Tom Ford names Peter Hawkings new creative director

By

Benjamin Fitzgerald

Published
Apr 28, 2023

Estée Lauder Companies (ELC) Inc. announced on Friday the appointment of Peter Hawkings to the role of creative director at Tom Ford, in addition to the hiring of Guillaume Jesel, who is the U.S. fashion brand's new CEO.

The New York-based company also said that  Ermenegildo Zegna has appointed a new CEO of Tom Ford Fashion, who is expected to be announced in July and assume the role in the third quarter.

The trio will work together "to ensure a consistent and cohesive image across all products, brand communication and retail," said ELC in a press release.

Hawkings will succeed the namesake designer Tom Ford in his new role as creative director of fashion, which includes womenswear, menswear and accessory categories, and will assume the role of lead designer for the fashion segment and fashion shows.

The designer has been working alongside Tom Ford for nearly twenty-five years, most recently as senior vice president of Tom Ford menswear. Before joining Tom Ford in 2006, where he was charged with overseeing the design and production of all categories of Tom Ford menswear including tailoring, sportswear, leather goods, and accessories, Hawkings began his career in 1998 at Gucci under the helm of Ford and worked closely with the designer on the development of Gucci's menswear collections.

​“In Peter Hawkings the brand has found the perfect Creative Director,” said Ford. “Peter began working with me 25 years ago as a menswear design assistant at Gucci and rapidly worked his way up to become the senior men’s designer at the company when he left to join me at the Tom For brand. Since the creation of Tom Ford menswear, Peter has been instrumental in the success of the brand. He is an incredibly talented leader with tremendous industry experience, and his appointment gives me confidence that my commitment to creating fashion products with the highest level of design and quality will continue.”

Likewise, Jesel brings nearly a decade of brand leadership, including Tom Ford Beauty, to his new CEO position at Tom Ford. In the role, he will report to ELC executive leaders Jane Hertzmark Hudis, executive group president, and Tracey Travis, executive vice president and chief financial officer.

ELC first announced it had acquired the Tom Ford brand back in November last year. With a purchase price of $2.8 billion, the cosmetics giant beat out French luxury conglomerate Kering, who was also rumoured to be in the running to acquire the U.S. fashion label. 

​The acquisition included an extension of Tom Ford's current relationship with Ermenegildo Zegna to include a long-term license for all men’s and women’s fashion, as well as accessories and underwear. As part of the transaction, Zegna also acquired operations of the Tom Ford fashion business.

Furthermore, Tom Ford's current license with global eyewear manufacturer Marcolin was also extended.