Ackermann is taking the reins immediately, with his first collection for the brand set to debut during Paris Fashion Week in March 2025.
Following the abrupt departure of Peter Hawkings earlier this summer, Colombian-born French designer Haider Ackermann was named the new creative director of American luxury fashion house Tom Ford on Wednesday (4 September).
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According to a statement released by the brand, Ackermann will take on creative leadership across all areas of the fashion business: from menswear and accessories, to womenswear and eyewear.
The announcement comes weeks after Peter Hawkings announced his departure from Tom Ford after a mere two seasons, only taking up the role after Tom Ford stepped away from his brand in April 2023 following its sale to Estée Lauder for $2.8 billion (€2.53 billion). Hawkings had, however, been with Tom Ford for far longer, having joined under Ford himself when the brand first launched.
Ackermann, who has recently collaborated with Canada Goose and Jean Paul Gaultier, is mainly known for his work at his eponymous brand – as well as his avant-garde appraoch to design. His long time muse is British actress Tilda Swinton, while his designs have become celebrity favourites, donned by the likes of Timothée Chalamet and Kylie Jenner.
Tom Ford will not show during the imminent S/S 2025 fashion week, which begins in New York on Friday (6 September), with Ackermann instead making his debut during the A/W 2025 shows in February.
In his new role, Ackermann will be based in Paris and report to Guillaume Jesel, Tom Ford president and CEO and luxury business development at the Estée Lauder Companies.
“It is with tremendous pride that I will seek to honour the legacy of Tom Ford, a man I have long admired and have the utmost respect for,” Ackermann said in a statement.
In turn, Ford shared his excitement for Ackermann joining the brand.
“I have long been a great fan of Haider’s work. I find both his womenswear and menswear equally compelling,” he enthuses. “He is an incredible colourist, his tailoring is sharp, and above all he is modern. We share many of the same historical references, and I could not be more excited to see what he does with the brand. I suspect that I will be the first on my feet to applaud after his show in March.”
