The story of Tom Ford
After reviving Gucci in the 1990s and leading design at Yves Saint Laurent, Tom Ford founded his own brand in 2005 with Domenico De Sole. Beauty was developed from the outset in partnership with the Estée Lauder group. In 2006 Black Orchid, a dark floral oriental of truffle and patchouli, set the tone. The following year the Private Blend collection opened a more exclusive luxury perfumery, with Tobacco Vanille, Oud Wood, Noir de Noir and Tuscan Leather, all now references. Oud Wood in particular helped popularise oud with Western audiences. More hits followed: Neroli Portofino, Soleil Blanc, Lost Cherry, Ombre Leather, up to the deliberate provocations of Fucking Fabulous and Bitter Peach. In 2023 the Estée Lauder group acquired the Tom Ford brand outright, cementing a partnership that had shaped its fragrances from the very beginning.
An olfactory signature
Tom Ford cultivates a sensual, showy luxury. Leather is everywhere: Tuscan Leather with its saffron-laced raspberry, Ombre Leather with cardamom, Fucking Fabulous with almond. Tobacco and vanilla form an emblematic duo in Tobacco Vanille, echoed by Tobacco Oud. Oud structures Oud Wood and Noir de Noir, boozy fruit drives Lost Cherry and Bitter Peach. Even the fresher scents, Neroli Portofino or Soleil Blanc, keep a generous amber or tonka base.
Which Tom Ford perfume to choose?
For a first Tom Ford, Oud Wood is the most approachable oud and Tobacco Vanille the benchmark spicy gourmand. Leather lovers can weigh the fruitier Tuscan Leather against the more affordable Ombre Leather. Lost Cherry and Bitter Peach will please fans of boozy fruit, Black Orchid those of dark orientals. For summer, choose Neroli Portofino or Soleil Blanc.
