CHANEL pale gold toned necklace featuring multicolored glass beads, gold toned faceted beads, black resin beads, faux pearls and two baby pink enamel CC logos. Lobster clasp closure...
Gilt Metal
Alex Jona Gold-Plated Sterling Silver Link Chain Pendant Earrings
By Alex Jona
Located in Lugano, TI
Alex Jona design collection, hand crafted in Italy, gold-plated sterling silver twisted wire link chain ear pendants. Alex Jona jewels stand out, not only for their special design a...
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver
Exceptional Georgian Paste Earrings, ex. Lillian Gish
Located in New York, NY
Amazing Georgian paste earrings in the most extraordinary shade of lime green from the early 19th Century. Set in a scalloped 14k gold setting around each stone. Georgian earrings of this quality, scale and color are so incredibly rare. The faceting is exquisite. This pair unfortunately is not perfect. There is a little sliver of glass missing from the top point edge of one of the ear pendants. It is not very noticeable when worn but is visible when closely examined. There is also a chip on oval stone of same earring. The surreal color of the lime green glass paste probably has much to do with the minerals used its manufacture. These are minerals which are obviously no longer used so this color is not replicable. The original fittings have been changed to clips later on. In addition, these come from the collection of actress Lillian Gish...
14k Gold
Alex Jona Sterling Silver Link Chain Pendant Earrings
By Alex Jona
Located in Lugano, TI
Alex Jona design collection, hand crafted in Italy, rhodium plated sterling silver twisted wire ear pendants. Alex Jona jewels stand out, not only for their special design and for t...
Sterling Silver
Art Deco Reverse Crystal and Marcasite Earrings
Located in New York, NY
Attractive Art Deco reverse carved crystal and marcasite earrings set in sterling silver. Floral bouquets are etched into crystal drops and rose cut cabochons are used on the ear. A ...
Sterling Silver
Miriam Haskell Jet and Gilt Drop Earrings
By Miriam Haskell
Located in New York, NY
Miriam Haskell Jet and Gilt Drop Earrings from the 1980's. Adjustable clip back fittings with gilt faceted caps and jet drops. 2" x 3/8" wide. Signed.
Gilt Metal
Chanel Cruise 2011 CC Logos, Resin Beads and Faux Pearl Sautoir Necklace
By Chanel
Located in Nice, FR
CHANEL gold toned sautoir necklace featuring amber colour irregular resin beads, enameled CC logos, textured gold toned CC logos and faux pearls. From the Cruise 2011 Collection. L...
Gilt Metal
CHANEL by KARL LAGERFELD Faux Pearl CC Logo Necklace, 2012
By Chanel
Located in Nice, FR
CHANEL by KARL LAGERFELD pale gold tone faux pearl necklace featuring 3 CC logos. Lobster clasp closure. Embossed CHANEL A12 A Made in France. Indicative measurements : max. lengt...
Gilt Metal
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