Haider Ackermann, the acclaimed Colombian-born, Paris-based designer, has been named Tom Ford‘s new Creative director, taking over from Peter Hawkings. Ackermann will oversee the brand’s womenswear, menswear, accessories and eyewear collections while continuing his part-time role at Canada Goose.
“It is with tremendous pride that I will seek to honor the legacy of Tom Ford, a man I have long admired and have the utmost respect for,” the 53-year-old designer said in a statement.
Known for his sharp tailoring, modern aesthetic and masterful use of color, Ackermann brings a wealth of experience to the role. Over the past two decades, he has successfully run his own eponymous label and served as Creative director at Berluti for three seasons between 2016 and 2018. His talent has earned him a devoted celebrity following and the respect of industry giants like Karl Lagerfeld, who once backed Ackermann as a potential successor at Chanel.
Ackermann’s return to the fashion spotlight has been eagerly anticipated since the closure of his own brand in 2020. In recent years, he has been busy with collaborations, one-off creations for favorite clients such as Tilda Swinton and Timothée Chalamet, as well as a couture collection for Jean Paul Gaultier and collaborations with Fila. He was also recently named the first Creative director of Canada Goose.
Tom Ford was enthusiastic about Ackermann’s appointment. “I have long been a great fan of Haider’s work,” he said. “I find both his womenswear and menswear equally compelling. He is an incredible colorist, 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 We share many of the same historical references, and I could not be more excited to see what he does with the brand.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.”
The Zegna Group, which acquired Tom Ford International in 2023, shares Ford’s optimism. Ermenegildo Zegna, chairman and CEO of the Zegna Group, said: “The appointment of Haider as the brand’s new creative director will further strengthen the team we are building and makes me even more confident in the future of Tom Ford Fashion.”
Ackermann will lead the creative direction of the brand from Paris, and his debut show for Tom Ford is scheduled for March in Paris as part of the Fall/Winter 2025 season.
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