The History of Tom Ford

Few names in modern luxury carry quite the same visual identity as Tom Ford.

Known for his distinctive approach to fashion, fragrance, film and luxury design, Tom Ford has built a career around a very particular idea of glamour.

Dark tailoring. Rich materials. Sensual fragrances. Polished interiors. Bold advertising.

But the Tom Ford name didn’t begin as a global luxury house.

Its story started much earlier, with a young Texan who initially studied architecture before finding his way into the fashion world.

And ultimately, his career would help transform one of the world’s most recognisable luxury fashion houses.

Who Is Tom Ford?

Thomas Carlyle Ford was born in Austin, Texas, in 1961.

He initially studied art history at New York University before moving towards architecture. He eventually studied architecture at Parsons School of Design, including time at the Paris campus.

But Ford’s career would ultimately take him in a very different direction.

Rather than becoming an architect, he entered the fashion industry.

That decision would eventually lead him to Milan and one of the most important opportunities of his career.

Gucci.

Tom Ford and Gucci

In 1990, Tom Ford joined Gucci as the company’s Womenswear Designer.

At the time, Gucci was already an established luxury name, but the company was going through a period of change.

Ford quickly rose through the organisation.

In 1992, he became Design Director.

Then, in 1994, he was appointed Creative Director of Gucci.

This was the moment that would fundamentally change his career.

Under Ford’s creative direction, Gucci developed a much more distinctive and provocative visual identity.

Fashion became more glamorous.

Advertising became more daring.

The brand became associated with a stronger sense of sexuality, confidence and modern luxury.

Ford wasn’t simply designing clothes.

He was helping shape the entire image of Gucci.

According to the Council of Fashion Designers of America, his responsibilities extended across product lines, advertising campaigns, store design and the wider corporate image of the brand. 

The Gucci Transformation

Ford’s influence went far beyond individual collections.

He helped create a consistent world around Gucci.

The clothes, stores, advertising and fragrances all became part of the same visual language.

This approach is particularly interesting when looking at Ford’s later career.

The idea that luxury should be experienced as an entire atmosphere rather than simply a product would become one of the defining characteristics of the Tom Ford brand.

During Ford’s decade at Gucci, the company’s sales grew dramatically.

The CFDA records Gucci Group sales increasing from approximately $230 million in 1994 to almost $3 billion in 2003. 

Whatever your opinion of Ford’s aesthetic, his impact on the commercial and visual direction of Gucci was significant.

Tom Ford and Yves Saint Laurent

Ford’s influence expanded further when Gucci Group acquired Yves Saint Laurent and YSL Beauté.

In 2000, Ford took on the additional role of Creative Director of Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche and YSL Beauté.

He was now working across two major luxury houses.

The role gave Ford an even broader platform to develop his approach to fashion, beauty, advertising and brand identity.

But eventually, Ford’s relationship with Gucci Group would come to an end.

Leaving Gucci

In 2004, following changes surrounding Gucci Group and its ownership, Tom Ford resigned from his positions at the company.

After more than a decade at Gucci, one of the most influential chapters of his career was over.

But Ford wasn’t finished with fashion.

Far from it.

He was about to create something of his own.

The Birth of TOM FORD

In April 2005, Tom Ford announced the creation of the TOM FORD brand.

He was joined by Domenico De Sole, the former President and CEO of Gucci Group. 

The new company would initially focus heavily on luxury menswear and accessories, with eyewear and beauty following as the brand expanded.

The philosophy was clear.

Tom Ford wasn’t trying to create another ordinary fashion label.

He was building a complete luxury universe around his own name.

From Fashion to Fragrance

Fragrance became a major part of that universe.

Today, TOM FORD BEAUTY describes itself as offering fragrances, cosmetics and skincare, with its fragrance collections including the Private Blend and Signature ranges. 

Ford’s approach to fragrance reflects many of the same ideas that have defined his fashion.

Bold.

Sophisticated.

Sensual.

Distinctive.

Rather than relying solely on conventional ideas of what a fragrance should smell like, the Tom Ford fragrance world often focuses heavily on atmosphere and character.

And two fragrances in particular have become especially relevant to the Ember & Oak story.

Oud Wood.

And Ombré Leather.

Oud Wood - The Inspiration Behind The Wood

Oud has become one of the most recognisable ingredients in modern luxury fragrance.

It brings together woody depth, warmth and a darker sense of sophistication.

Tom Ford’s Oud Wood became part of the brand’s Private Blend fragrance world.

The fragrance helped reinforce the idea that wood could be the centrepiece of a luxurious modern fragrance rather than simply a supporting ingredient.

It’s a style of fragrance that feels naturally suited to the Ember & Oak aesthetic.

Dark woods.

Warmth.

Depth.

Sophistication.

And that brings us to one of our own fragrances.

Introducing The Wood

At Ember & Oak, The Wood is our interpretation of the same kind of sophisticated woody fragrance character that makes Oud Wood so distinctive.

The Wood is inspired by Tom Ford Oud Wood.

It’s designed for those who enjoy darker, warmer and more refined woody fragrances.

A fragrance profile that feels equally at home in a luxury interior as it does in a sophisticated evening setting.

The Wood - inspired by Tom Ford Oud Wood.

Ombré Leather - The Inspiration Behind The Leather

If Oud Wood represents the darker, sophisticated side of Tom Ford’s fragrance world, Ombré Leather takes another route.

Leather.

But not simply the smell of leather.

Tom Ford describes Ombré Leather as a floral leather fragrance inspired by the American West, combining a black leather accord with cardamom, jasmine sambac, patchouli, white moss and amber. 

The result is a fragrance built around contrast.

Rich leather.

Earthy elements.

Warm amber.

Floral nuances.

Dark woods and moss.

It’s luxurious without needing to be delicate.

And that makes it particularly interesting as a home fragrance inspiration.

Introducing The Leather

Our newest fragrance, The Leather, takes inspiration from this darker side of modern luxury fragrance.

The Leather is inspired by Tom Ford Ombré Leather.

Rich leather sits at the heart of the fragrance, surrounded by warm spices, earthy woods and sophisticated supporting notes.

It’s bold.

Dark.

Smooth.

And unmistakably luxurious.

For Ember & Oak, it represents exactly the kind of fragrance profile that fits our philosophy of Scents of Distinction.

The Leather - inspired by Tom Ford Ombré Leather.

Why Tom Ford Has Had Such an Influence on Fragrance

One of the most interesting things about Tom Ford’s career is that the brand has never been limited to one category.

Fashion.

Eyewear.

Beauty.

Fragrance.

Each part contributes to the same overall identity.

That consistency is a major part of what makes the Tom Ford name so recognisable.

The fragrances aren’t simply fragrances.

They belong to a wider world.

A world built around luxury, atmosphere, texture and character.

And that’s something we understand very well at Ember & Oak.

What Makes Tom Ford Fragrances Feel Luxurious?

Luxury fragrance isn’t necessarily about using the most ingredients or creating the strongest possible scent.

It’s about character.

It’s about creating a particular feeling.

Tom Ford’s fragrance collections often explore ingredients and combinations that create strong identities. From woods and leather to amber, spices, florals and darker accords.

The result is fragrance with personality.

And that is something we believe is important in home fragrance too.

A candle shouldn’t simply make a room smell nice.

It should change the atmosphere of the room.

From Fashion Icon to Global Luxury House

Tom Ford’s career has travelled a remarkable distance.

From architecture student.

To Gucci designer.

To Creative Director.

To one of the most influential figures in modern luxury fashion.

Then, ultimately, to the founder of a global luxury house carrying his own name.

The TOM FORD brand continues today across fashion, accessories and beauty. TOM FORD BEAUTY states that the house was founded in 2005 and describes it as a global luxury house known for modern luxury glamour. 

Ford himself stepped away from the company’s day-to-day creative leadership, with Peter Hawkings appointed Creative Director in 2023. 

But the aesthetic and philosophy associated with the Tom Ford name remain hugely influential.

The Ember & Oak Connection

At Ember & Oak, we’re inspired by fragrances that have a clear identity.

Not fragrances that simply smell pleasant.

Fragrances that create an atmosphere.

Tom Ford’s approach to luxury fragrance is a natural fit for that philosophy.

The Wood, inspired by Oud Wood, explores the darker and more sophisticated side of woody fragrance.

The Leather, inspired by Ombré Leather, brings together the richness and character of leather with a darker, luxurious fragrance profile.

Both are designed for people who appreciate fragrances with presence.

A Final Word on Tom Ford

Tom Ford’s story is ultimately a story about identity.

He didn’t simply design clothes.

He created worlds.

From the transformation of Gucci in the 1990s to the creation of his own luxury house, Ford developed a visual and creative language that became instantly recognisable.

Dark.

Glamorous.

Confident.

Sophisticated.

And that influence extends far beyond fashion.

It can be found in fragrance, interiors, beauty and the way luxury itself is presented.

At Ember & Oak, that same appreciation for atmosphere is at the heart of what we do.

The Wood.

The Leather.

Two fragrances inspired by two iconic Tom Ford creations.

Two very different interpretations of luxury.

And two new additions to the Ember & Oak collection.

Ember & Oak - Scents of Distinction.

 

Disclaimer

Ember & Oak is an independent home fragrance brand and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, sponsored by, or connected with Tom Ford, TOM FORD BEAUTY, or any of their associated companies or brands.

The Ember & Oak fragrances The Wood and The Leather are independently produced fragrances inspired by the character and fragrance profiles of Tom Ford’s Oud Wood and Ombré Leather, respectively. They are not exact copies of, or products manufactured by, Tom Ford.

All trademarks and brand names mentioned in this article remain the property of their respective owners and are used solely for identification and descriptive purposes.