After a successful 10-year career as a Creative Director for GUCCI, YVES SAINT LAURENT and later on, the entire GUCCI GROUP, TOM FORD announced the creation of his own brand in April 2005. Ford was joined in this venture by former GUCCI GROUP President & Chief Executive Officer, Domenico De Sole, who serves as Chairman of the company.

In that same year, Ford announced an alliance with ESTÉE LAUDER to create the TOM FORD BEAUTY brand for the development of fragrances and cosmetics. The first fragrance produced under this alliance, Black Orchid (2006) was an immediate success. A series of successful fragrances for men and women have since been launched, along with a prestige line, Tom Ford Private Blend, whose first fragrance was Purple Patchouli in 2007.