The 2009 TIME 100 Finalists

Cast your votes for the leaders, artists, entrepreneurs and thinkers who deserve a spot on this year's TIME 100. — By Brian Raftery

Tom Ford

Stephane Cardinale / People Avenue / Corbis
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AGE: 47
OCCUPATION: Fashion designer
PREVIOUS APPEARANCES ON THE TIME 100: 0

PRO: The former Gucci guru has retained his upscale industry cred — he won last year's CFDA Menswear Designer of the Year award — while expanding his retail empire around the globe. If we may quote from fashion blogger Kanye West, "IS IT ME OR DO TOM FORD SUNGLASSES RULE THE WORLD?"

CON: The way the economy's heading, some of Ford's higher-priced items could be a tough sell.

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