Without a doubt, Tom Ford is one of the most iconic fashion brands. Just two months ago, it made its highly anticipated return to the New York Fashion Week – and the show was one, if not the most star-studded event of the week. The Wall Street Journal has now reported that Kering is in advanced discussions to buy the brand. Competition comes from rivals such as Estee Lauder which are also keenly working on a deal but right now, Kering appears to be the front-runner and a deal could be announced soon.
Kering has a market capitalization of more than $60 billion so it has more than ample resources to acquire the brand. Earlier this summer, there were rumors that Tom Ford was in negotiations for a $3 billion deal. We will see what the final price tag will be and if Tom Ford decides to sell itself. It would likely be welcome news for Kering shareholders. The shares of the group which owns brands like Balenciaga, Bottega Veneta, Gucci, Alexander McQueen and Yves Saint Laurent are currently at the same levels they were in 2017. By comparison, Kering’s rival LVMH has seen its share price more than double over the same time period.
If Tom Ford decides to sell the brand, he will have certainly made a part of fashion history. The former creative director at Gucci and Yves Saint Laurent only launched the eponymous brand in 2005. Undoubtably, he has re-defined and modernized what class and elegance look like. His made-to-measure suits and shirts make millions of men across the world look like real-life James Bonds and his dresses grace runways and red carpets around the world. One can only hope that whoever ends up buying the brand, will make the vision and class of Tom Ford live on.
Cover Image courtesy of Tom Ford
