Tom Ford coral viscose crepe beaded evening dress with train, fw 2013
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: IT 38 - FR 34 - UK 6 - US 4 (EU)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:London, GB
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU14028554152
Tom Ford for Gucci
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
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.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: London, United Kingdom
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- BodyMap orange and blue knitted maxi dress, fw 1985Located in London, GBBodyMap orange and blue knitted maxi dress from the 'Barbie Takes a Trip Around Nature's Cosmic Curves' collection. Fall-Winter 1985Category
1980s British Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Dolce & Gabbana red jersey draped drawstring mini dress, ss 2003By Dolce & GabbanaLocated in London, GBDolce & Gabbana red viscose jersey mini dress and detached sleeves with various drawstring fastenings. Spring-Summer 2003Category
Early 2000s Italian Mini Dress
- Christian Dior by John Galliano pink wool and yellow lace skirt suit, fw 1998By Christian Dior, John Galliano for Christian DiorLocated in London, GB▪ Christian Dior skirt suit ▪ Designed by John Galliano ▪ Pink jacquard wool ▪ Yellow Calais lace trim ▪ Single-breasted jacket with scarf collar ▪ Ribbed-knit sleeves ▪ Pleated wr...Category
1990s French Suits, Outfits and Ensembles
- Chanel by Karl Lagerfeld red cashmere wool and faux fur dress, fw 2010By Chanel, Karl Lagerfeld for ChanelLocated in London, GB▪ Chanel red cashmere wool knee-length dress ▪ Designed by Karl Lagerfeld ▪ Faux 'fantasy' fur skirt and sleeves ▪ Funnel neck backed with brown lambskin leather ▪ Two front pockets...Category
2010s French Day Dresses
- Gianni Versace red silk evening maxi dress with crystal medusa straps, fw 1996By Gianni VersaceLocated in London, GB▪ Gianni Versace red silk evening maxi dress ▪ Gold hardware with Medusa clasps adorned with clear crystals ▪ Open back ▪ Criss-cross shoulder straps ▪ IT 42 - FR 38 - UK 10 - US 6 ...Category
1990s Italian Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Christian Dior by John Galliano orange and maroon sweater dress set, fw 1998By John Galliano for Christian Dior, Christian DiorLocated in London, GBChristian Dior by John Galliano orange and maroon knitted ensemble comprising: rib-knit maxi dress with turtle neck and oversized crochet-knit sweater with bat wing sleeves and large...Category
1990s French Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Red jersey cocktail dress with rhinestone and snake brooch Roberto Cavalli NEWBy Roberto CavalliLocated in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FRRed jersey cocktail dress with rhinestone and snake brooch. Fabric composition: 6% stretch, 94% rayon. Raw-cut on the edge. Adjustable shoulder strap. SIZE M / NEW with tagCategory
2010s Italian Cocktail Dresses
- Burgundy cocktail dress with leather belt Valentino Miss V NEW with tagBy Valentino Miss VLocated in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FRBurgundy cocktail dress with black ribbons piping and leather belt. Shoulder-pad. Fabric composition: 70% acetate, 30% silk. Lining: 63% acetate, 37% rayon. New with tag. Zip in th...Category
1980s Italian Cocktail Dresses
- ALEXANDER MCQUEEN red silk GEORGETTE FLORAL DROP WAIST Dress 42 MBy Alexander McQueenLocated in Zürich, CHAlexander McQueen floral-print drop-waist dress in red silk georgette (100%). Has a mandarine collar, button front, cuffed long sleeves. Lined in silk (100%). Has been worn and is in...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Cocktail Dresses
- 1981 Madame Gres Haute Couture Silk Taffeta Skirt & Blouse Ensemble w/ShoesBy Madame GresLocated in Studio City, CAA 1981 Madame Gres haute couture dark scarlet silk taffeta skirt and blouse ensemble with matching high-heeled shoes size 6 1/2. Features the iconic...Category
1980s French Cocktail Dresses
- 1960's Mollie Parnis Romantic Red Gown with CapletBy Mollie ParnisLocated in Toronto, OntarioExquisite 1960's red chiffon hanky hem gown with matching capelet. Fitted through the bodice with spaghetti straps the dress is double layered, a feature that is accented by the irre...Category
1960s American Cocktail Dresses
- Zandra Rhodes Glamour Punk Gown, Safety Pins and DiamondsBy Zandra RhodesLocated in New York, NYCocktail dress of cherry red rayon matte jersey overlaid with a micropleated chiffon overdress in a handpainted design by Zandra Rhodes. All the chiffon edges are hand overcast wit...Category
1980s British Cocktail Dresses
Recently Viewed
View AllRead More
This Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen Ensemble Is Part Zsa Zsa Gabor, Part ‘Blade Runner’
As Burton steps away from the brand, it’s a fitting time to revisit one of her visionary designs.
Vivienne Westwood’s Punk Spirit Lives On in This ’90s Tartan Ensemble
The shorts suit in a mash-up of patterns with an asymmetrical cut speaks to the designer’s rebellious spirit.