World of Fashion
Tom Ford Secures Belgian Haider Ackermann as Creative Director
by Yvonne Heinen-Foudeh, Senior International Correspondent
American luxury fashion house founded by namesake movie maker and designer Tom Ford SA announced the appointment of Haider Ackermann as the brand's new Creative Director. The Belgian, known for his meticulous cuts and modern style, will be responsible for the creative direction of both the women's and men's collections. His first collection will be presented at Paris Fashion Week in March 2025.
"I am extremely proud to be carrying on the legacy of Tom Ford, whom I have long admired and respected…," said Ackermann of his new role. "…and very excited about what lies ahead." Photos: Marie Claire
"I've been a huge fan of Haider's work for a long time. I find both his womenswear and his menswear equally compelling," said Ford. "He's an incredible colorist, his cuts are sharp, and most importantly, he's modern. We share a lot of historical references, and I'm very excited to see what he does with the brand."
Ackermann was born in Bogotá, Colombia, in 1971 and was adopted by a French-Alsatian family at the age of nine months. In 1994 Ackermann migrated to Belgium to study fashion design at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp. Four years later, he completed a five-month internship with John Galliano. He then started his career as an assistant to Belgian designer Wim Neels before working for Bernhard Willhelm and Patrick Van Ommeslaeghe. In 2001, he showed his first women's collection in Paris. He was also creative director at Berluti from 2016 to 2018 and was involved in the creative process of the Belgian luxury brand Maison Ullens from 2021 to 2023. In February 2020, he presented his last fashion show under his own label.
In the following years, he attracted attention through collaborations such as with the Italian sportswear brand Fila and as a guest designer for Jean Paul Gaultier's haute couture collection.
At Tom Ford SA Haider Ackermann succeeds Peter Hawkings, having departured from the brand in July. This makes Ackermann the second creative director at Tom Ford after the founder of the same name left the post.
Only in May this year Ackermann took on the newly created position of Creative Director at Canada Goose Holdings Inc. Even with his appointment at Tom Ford, he will remain with the Canadian manufacturer of luxury winter clothing, so his statement to the Dutch Fashion United on request, a spokeswoman confirmed to Fashion United. His first seasonal capsule there will be launched before the end of the year.
“We are honored to receive this prestigious award,” stressed Alexander Back in May. Our photo shows the CEO of Anthropics Technology at Marks & Spencer to kick off their pilot with the M & S brand Jaeger in December 2022.
Tom Ford product lines feature ready-to-wear and made-to-measure offerings, footwear and. The company was owned by Ford until 2023 The brand is now owned by The Estée Lauder Companies while the fashion business belongs Italian Ermenegildo Zegna Group through Tom Ford International, NYC.