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Tom Ford appoints Guillaume Jesel president and CEO, Peter Hawkings is new creative director

The Estée Lauder Companies has completed its acquisition of the Tom Ford brand, achieving sole ownership of the brand and its intellectual property, and with it come the appointments of a new chief executive officer as well as a creative director to lead the brand’s next chapter.

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Guillaume Jesel has been named president and chief executive officer of Tom Ford, while Peter Hawkings has been named creative director, effective at the closing of the acquisition.

Guillaume Jesel, president and chief executive officer, Tom Ford, will report to ELC executive leaders Jane Hertzmark Hudis, executive group president, and Tracey T. Travis, executive vice president and chief financial officer. Source: Tom Ford

Zegna Group, which holds the license for Tom Ford fashion and accessories, has also appointed a chief executive officer of Tom Ford Fashion, expected to be announced in July and assume the role in the third quarter of 2023. Marcolin Group will continue to hold the license for Tom Ford eyewear.

“I could not be happier with the acquisition of the TOM FORD brand by the Estée Lauder Companies. The team there has been a great partner and Guillaume is an exceptional leader, with not only a strong business understanding of beauty, but a great understanding of fashion as well,” said Tom Ford, who will remain as brand advisor alongside Domenico De Sole through the end of the year.

Domenico De Sole added, “I am delighted with this acquisition. We have had a long-standing partnership between the Tom Ford brand and the Estée Lauder Companies dating from the brand’s inception, as well as a close relationship with Gildo Zegna and the Zegna Group over the past 30 years. Given our long and successful histories together, I am certain that the two companies, together, will carry on the legacy that Tom and I have built over the past 18 years.”

Having led Tom Ford Beauty for nearly a decade, Guillaume Jesel, who has worked directly with Ford since 2014, is no stranger to the brand. In his elevated role, Jesel will oversee all Tom Ford verticals and “set a holistic luxury strategy” for the brand.

Fabrizio Freda, president and chief executive officer of the Estée Lauder Companies, described Jesel as “instrumental in shaping the luxury beauty sector of our business,” crediting him for the global success of Tom Ford Beauty.

Peter Hawkings, creative director, Tom Ford. Source: Tom Ford

Newly appointed creative director Peter Hawkings, meanwhile, began his career as a menswear design assistant at Gucci under Ford in 1998 and continued working with the designer for almost 25 years.

He departed Gucci in 2006, when Ford decided to launch his eponymous brand, and rose through the ranks, most recently as senior vice president of Tom Ford menswear.

Hawkings now succeeds the designer himself as creative director of fashion across womenswear, menswear, and accessories, and lead designer for the brand’s fashion shows.

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“In Peter Hawkings the brand has found the perfect Creative Director,” said Tom Ford. “Since the creation of Tom Ford menswear, Peter has been instrumental in the success of the brand. He is an incredibly talented leader with tremendous industry experience, and his appointment gives me confidence that my commitment to creating fashion products with the highest level of design and quality will continue.”