Tom Ford for Yves Saint Laurent FW 2004 Black Leather Saint Tropez Pagoda Bag
View Similar Items
Tom Ford for Yves Saint Laurent FW 2004 Black Leather Saint Tropez Pagoda Bag
About the Item
Tom Ford
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.
- Ingber 1960s Evening Box BagLocated in Alford, MA1960s Ingber box-shaped bag in black featuring a rope top handle and a jeweled clasp. Open to reveal a red interior with side compartment. Plenty of room for phone and essentials.Category
1960s American Evening Bags and Minaudières
- NEW LOUIS VUITTON Rare Fuchsia Runway Cartoon Art Firebird Limited Edition BagBy Louis VuittonLocated in Fort Lauderdale, FLThe extremely rare LOUIS VUITTON Fuchsia Cartoon Firebird, the most luxurious of them all. One of a kind and only a few were released Worldwide in 2008! Cartoon Limited Collection ba...Category
Early 2000s French Top Handle Bags
- Moschino Black with White Polka Dot and Gilded Gold Hardware Accent HandbagBy Love MoschinoLocated in New York, NYMoschino wonderfully elegant yet whimsical textured black with white polka dot silk handbag is accented with a polished gilded gold hardware frame. The opening on top is a "Press But...Category
Early 2000s Italian Top Handle Bags
- Chanel Dark Brown Suede Gripoix Jewels Evening BagBy ChanelLocated in Palm Beach, FLThis authentic Chanel Dark Brown Suede Gripoix Jewels Evening Bag is in mint condition. A very rare piece featuring an iconic Chanel Gripoix flower design that is a must have for any...Category
Late 20th Century Evening Bags and Minaudières
- Gilded Etched Gold Tone Hardware Frame Micro Beaded "Roses" HandbagLocated in New York, NYMagnificent detailed etched gilded gold tone vermeil hardware frame is accented with multi-color rhinestones highlighted with two Swans on top of the beautiful hardware frame ...Category
1950s French Evening Bags and Minaudières
- Chanel Vanity Case Micro Mini 90s Vintage Iridescent Bronze Rare Patent ClutchBy ChanelLocated in Miami, FLChanel Micro Mini 90s Vintage Patent Metallic Bronze Iridescent Vanity Case Rare 1994 [VINTAGE 28 Years} Diamond stitch iridescent patent leather Cl...Category
1990s French Evening Bags and Minaudières