The Rise and Fall of Tom Ford 

5:50 why is this BCG matrix completely wrong? lol

Honestly, I'm glad he sold. I really, really, really want to see another Tom Ford movie. A few scenes in A Single Man were the film equivalent of running your hand over silk.

Thank you ... I have been working for Tom Ford for the past 7 years at one of the boutiques here in the USA. Before it was announce to the public they sold the company Mr Ford had a conference call with all the his employees and expressed to all of us how grateful He was to us for our work and dedication to the company, He seem to be very kind man .

His original perfume line was what really opened up my nose to “niche” perfumery. I don’t consider the TF fragrance line to be niche anymore, but his original private blends are STILL my absolute favourites! The quality and creativity blew my 29 year old mind at the time.

I’ve always liked Tom Ford. He never came off snotty or diva like. His background is in architecture, so maybe that may have been an issue. But I can honestly say he had a respect for women.

the shade in the way he says "a little Michael Kors-y"

There is genuinely nothing on earth that can compare with a Tom Ford suit. I have exactly one, which I purchased nearly a decade ago now that is still utterly beautiful and in perfect condition. The entire experience of going to the flagship store, being fitted and advised, etc. It's something I will always remember. That one Tom Ford suit I own cost more than my entire wardrobe combined and I don't regret it. It demands attention without being flashy, it is sophisticated and elegant without being pretentious....it's just perfection.

Once again you continue to deliver... Tom Ford is someone I have admired and respected for many years and I consider him a genius. I find you to be a great teacher with a voice and tone that keeps me focused. I learn alot from your videos and it's a great treat to have you on RU-vid. Thank you.

I miss the Gucci Tom Ford era :(

Thank you for another great video! I think one pattern that your videos show us is that in fashion, you can't really just coast along on your past laurels. This industry is always demanding that you push the creative envelope forward. On a separate note...have you ever considered doing a video on Halston?

Well done! well researched! You’re really the best for fashion business and history. I remember the great success he had with Gucci but was not so successful at YSL Pierre Berger loathed him and he was booed at the fashion show. He’s not a “designer” per se (he’s not creative or inventive like others in this field) but more of a businessman who offers great quality of clothes for those who can afford it. 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

Tom Ford will always be remembered, design wise, for his contribution to the house of Gucci.

Amazing video! I found your channel about a month ago and have been obsessed ever since ❤️

Tom Ford was one of the 1st high fashion brands that i got into. So classy & stylish.

omg everyone wake up new understitch, video

Love all your videos, thank you for the hard work you put into them ❤

When a designer is talented in every area of his label's business except design, it's time to move on. I give him mad props for a steadfast belief in himself for one highwire project after another. At the end of his life, he won't regret all the things he didn't do (like most people); and this is the lesson he imparts so far.

Love the extra details in the video. And just notice how much he was influenced by old YSL. Massive influence. Thank u!

Tom Ford, Marc Jacobs...they once had the fashion world wrapped around their fingers and now... This business is a beast that you continuously have to feed with new ideas and when you can no longer, you're the one eaten.

Amazing video and a very informative look at his manufacturing.

This channel is simply brilliant. Thank you

Your video on Rare Beauty was an eye opener on the other channel.

Another phenomenal job from understitch!

His cologne Tom Ford Noir is my absolute favorite. It’s expensive but well worth it and lasts me years. I get compliments all the time.

I've learned so much just from watching your videos. I would like to see how you analyze a new label with everything you know. I think someone would benefit from know what it takes to build a label to the caliber that a person like you would appreciate

I love Tom Ford. He is one of the most important designer of those last 30 years. He has achieved a lot... I think he is a great designer. People like sometimes to diminish his contribution and say that he was more of marketing genius or stylist but I remember very impressive dresses, interesting coats and tailoring and also a bold taste. He is a designer who never shied away from challenging taste... He was a commercial designer and he was great at that. Valentino is a legend in fashion and his ambition has never been more than designing beautiful clothes for rich ladies. There's something noble about being a commercial designer and being good, extremely good at that. I loved YSL by Tom Ford. I really think that he became a designer with a capital D once he was exposed to the Ateliers in Paris. His designs pre-2001 were simple, well made, ambitious in style but never in cut or execution. He designed some of the best and ambitious collections of his career for both YSL and Gucci between 2001 and 2004. But YSL was a bit doomed. They bought all the licences and it impacted the growth of the brand. It was selling but not at the level of Gucci. Thankfully, his era allowed the finances of YSL to become more clean. Stefano continued the job and Slimane took the brand to another high. Unfortunately, I think that when he started his own brand, he wasn't consistent in his confidence. His vision for menswear and beauty was edgy in 2005 (Niche fragrances weren't the norm in the mainstream market and hyper luxe bespoke inspired designer menswear either). I think that he lacked confidence doing womenswear... This was a designer who dominated fashion from the late 90's to the mid 00's and during the gap between his exit from Gucci and comeback to his own brand, his repertoire was kept in style by the generation that grew up admiring him ( Alexander Wang, Proenza Schouler...etc). Every season, we would see glimpse of his heritage in the catwalk. It felt like he didn't want to compete with his glorious past by first not showing in Paris or Milan and by doing those off-seasons, very evening wear oriented collections when fashion was moving to a more casual and daywear oriented direction. I also feel like his personal life had more impact on his business and maybe he lacked focus. He moved to LA, directed a movie between womenswear collections, showed in NYC and London... I think he had some great moments at his own brand but maybe people had unrealistic expectations from him. Nevertheless, I like that his brand is going forward. He has a legacy in fashion and has build the perfect structure to support a luxury operation. I hope they will stop showing in NYC though.

Tom Ford suits, shoes, sunglasses, and men’s jackets are the absolute best as it relates to design, fabric, quality, and overall look. Nothing compares… he has a strict rationale for his designs and that is why he’s been such a success.

Tom Ford's fashion always seemed so sensual and sexy to me.

_Recently subscribed to your channel as your content is well articulated and researched. (I know your series of 'The Rise, and Fall/Rise' is a big part of your channel's cache). That said, I honestly don't think a man that sold his company for 2.8 billion dollars last year has fallen in any way. For me personally, I've been enjoying his 'Private Blend' line since its inception. As far as his clothing line, even for me, it's out of my price range for the most part. (I do have a few gems of his though in my arsenal of ensembles). What I know for sure is that his fragrance/make-up/skin care lines will still remain beyond successful for several decades. ( In 2021 his company grossed something like 650+ million dollars). I will continue to support any and everything in his 'Private Blend' fragrance line, plus his regular fragrance line. TF hands down has the very best fragrances on the market today!_

This seems to confirm what I thought of Tom Ford’s work in terms of design. His work starts of a bit bold but is ultimately one note as it seemed for Gucci and the Tom Ford labels. Good enough products backed by exceptional branding and marketing. Btw, you might need to double check your BCG Matrix, they seem incorrect. The high-high is on the top left and doesn’t match the high-high locations of the arrows. The bottom row are both low-lows.

Great video, I love Tom Ford but it’s definitely one of those brands better know for it’s perfumes & eyewear

And another great video! ❤

I don't especially love his clothing but I admire his work ethic!

His touch with Bond clothes was genius.

I don't consider becoming a billionaire after you decide to sell your business a "fall".

Good and interesting video! Thank you.

Merry May Christmas to me! A new Rise and Fall 🥳 I loved classic Tom Ford. To me he did next gen Halston in his heyday at Gucci. His brand may have diminished but you still see his silhouette and designs as they have… (Miranda Priestly voice) “Trickled down into the secondary markets. Where I dug it out of a bin at Banana Republic”. 🤣❤❤❤

Thank you for detailed information

I loved when he said in an interview he hates perfume and 3 years later when he launched his perfume line he said he loves layering multiple perfumes.

This proper explanation of the fashion world clearly makes me realize, as depicted in the movie 'The Devil Wears Prada' , how the buying public is sold an illusion without even knowing they are being manipulated to purchase and value the cloth they drape on their bodies!! Brilliant and Machiavellian ! Well done and with a decidedly condescending English accent!

my fingers are crossed for the peter hawkings era of tom ford… hoping that he can move the brand forward with reverence but infuse it with some new energy. tom ford (the man) is for me, one of the last great personalities of fashion in the vein of ysl, valentino, alaia and (of course) lagerfeld.

Thank you so much. I really appreciate your awesome videos on the history and their head designers of renowned haute couture and ready to wear collections of Fashion Houses. I can't imagine why the Tom Ford name, especially as his collections were uninspired, repeatedly similar to older collections and generally failing was worth £2.8 billion to Estee Lauder! It seems ironic that Tom Ford is protective over his desighn creations when they were losing money and panned by the fashionista press. Xxx

Just found this channel but god do I love it gotta keep these types of vids going you putting a 19 yr old on fr!!!!!!!!

the asthetic can be translated to many sectors like womenswear and beyond it just needs a steady hand that isn’t going to far for the dollar. I mean they are in that way a hyper luxury brand but it will also require some risk taking which I hope the new owners recognize. And I think we might just be ready for a mini Tom ford renaissance

The most humane place for Tom Ford to start rebuilding their brand is being more personable at the retail level!❤

Fantastic as always. A detail though: it was Maurizio Gucci that was murdered - not Guccio Gucci (his grandfather) as stated at 0:59

Zegna truly has superb build quality and Estee Lauder has done an amazing job with the Tom Ford cosmetics stuff, one of the few designer brands that really comes close to Niche. I just hope they don’t further expand the signature fragrance line to refinance the sale…

Love the insights and the flow of this video. The beauty about Tom Ford pieces and or designs are timeless not to mention the fit and finish is on point imho, not more of a "in the moment" designs. Theres just something unique when u line up Tom Fords with others hence i chose the brand and with that said i'd go where Tom Ford goes.

I think the clothing will eventually be dropped in favor of the perfume and cosmetics.

I remember I used to use Tom Ford lipsticks and I went to get a replacement from the Tom Ford store in Knightsbridge. It was quiet so the staff gave my friend and me a personal tour of the private atelier upstairs and Tom’s personal art that was chosen by him for the store. I went from loyal to advocate after that!

I own one watch, the Tom Ford ocean plastic. It’s a solid black watch, fitting with Ford’s aesthetic. It dresses easily up or down, and commands attention without being overly flashy or without any extra bells and whistles. It is everything a watch should be; a durable tool to tell time first and foremost that draws attention but does not command attention.

how aer you suppose to read their built in Closed Captioning ? It flipsd up and then down and then sideways...very confusing

Hello Understitched, Great video, as always. (How can I contact u regarding paid brand Consultancy 🤔) Thnx in advance.

great vid, felt you didn’t showcase the importance of the fragrances line which is pretty big for the brand

Awesome video!

Would you cover the perfume/cosmetics side on underskin

In the creative fields its very rare to find somebody who has the head for biz and eye for detail. Anybody that can build a 3 Billion dollar brand is a success. You can have the best designs, food, whatever if you cant sell it, is it relevant? He knows how to sell.. that's what matters.

Awesome exposé!👌🏼

I think there is a fine line with being sensual, titillating, alluring and suggestively provocative without falling into tacky, vulgar and cheap…. All his marketing never crossed this line….

. Great video !!

I love the business aspects you analyse in your videos!!! better examples and understandability than any of my lectures in Management ever were! Love love love your videos!!! would love to see your take on Helmut or Ann D, following latest news and relevance :)

It’s FASHUNDAY and you’re watching Understitch✨

i think he and marc jacobs are not really designers but are more of stylists if yk what i mean... anyway great video understitch i always feel like i am in business school when i'm watching lol

I have no interest in fashion but know of Tom ford from his movies, both of which are based on incredibly obscure books absolutely no one talks about. As a creator he’s fascinating. I do have some cologne of his tho

8:52 they compiled group of things he liked and associated with him as a personality & translated those into the personality for the brand which strongly sets up the house with codes before they truly had even begun.

A video on Escada brand too!

Tom is one of the sexiest men I’ve ever seen. And I’m not even sure why

I'm one of the few people that actually loved what Tom Ford produced for YSL....

Can you do a video on Marchesa and BCBG brands?

Tom Ford gave his best womenswear to Gucci and YSL. His own brand I think shines more in fragrances and men’s tailoring.

I'm a big fan of Tom ford fragrances and his earlier work at Gucci .. those were guccis best fragrances

Whoever's narrating excellent job thanks

Fantastic video, but your BCG matrix is wrong considering the X axis of the market share.

The future of Tom Ford is in highly wearable well tailored minimalist men’s wear, for older men and professionals.

Tom Ford will not be TOM FORD without the man himself, MR THOMAS CARYLE FORD himself the man is a creative genius and a brilliant businessman

I loved Gucci when Tom Ford was overseeing it. After he left, it changed and not for the better. I love both Tom Ford brand and Ermenegildo Zegna, which makes sense now

Do you have a video on the rise and fall of John Varvatos?

Fine work

Bring back the Tom Ford Gucci fragrances!

I wish he would do another movie. Great talent.

A Single Man and Nocturnal Animals were fantastic IMO. Would love to see him focusing on directing full time.

You are a GENIUS!!!

I love him, his gucci era for me was the best but maybe he lacked identity, you see, the florals/vintage thing works for gucci, baroque for versace, the Pierpaolo pink for valentino, but what makes a Tom Ford piece a Tom Ford piece besides being nice?

Tom Ford is amazing imo

Please please do a video about Estee Lauder companies 🙏🏼

CORRECTION: A Single Man didn't feature any TOM FORD clothing, only Nocturnal Animals had.

I never thought of Tom Ford as "fallen" . I think he's still brilliant.

You should do a video on the other Tom, Thom Browne. Fascinating story.

I can see the Tom Ford brand declining and losing its aura of Luxury, we all see the lack of creativity we all see the disconnect

Can you do Alexader McQueen?

Wow ... that BCG matrix is all kinds of messed up, is no-one proofreading this?

Tom fords men’s cologne is amazing I have some that I use religiously

Can you do one on Azzedine Alaïa? 👀

Great designer and visionary… he was great in Gucci

His design is completely opposite to Versace's, right? It's classy, elegant, traditional, black, white, neutral... And his fragrances are the best.

The glasses and sunglasses are decent and quite nice :)

All I know is I hope they don’t change the fragrance formulation. I feel like we may be disappointed.

Tom Ford hasn't fallen!!

I don't mind "falling" by selling my company for $2.8 billion.

Good job