As the suavest man in fashion turns 54, we look back at some of the things we have to thank him for. Read on for red carpet hits and bra-reveals galore...
With most of the fashion world worshipping at the altar of extreme youth and extreme cool, there's one man who's always been more about glamour, glitz, and fashion for the woman with smoking hot curves - not to mention life experience.
Step forward, Mr Tom Ford. The designer, who turns 54 today, was responsible for one of the biggest brand turnarounds in fashion history when he landed at Gucci in 1990. From languishing in the doldrums, the Italian label known mainly for classic accessories was suddenly red hot thanks to Ford's sizzling designs, smoky-eyed models and collaborations with Queen Foxy herself (we're talking about you, Carine Roitfeld). Below: Gucci Autumn/Winter 2004
When Madonna wore his buttoned-down-to-there silk shirt and clingy velvet hipsters to the MTV VMAs in 1995, it became one of the most-copied and influential looks of the 1990s.
Add some barnstorming collections for fellow Gucci group brand Yves Saint Laurent, where he was creative director from 1999-2004, and you have some iconic fashion moments.
Below: Yves Saint Laurent Autumn/Winter 2003
By the time he left (sadly his divorce from Gucci's parent company PPR was acrimonious, but let's forget about that), Gucci Group's value was said to have rocketed to $10 billion, largely due to his Gucci and YSL makeover.
Never one to rest on his tux-clad laurels, he squeezed in an Oscar-winning film, A Single Man, starring his friend and muse Julianne Moore - not to mention Colin Firth - in an aesthetically beautiful but slightly chilly portrayal of a gay professor and his alcoholic friend in Sixties California.
One beauty and fragrance range later, he stormed back into womenswear in 2010 with a top-secret show in New York - no pesky bloggers, Tweeters or cameras allowed. A shame, because it was more A-list than the Oscars, with his close pal Julianne Moore, Beyonce, Lauren Hutton and a host of supermodels walking.
Never mind, we got a better look at his subsequent shows, held at suitably grand settings during LFW, and introducing us to the delights of Kapow cartoon patterns, OTT animal print and - oh yes sequinned nipple pasties, rock groupie style.
Below: Tom Ford Autumn/Winter 2013
Below: Tom Ford Spring/Summer 2015
His latest show took place in LA - far from the fashion capitals and nearer all the celebrities he's famous for dressing. But we do wish he'd come back - Mr Ford, LFW needs you... Below: Tom Ford Autumn/Winter 2015, LA
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