Peter Hawkings has exited his position as creative director at Tom Ford.
- Hawkings was appointed creative director just 14 months ago, following the brand’s acquisition by Estée Lauder Companies (ELC).
- His departure leaves the role vacant, with no successor announced yet by ELC.
- Guillaume Jesel, CEO of Tom Ford, expressed gratitude for Hawkings’ contributions to the brand.
- Tom Ford previously expressed confidence in Hawkings’ leadership capabilities.
Peter Hawkings has made the decision to leave his role as the creative director at Tom Ford, a position he took on 14 months ago. This departure comes in the wake of Tom Ford’s acquisition by Estée Lauder Companies (ELC) for $2.8 billion (£2.17 billion) in 2022. With Hawkings’ exit, Estée Lauder has yet to announce a successor for the creative leadership of the renowned fashion house.
In a statement from Guillaume Jesel, the president and CEO of Tom Ford and luxury business development at ELC, he expressed his gratitude towards Hawkings for his significant contributions to the brand from its inception. This reflects the value Hawkings brought to the company during his tenure, despite the brief period he was involved.
Tom Ford himself endorsed Peter Hawkings at the time of his appointment, noting his substantial industry experience and leadership skills. Ford’s statement emphasised his trust in Hawkings to uphold the brand’s commitment to producing fashion products of the highest quality and design. This confidence aligns with the broader industry sentiment regarding Hawkings’ capabilities.
The context of Hawkings’ appointment and subsequent departure is framed by the strategic moves ELC has undertaken since acquiring the brand last year. Hawkings’ exit adds another layer of complexity to the company’s reshaping efforts post-acquisition, leaving the industry waiting in anticipation of who will be chosen to lead Tom Ford’s creative direction moving forward.
Peter Hawkings’ departure marks a significant transition point for Tom Ford as it navigates its post-acquisition strategy under ELC.
