Big news: Haider Ackermann has just been announced as the new creative director of Tom Ford. Effective today, Ackermann will be responsible for guiding “the creative vision for the overall brand” and replaces Peter Hawkings, who departed the brand this July after less than a year in charge.

An esteemed and much-respected name in the industry, following stints at John Galliano and time working with the likes of Bernhard Willhelm and Patrick Van Ommeslaeghe, Colombian-born French-national Ackermann launched his eponymous brand in 2001 – with the help of Raf Simons – to critical acclaim, evolving it into a house famed for its louche tailoring and spiritual romance. Karl Lagerfeld famously cited Ackermann as his successor at Chanel, yet Ackermann has not released a full collection since leaving his role as creative director at Berluti in 2018.

“It is with tremendous pride that I will seek to honor the legacy of Tom Ford, a man I have long admired and have the utmost respect for,” said Ackermann. “I am much looking forward to what lies ahead.”

Tom Ford said, “I have long been a great fan of Haider’s work. I find both his womenswear and menswear equally compelling. He is an incredible colorist, his tailoring is sharp, and above all he is modern. We share many of the same historical references, and I could not be more excited to see what he does with the brand. I suspect that I will be the first on my feet to applaud after his show in March.”

Ackermann’s first collection will debut at Paris Fashion Week in March 2025.