One thing’s certain: Tom Ford is a name that means something, but just what that something might be is a little harder to tell. He’s known for his reputation as undisputed master of style extraordinaire, his success as a film director (his very first film ‘A Single Man’ was nominated for an Oscar) and for being super, and we mean super, into sex.

In the mid 90’s Ford was appointed Creative Director of Gucci and rescued the fashion house from the depths of near obscurity, (aka fashion hell), reinvigorating the label with injections of sexy glam 70’s vibes, washing the runway in velvet hip huggers and satin blouses, and leather loafers. Delicious.

2006 saw the dramatic birth Tom Ford’s eponymous label. After leaving Gucci, Ford launched lines of menswear, beauty, eyewear and accessories under his own name, much to fashion’s delight. Now one of the world’s most loved brands and valued as a billion-dollar company, the Tom Ford brand is the epitome of brazen sex appeal and mysterious glamour.

Teaming up with iconic photographer Steven Klein, Tom Ford’s appearance his Valley Of The Dolls shoot for DNA was as genius as it was bizarre. Featuring rubber masks, a lot of skin and Ford getting off with extremely hot models, the shoot questioned our perceptions of reality, and whether art is really to be believed.

In 99′ Ford worked his magic once again, this time taking on the creative director role at the powerhouse that is Yves Saint Laurent. For his first collection he went simple and strong, think all black and white, power suits, minidresses + tight corsets and twisted straps. TF won a number of awards for his work at YSL, crowning him the force behind the brand’s modernisation and its re-entry into the fashion game.

With his big screen debut the designer donned the directors’s hat and showed the world that he wouldn’t be boxed in creatively. The stylish feature (we want every single costume) was all about colour, colour, colour. And Julianne Moore’s hair, of course.

Ford is no stranger to controversial advertising. He made headlines in 2007 with this iconic ‘Tom Ford for Men’ fragrance campaign series shot by Terry Richardson (are we really surprised?) that came under serious heat for being too graphic and was promptly banned in Italy. We told you he was into sex.

For his latest trick, Ford offers us the critically acclaimed psychological thriller, featuring Amy Adams and Jake Gyllenhaal in lead roles and further establishing Ford as mastermind of art, fashion and film. We smell an Oscar.