Ford joined Gucci as the chief womenswear designer before becoming creative director in 1994. Under his creative leadership, Ford completely transformed and elevated Gucci and it became one of the largest and most profitable luxury brands. In 1999, Ford and Gucci chief executive director (CEO) and chairman Domenico De Sole created the Gucci Group, now Kering. Ford became the creative director and vice chairman of the group and assumed the position of creative director and chief designer of Yves Saint Laurent all while maintaining the creative responsibilities for the Gucci brand. In April 2005, Ford launched the Tom Ford brand which was met with quick success.

Ford is an award-winning screenwriter, producer and film director. In 2009, Ford wrote, produced and directed the Academy Award nominated film, ‘A Single Man’. Ford’s second film ‘Nocturnal Animals’ premiered in 2016 and won the Grand Jury prize, three Golden Globe nominations (winning one), nine BAFTA nominations and an Academy Award nomination. Ford served as chairman of the CFDA and during his tenure he diversified the board of directors and membership, launched the ‘A Common Thread’ relief initiative with Vogue to support fashion businesses during the pandemic, significantly increased the CFDA scholarship fund and strengthened New York fashion week.

Caroline Rush, chief executive, British Fashion Council, said: "We are thrilled to honour Tom Ford with the Outstanding Achievement Award for his exceptional contribution to fashion, film and culture. For over three decades, his visionary work has consistently pushed the boundaries in every field he has played his hand in - from transforming Gucci into a fashion powerhouse and launching his incredibly successful eponymous brand while establishing the design studio in London, to becoming an award-winning filmmaker. He is a true innovator and fashion icon in his own right and we can’t wait to celebrate with him!”

On getting honoured with the prestigious award, Tom Ford said: “It is an honour to be acknowledged for my contributions to fashion, film and culture by the British Fashion Council. This award is incredibly special to me, as I have spent a great deal of my life in London. During my 35 years in the fashion world, I have focused on creativity and the love of beauty and style. Fashion and Film are both collaborative efforts. One has to have a vision and then to communicate that vision to a team of talented people, and I would like to acknowledge all of those people who have supported me along the way. I am so very grateful to the British Fashion Council for this prestigious award.”

The Outstanding Achievement Award celebrates the overwhelming creative contribution of an individual to the fashion industry, who throughout their illustrious career has constantly shaped and reshaped the fashion world through their innovation and creativity. Previous winners of the Award include Valentino, Patagonia’s Yvon Chouinard, Giorgio Armani, Miuccia Prada, Ralph Lauren KBE, Karl Lagerfeld, Dame Anna Wintour, Terry and Tricia Jones and Manolo Blahnik CBE to name only a few, BFC said in a press release.

TFA, organised by the BFC, are the primary fundraiser for the BFC Foundation and celebrate the role of fashion at the intersection of culture and entertainment, spotlighting creative talent and telling the stories of the year in fashion through the lens of purpose, excellence, and creativity.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (SG)