Tommy Hilfiger
Tommy Hilfiger
Thomas Jacob "Tommy" Hilfigeris an American fashion designer best known for founding the lifestyle brand Tommy Hilfiger Corporation in 1985. After starting his career by co-founding a chain of clothing and record stores in upstate New York in the 1970s, he began designing preppy sportswear for his own eponymous menswear line in the 1980s. The company later expanded into women's clothing and various luxury items such as perfumes, and went public in 1992. In 1997, Hilfiger published his first book,...
NationalityAmerican
ProfessionFashion Designer
Date of Birth24 March 1951
CityElmira, NY
CountryUnited States of America
One of the most important things to me is to make things real, not have models who are perfectly groomed or clothes that are too perfect. It all has to have a twist because that's how people live.
I try not to have regrets and to learn from every experience.
I looked at my competitors and I thought that, If they could do it, I could do it. And if, they are popular and doing well, I could compete with them.
My rule of thumb is to strike a balance by sticking to the classics and playing with color, texture, and print to give them a modern update. On any given day, I keep it simple with jeans or chinos and a comfortable dress shirt.
I think it's dangerous to think that you're successful, because then you become complacent.
In designing a lifestyle brand, you have to know more than just designing clothes.
I knew exactly what I wanted to do. I wanted to build some kind of lifestyle brand that was preppy and cool.
I had eight brothers and sisters. Every Christmas my younger brother Bobby would wake up extra early and open everybody's presents - everybody's - so by the time the rest of us got up, all the gifts were shredded, ribbons off, torn open and thrown aside.
My passion for music has always inspired my designs.
A classic, navy blue blazer is my staple. It's a look that can take you from office meetings to dinner out with friends or family.
Fashion is about affordable luxury ... To succeed, designers need to be affordable, wearable, accessible, and aspirational.
I'm a designer of more than clothes. I am a designer of a very creative concept.
The possibilities are endless, so never be discouraged by a setback, no matter how big.
The road to success is not easy to navigate, but with hard work, drive and passion, it's possible to achieve the American dream.