Upon completing his foray into film, Tom Ford is now venturing into womenswear.

The designer has reportedly started recruiting accessories specialists and is putting together a design team for a return to the ladies clothing market, his first foray into the area under his own name. Tom confirmed his intentions to move back toward womenswear last year, saying in October, “Financing is extremely expensive right now, so if we find financing in the right situation we’ll be able to start a women’s collection soon. If we don’t, we may have to wait a while.”

He warned, however, the project would take over a year to complete, adding, “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.” 

Meanwhile, Tom - who has previously worked for Gucci and Yves Saint Laurent - dressed Oscars hosts Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin for last night’s ceremony, which included a costume changed for Alec from a single-breasted tuxedo with grosgrain peak lapels, white pique front shirts and black grosgrain cummerbunds and bow ties to a navy blue, single-breasted tuxedo with a grosgrain peak lapel.

Colin Firth - who starred in Tom’s directorial debut film A Single Man for which he was nominated for the Best Actor award - was also dressed by the designer at the Oscars.