Tom Ford is an American fashion designer, film director and founder of the luxury brand of the same name. His sunglasses stand out for bold frames and a metal “T” on the temples. Here you can read where Tom Ford comes from, who makes the glasses and which models you can find at Edel-Optics.
Key points at a glance
- Tom Ford was born in Austin, Texas, in 1961, joined Gucci in 1990 and later became creative director at Gucci and Yves Saint Laurent.
- He founded his own brand in 2005; the eyewear is made in cooperation with the Italian manufacturer Marcolin.
- Typical are bold acetate frames, the metal “T” on the temples and a retro-glamour look.
- Models such as Iggy, Dax, Snowdon and Rosco are currently listed in the shop.
Tom Ford eyewear history: from Texas to his own label
Where is Tom Ford from?
Tom Ford was born in Austin, Texas, in 1961. His parents worked as real estate agents, and he grew up in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
What did Tom Ford study in New York?
He first studied art history at New York University and then moved to the Parsons School of Design, where he worked on architecture and design.
From Gucci to his own brand
In 1990 Gucci hired him as a women’s fashion designer and moved him to Milan. He later took charge of Gucci as creative director, and of Yves Saint Laurent as well. He left Gucci in 2004 and founded his own brand in 2005. With Estée Lauder he built a beauty line, with Marcolin eyewear collections.
Besides fashion, Tom Ford works as a film director. His first feature film, “A Single Man”, came out in 2009, followed by “Nocturnal Animals” in 2016.
Who makes Tom Ford glasses and who owns the brand?
Since the brand was founded in 2005, Tom Ford has worked with the Italian manufacturer Marcolin on eyewear. The frames carry the Tom Ford name but are not made by the fashion house itself; a partner produces them. The Tom Ford brand has belonged to the cosmetics group Estée Lauder since 2023.
Tom Ford sunglasses: style, material and quality
Tom Ford stands for frames that are easy to recognise: bold acetate or metal, striking shapes and the “T” on the temple or hinge. The range runs from aviator shapes through square and round frames to large women’s styles. The glasses look classic and glamorous at the same time.
On quality: good glasses have clean edges, even surfaces and hinges without play. Sunglasses should carry a CE mark and UV400; the details are on each product page. For more on the materials and craftsmanship of expensive brands, read our guide to luxury eyewear.
Who wears Tom Ford glasses?
The frames are usually large and eye-catching. They suit anyone who wants sunglasses to be part of the outfit, women and men alike. We make no statements about which celebrities currently wear the brand. With large frames, look for a good nose fit so they do not slip, and check lens width, bridge width and temple length on the inside of the temple. Which glasses frames suit my shape of face? shows which shape works for your face.
At Edel-Optics you can also order sunglasses with lenses in your prescription if you wish. The product page shows whether a model is suitable.
Current Tom Ford sunglasses in the shop
At the moment the models listed at Edel-Optics include Iggy, Dax, Snowdon, Rosco, Jacob, Ian-02, Beatrix-02, Dante, Kemp and Guillaume, some of them in several colours. The overview shows which variants are available right now.
Tom Ford Iggy (FT1364 52N)£157.83
Tom Ford Iggy (FT1364 01A)£157.83
Tom Ford Jacob (FT0447 01P)£173.88
Tom Ford Dax (FT0751-N 01A)£157.83
Tom Ford Snowdon (FT0237 05B)£155.36
Tom Ford Rosco (FT1022 01A)£173.88
Tom Ford Ian-02 (FT0591 01A)£157.83
Tom Ford Dax (FT0751 52N)£157.83Frequently asked questions about Tom Ford
Is Tom Ford a luxury brand?
Yes, Tom Ford is one of the luxury brands in eyewear. Material, craftsmanship, design and the brand name explain the higher price.
Why are Tom Ford glasses so expensive?
Part of the price lies in material and workmanship, such as thick acetate, metal details and solid hinges. Another part goes to design, smaller production runs and the name. A high price alone does not prove quality, so look at the individual frame.
What are Tom Ford glasses like in daily wear?
That depends on fit and taste. The frames are usually large, so check the measurements and whether the nose fit suits your nose.
