Tom Ford is an American fashion designer and filmmaker known for launching his luxury brand in 2005. He previously served as creative director at Gucci and Yves Saint Laurent. In the late 1980s, Ford worked at Perry Ellis but felt limited working in American fashion. He believes leaving America allowed him to become a better designer by removing cultural inhibitions. Ford married Richard Buckley in 2014 after being in a relationship since the 1980s. He is recognized as a leading force in luxury fashion and film.