Tom Ford Declares Intent to Dress Women Again

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Tom Ford tells us all what we've been waiting to hear, kind of. He is definitely going to be coming back to women's clothing (hooray!) but is not on record yet as to when that might happen. "You know it will take me 18 months when I start, because [I have] to hire the team, find the factories, put everything together and then get the stores ready so there's a place for these clothes," said Ford. Right now he is still looking for financing. If it helps, we've got a jar full of pennies that's not doing anything right now.

WWD estimates that the company is seeking $50 million or more to fund a women’s collection, but the company is privately held and won't discuss financials other than to say its stores are doing well right now. Ford has a lot of things in his favor for this project. As his business partner, Domenico De Sole, says: "We have the advantage of being a younger brand that’s in a growing mode." In other words, Ford is cool. Additionally, Ford's men's line is outperforming its competitors during the recession, and Ford says he's optimistic that the luxury market is heading to recovery.
· Tom Ford to Launch Women's 'Very Soon' [WWD]