Tom Ford Womenswear

The rumours are true: Tom Ford has confirmed he will launch a women's line - the only question is when.

"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," Ford told WWD.

Ford found fame with his brash, super-sexy designs for Gucci in the '90s. Since leaving the brand in 2004, Ford has been immersed in establishing his own eponymous label, which now includes menswear, eyewear and fragrance lines. Most recently Ford has turned his hand to film, directing the critically acclaimed A Single Man.

Reports suggest Ford and his business partner, Domenico De Sole, are seeking $US50 million in order to debut the collection for the northern hemisphere's autumn/winter 2010. But, says the designer, there's no rush.

"This is something that I plan on doing for the next 30 years of my life, so if I have to wait another six months or a year [to launch women's], it's OK."