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...
Hubei Turquoise Bead Necklace with Diamond White Gold 14 Karat Clasp
Located in Milford, DE
An exquisite hubei turquoise bead necklace featuring a single strand of 20mm turquoise beads in gorgeous teal, green, and earth tones....
14k Gold, White Gold
Picchiotti 18 Karat White Gold, Cascading Diamond Heart Drop Earrings
By Picchiotti
Located in New York, NY
These gorgeous graduating diamond heart drops are handcrafted by the renowned Italian designer PIcchiotti. Set in 18kt white gold, these 3" long cascading...
Diamond, 18k Gold
Trillion Purple Amethyst Diamond Band Ring 14k Yellow Gold
Located in Honolulu, HI
Ring Specifications: Metal: 14k Yellow Gold Total Weight: 4.1 Grams Diamond Count: 1 Diamond Clarity: I1 Diamond Color: I Gemstone: 2 trillion cut amethyst Amethyst C...
Amethyst, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Men's Oval Green Water Jade and 6 Diamond Ring, 14K Yellow Gold
Located in Honolulu, HI
Men's Oval Green Water Jadeite Jade and 6 Diamond Ring in 14k Yellow Gold. This stunning jade has a one-of-a-kind color with beautiful translucency. The...
Diamond, Jade, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
18 Karat Yellow Gold Rough Morganite Pink Opal Diamond Drop Dangle Earrings
By Joon Han
Located in New York, NY
One-of-a-kind dangle earrings of rough pink morganites and cabochon pink opal drops with natural black matrix, accented by white diamonds. Handcrafted in 18 karat yellow gold. These stunning pink and black earrings make a glamorous statement when worn. The unique matrix of the pink opals gives it a sophisticated flair and the natural rough morganites...
Diamond, Morganite, Multi-gemstone, Opal, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yello...
Oval Cabochon Green Jade Ring Satin Finish 14K Yellow Gold
Located in Honolulu, HI
Item Specifications: Metal: 14k Yellow Gold Style: Statement Ring Ring Size: 8.5 (resizing available for a fee) Total Weight: 9.8 Grams Gemstone Specifications: Center Gemston...
Jade, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
14.55 Carat Fancy Grey Diamond 18 Karat Gold Earrings
By Meghna Jewels
Located in Hoffman Estate, IL
These stunning drop earrings features fancy grey natural diamonds and enhanced with brilliant cut diamonds. Handmade in 18-karat gold and 14.55 carats diamo...
Diamond, 18k Gold
Antique Coral Turquoise Necklace Native American Indian 29 Inch Navajo Pueblo
Located in New York, NY
THIS IS A MAGNIFICENT ANTIQUE PUEBLO OR NAVAJO NATIVE AMERICAN INDIAN NATURAL TURQUOISE AND CORAL NECKLACE WITH FANTASTIC EARLY NATURAL TURQUOISE AND CORAL OF EXQUISITE COLOR. THE R...
Coral, Turquoise, Silver
Diamond Black Onyx Torpedo Dangle Earrings 14K White Gold 1.5 Inch Art Deco
Located in New York, NY
INDULGE IN A WONDERFUL PAIR OF DIAMOND AND BLACK ONYX TORPEDO DANGLE DROP EARRINGS IN 14 KARAT WHITE GOLD. THE ART DECO STYLE EARRINGS ARE A DRAMATIC 1 1/2 INCHES LONG. The earrings...
Onyx, Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
Pearl Rosario Necklace 14k Gold Virgin Mary Cross J Dauphin
By J DAUPHIN
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Natural White Mini Pearl Rosario Necklace 14k Gold Virgin Mary Cross Designer J DAUPHIN The White Mini Pearl Rosario Necklace is a premier sculptural statement piece by J DAUPHIN pr...
Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Moonstone Ring Black Enamel Coctail Ring Gold Plated J Dauphin
By J DAUPHIN
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Natural Moonstone Black Enamel Cocktail Ring 14k Gold Plated Statement Ring Designer: J Dauphin The Moonstone Ring is a structural statement piece handcrafted in 14k gold-plated bra...
Moonstone, 14k Gold, Gold Plate, Enamel
$15,500 / set
H 18 in W 1.5 in D 0.5 in Dm 1.5 in L 18 in
Italian 18K Gold Amethyst Turquoise Diamond Demi-Parure Suite, Necklace Earrings
Located in Plantation, FL
The suite is composed of luminous cabochon amethyst beads of varying graduated sizes, interspersed with vibrant turquoise spheres and subtle diamond accents, all meticulously mounted...
Amethyst, Diamond, Turquoise, 18k 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