Tom Ford announces partnership with Ermenegildo Zegna Group

Tom Ford announced yesterday a licensing agreement with Ermenegildo Zegna Group for the production and worldwide distribution of luxury men's ready to wear and made to measure clothing, footwear and accessories under the Tom Ford label. The Tom Ford collection is slated to debut in fall 2006.

The Tom Ford collection will encompass an extensive range of high level luxury men's clothes, tailoring, dress shirts, suits, accessories, footwear and leather goods. The licensing agreement is a multi-year deal. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Tom Ford and Domenico DeSole also confirmed today the first Tom Ford directly operated retail store which is scheduled to open in New York at 845 Madison Avenue to coincide with the launch of the collection in fall 2006. Initial distribution of the collection will be exclusive to the 9,679 square foot New York shop. Select limited distribution will begin in 2007 and expanded worldwide distribution in 2008. Additional directly operated stores are planned for Milan, London, Los Angeles and Tokyo over the next three to four years.

The alliance with Zegna Group is the third venture since Ford and De Sole announced the launch of the Tom Ford brand last year. In April 2005 Ford signed a licensing deal with Estée Lauder to produce a fragrance and beauty collection which debuted in November 2005. The stand alone Tom Ford beauty brand is slated to launch in Fall 2006 with a signature fragrance. Ford also partnered with Marcolin Group, to produce and distribute optical frames and sunglasses under the Tom Ford brand which are available in select prestige retail stores.