Lauder Announces Tom Ford Leadership Team as New Era Begins For Iconic Brand

It is the start of new era at Tom Ford. Guillaume Jesel has been named president and CEO of Tom Ford, which last week moved into the fold of The Estée Lauder Companies.

ELC closed its deal to acquire the iconic brand on Friday, April 28. The $2.8 billion deal, which was first announced in November 2022, establishes ELC as the sole owner of the Tom Ford brand and all its intellectual property.

Additionally, Peter Hawkings has been appointed creative director of Tom Ford, and a CEO of Tom Ford Fashion will be announced in July by Ermenegildo Zegna N.V., which licenses the brand in the fashion and accessories categories.

The new leaders will work together to ensure a consistent and cohesive image across all products, brand communication and retail, according to ELC.

Ford's Departure

Ford said he “could not be happier” with the acquisition by The Estée Lauder Companies.

He and Domenico De Sole, who has been with Ford since the start, will continue to serve as brand advisors through the end of calendar 2023.

“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,” Ford added in a statement.

Jesel’s Leadership Role

Jesel brings nearly a decade of successful brand leadership of Tom Ford Beauty to his new executive leadership position at the Tom Ford brand. As president and CEO of Tom Ford, he will have oversight across all verticals and set a holistic luxury strategy for the brand. Guillaume will report to ELC executive leaders Jane Hertzmark Hudis, executive group president, and Tracey T. Travis, executive vice president and chief financial officer.

“Guillaume has been instrumental in shaping the luxury beauty sector of our business. His ability to articulate the Tom Ford brand has resulted in Tom Ford Beauty achieving remarkable global success, making him ideally suited to lead the Tom Ford brand into its exciting future,” said Fabrizio Freda, president and CEO, The Estée Lauder Companies.

Under Guillaume’s tenured leadership at Tom Ford Beauty, where he worked directly with Ford and his team, the brand spearheaded iconic innovation and strategically expanded its global reach, firmly establishing the brnad as a powerhouse in luxury beauty. Since 2014 when Guillaume started with Tom Ford Beauty, he has led the brand to achieve strong net sales growth on a compound annual basis and significantly improved ranking in global prestige fragrance and makeup, respectively.

Tom Ford Beauty opened its first stand alone beauty outpost in 2017.

Peter Hawkings

Hawkings has worked alongside Tom Ford for nearly 25 years, most recently as SVP of Tom Ford Menswear. In his ascension to creative director, Hawkings will succeed Ford with respect to his responsibilities as creative director of fashion, including womenswear, menswear and accessory categories, assuming the role of lead designer for the fashion segment and fashion shows. He will report directly to Guillaume and matrix report to the CEO of Tom Ford Fashion. Hawkings began his career in 1998 at Gucci under the helm of Tom Ford.