For decades, Domenico De Sole has been one of the most prominent and successful business leaders in fashion. The start of his now legendary career began as a lawyer who specialized in tax law. He made his way into the fashion industry working at Gucci, where he met then-unknown designer Tom Ford, who would later become his creative counterpart. The two worked in tandem to bring Gucci, then on the brink of bankruptcy, into a global powerhouse brand and one of the hottest brands of the ‘90s. De Sole increased his fashion profile when he became president and CEO of Gucci Group (now known as Kering), which went on to acquire luxury brands including Yves Saint Laurent, Bottega Veneta, Balenciaga, Alexander McQueen, and Stella McCartney. He shocked the industry when, in tandem with Tom Ford, exited the business, then teamed up to build Tom Ford’s own fashion empire with the designer in 2004.  The company was sold to Estee Lauder Companies for $2.8 billion this year.

At 79-years old, De Sole continues to have his hands in fashion. He currently remains on the board of the Zegna Group, Thom Browne, and Pirelli. His decades-long storied career and support of fashion talents, including American designers Tom Ford, Thom Browne, and Derek Lam, is why the fashion executive is receiving the Founder’s Award in Honor of Eleanor Lambert at this year’s CFDA Awards.

Looking back on his illustrious career, De Sole recalls some of his top memorable achievements with us. Take a look.

1) The First “Successful” Fashion Show for GUCCI

Gucci Fall-Winter 1995 collection made headlines, with models including Amber Valetta making their way down the runway with iconic velvet hip-hugger pants that still attract buyers today. 

2) Taking Gucci public on the New York Stock Exchange

In October 1995, the company was publicly indexed on the New York Stock Exchange with an initial stock value set at USD $22

3) Forming an agreement with François-Henri Pinault and the beginning of the Gucci Group

In 2001, Pinault Printemps Redoute fought off LVMH to acquire a controlling share in Gucci after a long battle. 

4) Acquisitions of Balenciaga, Bottega Veneta, Stella McCartney and Alexander McQueen

The Gucci Group (now Kering) under De Sole’s lead began to acquire the luxury houses beginning in 2001. 

5) The start of the TOM FORD brand

The designer started his own brand with De Sole in 2005, starting with menswear, and quickly expanded into other categories. He opened his first Tom Ford store in New York on Madison Avenue in 2007 and launched his first womenswear collection during an intimate presentation at the store in 2010.