TOM FORD TO BECOME NEW CFDA CHAIRMAN

It is official – Tom Ford will be the next chairman of the CFDA.

The CFDA Board ratified Ford as chairman of the CFDA during a meeting at the CFDA offices earlier today. The award-winning fashion designer, film director, screenwriter, and film producer will succeed current chairwoman Diane von Furstenberg, effective January 1, 2020.

“I have had the privilege of being a member of the American Fashion community for many years and have experienced what the CFDA does for its members and the industry as a whole,” said Ford. “Having lived and worked in each of the global fashion capitals of the world, I look forward to working with the Board of Directors to further the voice of American Fashion and its designers.”

Without a doubt, Ford one of the most successful and respected designers in the world. He changed the face of American style with a heady combination of glamour and desire. Fashion, music, sports and Hollywood collide in the Tom Ford universe.

In April 2005, Ford created his eponymous luxury brand, beginning with menswear. Today, the Tom Ford brand offers a complete collection of menswear, as well as womenswear, accessories, eyewear, beauty and most recently underwear and timepieces. Ford was previously the creative director of Gucci Group, where he designed for luxury houses Gucci and Yves Saint Laurent until 2004.

American born, Ford began his career as a design assistant for CFDA member Cathy Hardwick, and joined the CFDA in 2000. He has won a total of seven CFDA Fashion Awards: Menswear Designer of the Year (2015, 2008), Womenswear Designer of the Year (2001), Accessory Designer of the Year (2002), Board of Director’s Tribute (2004), International Designer of the Year (1995), and the Geoffrey Beene Lifetime Achievement Award (2014).

“As the chairman, I look forward to continuing the incredible work Diane has done over the last 13 years,” Ford added. “Diane is a true force and her contribution to the CFDA and to American fashion immeasurable. We all owe her a great deal.”

“I am so excited that Tom Ford has agreed to come and lead the CFDA,” said von Furstenberg. “American Fashion could not wish for a better visionary to further grow its impact in the global landscape. Tom is a role model for all of us, and we are very lucky to have him as the next chairman of the CFDA.”

CFDA president and CEO Steven Kolb called von Furstenberg “an incredible partner who helped build CFDA in to a world class organization. I’m excited to now work with Tom to further strengthen the organization and support American designers with new creative and business opportunities.”

Von Furstenberg became president of the CFDA in 2006. In 2015, she was named chairwoman of the organization. Previous CFDA presidents were Perry Ellis, Oscar de la Renta, Bill Blass, Norman Norell, Stan Herman, Mary McFadden, Carolyne Roehm, Herbert Kasper, and Sydney Wragge.