Peter Hawkings, who became Tom Ford’s creative director in 2023, has exited the luxury fashion house, as confirmed by Estée Lauder Companies in a recent statement. The departure comes just a year after Ford’s label was acquired by Estée Lauder and licensed to Italian group Zegna.
Hawkings, a key figure at Tom Ford for over 20 years, including his role as senior vice president of Tom Ford Menswear, took over from Ford last spring following a US $ 2.8 billion acquisition deal. Despite his successful tenure, marked by notable collections paying homage to Ford’s Gucci era and innovative outerwear designs, Hawkings’ departure adds uncertainty to the brand’s future.
Tom Ford’s Spring-Summer 2025 collection will be showcased in Milan rather than on the runway. The shift in leadership raises questions about the brand’s trajectory, especially as Zegna Group plans to expand Tom Ford’s store presence and relaunch its womenswear line. Analysts suggest that the change could impact Zegna’s growth strategy, particularly amid a slowdown in luxury demand and weaker consumer trends in China.
The company is expected to provide more details on Hawkings’ exit during an upcoming financial results conference call.
