Ford’s Rumored Return

In February, NYTimes’ TMagazine Twittered that Alessandra Facchinetti (designer under and then successor of Ford at Gucci and more recently at Valentino), was working on the line. Since then, Ford has fueled the flames by taking over photography of his brand’s Spring 2009 ads (previously done by Terry Richardson) and Carine Roitfeld (Ford muse) poured proverbial gasoline on the fire by wearing a 2003 Tom Ford-for-YSL skirt around London and New York Fashion weeks.

Current rumors claim that Ford is seeking funding for a re-up with women’s wear. Reuters’ private equity site peHUB reported that “Tom Ford International, the luxury line from the former creative head of Gucci, is seeking funding to expand into women’s apparel” and is looking for an investment of $50 million or more. Which, considering his record, could be quite the investment. After leaving Texas for Gucci in Milan, Ford spent several years toiling behind the scenes before he was promoted to Creative Director in 1994. The following year he brought in French stylist Carine Roitfeld (now editor-in-chief, Vogue Paris) and photographer Mario Testino to create a series of new, modern ad campaigns for the company. Between 1995 and 1996, sales at Gucci increased by 90%. By 1999 “the house, which had been almost bankrupt when Ford joined, was valued at about $4.3 billion.” {Wikipedia}

At the tail-end of a recession (?) and with fashion making its way back to the 90s, it seems never better a time for Ford’s homecoming. That is assuming he returns as he left – velvet, satin and thigh-slits – though with his knack for revolution, perhaps rather than a return to (albeit treasured) trends of yore, it’ll be a brand new bend for the industry.

Read more {peHUB}