Peter Hawkings has stepped down as Tom Ford’s creative director, the company confirmed, for the New York-based fashion house. Hawkings, a British designer who worked at the brand since its inception in 2005, took the top job last April after its founder and namesake Tom Ford sold the company in a multi-billion-dollar deal to cosmetics giant Estée Lauder and exited himself. (As part of the arrangement, Italian suiting company Ermenegildo Zegna Group now produces Tom Ford’s clothing line.
) During his short stint as creative director, Hawkins paid homage to Ford’s signature brand of high-octane glamour, echoing the hedonistic maximalist minimalism that defined his era at Gucci in the 90s and shot him to fashion fame. Following the news of Hawkins’ departure, executives from both companies thanked him for his leadership over the past year. 'I would like to express my gratitude to Peter for his exceptional contributions to Tom Ford from the very beginning,' Guillaume Jesel, president and chief executive at Tom Ford, said in a statement.
'Along with his team, Peter has contributed to this important initial phase of development. I wish him all the best in his next chapter,' added Lelio Gavazza, CEO of Tom Ford Fashion at Ermenegildo Zegna Group. The shake-up comes hot on the heels of a string of high-profile exits at some of fashion’s biggest labels.
In March, Pier Paolo Piccioli , succeeded by former Gucci designer Alessandro Michele. That same week, , hosting his swans.