Thomas Jacob " Tommy " Hilfiger (born March 24, 1951) is an American fashion designer famous for establishing the Tommy Hilfiger Corporation lifestyle brand in 1985. After starting his career by setting up a record store chain in New York in the 1970s, he began designing preppy for men's clothing lines in the 1980s. The company later expanded into women's clothing and a variety of luxury items such as perfumes, and went public in 1992. In 1997 Hilfiger published his first book, entitled All American: A Style Book , and he has written several since, including Tommy Hilfiger via Assouline in 2010. Memoir Hilfiger, American Dreamer: My Life in Fashion & amp; Business , written with Peter Knobler, published November 1, 2016. Hilfiger's collection is often influenced by the fashion subculture of music and is marketed in conjunction with the music industry, with celebrities such as R & B American Aaliyah in the 1990s. In 2005, contestants in the CBS reality show The Cut competed for design work with Hilfiger in a manner similar to The Apprentice . In 2006, Hilfiger sold his company for $ 1.6 billion to Apax Partners, and sold again in 2010 to Phillips-Van Heusen for $ 3 billion. He remains the company's principal designer, leads the design team and oversees the entire creative process. In 2012 Hilfiger was awarded the Geoffrey Beene Lifetime Award from the American Fashion Designer Board.
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Early life and education
Thomas Jacob "Tommy" Hilfiger was born March 24, 1951 in Elmira, New York. The second of nine children, both parents are practicing Catholic. His father Richard is a Dutch-German watchmaker and his mother Virginia (nÃÆ' Â © e Gerrity) is a nurse of Irish descent. Hilfiger also claimed the direct descendants of the Scottish poet Robert Burns. Hilfiger describes his upbringing as very happy. He praises his parents by instilling good work ethics and compassion for others. Hilfiger has an early interest in sports, fashion, and the music industry, a trend that runs in his family. One of his brothers, Andy Hilfiger, went on to work as a musician and designer, while other Hilfiger brother Billy Hilfiger will join King Flux as a guitarist. Hilfiger graduated from the Elmira Free Academy school in 1970. His parents wanted him to get a college education and pursue a traditional career, and for some time he attended the GST BOCES Bush Campus in Elmira.
Maps Tommy Hilfiger
Business and fashion career
Places People and the starting line (1970s- 1983)
Hilfiger spent the summer of 1969 working at a clothing store on Cape Cod, and after that he decided to use his $ 150 life savings to open a clothing store with two friends. Opened in 1971 as the People's Place, the first store is located in downtown Elmira in what is now the site of First Arena, and has a hair salon, record store, and rock concert in the basement. To save his shop, Hilfiger and his friends will go to New York City to buy clothes such as bel-bottoms, peasant blouses, and leather jackets. Slightly dissatisfied with the clothes he bought from other suppliers, Hilfiger began sketching his own designs, and then wrote that "designing makes me happier than anything I've ever done, I know from that early work that designing is my life."
Despite its initial success, after seven years of selling "hippie supplies such as bell-bottoms, incense and record" from ten stores, People's Place went bust in 1977, when Hilfiger was 25 years old. He is often referred to this point in his life as an MBA in the real world. At this point Hilfiger is registered in the trading class and business side of the fashion industry. After moving to New York City and working for several different labels, he founded a company called Tommy Hill in 1979, forming a design team at the age of 28. One of his first clients was Jordache Jeans, and as a Hilfiger company developed beyond denim he spent time in India, learn more about his trade: "I will sit in the factory with a pile of sketches and see them being made, adjusting as I go There are no better design schools in the world." In 1981 he founded the 20th Century Survival company, and the following year he founded Click Point, which designed women's clothing.
The establishment of Tommy Hilfiger Inc. (1984-1990s)
After Tommy Hillfiger made several repetitions, in 1984, Hilfiger's first wife, Susie Cirona, became pregnant with their first child. Looking for more stability, Hilfiger was relieved to be offered a design position with Calvin Klein. However, after he accepts Calvin Klein's position but before he begins to work, he is approached by businessman Mohan Murjani, to pursue his goal of designing and towards the male sporting line. Murjani supports the investment needed for Hilfiger to build his own brand. Then Hilfiger supervised Coca-Cola's clothing line design for Murjani.
"[Waiting to form my own eponymate line] stems from the desire to create something that is not out there.I am totally in tune with the market - I know what is there, and I want it to be different.It's probably a small town kid in in me, but I always liked the look of the prep school, the traditional Ivy League, and the clothes worn by sailors and athletes.I wanted to take these familiar old things and give them a more relaxed attitude, to make it modern and cool.... [with Tommy Hilfiger Corporation in 1985], finally, I feel like I'm doing a natural, fun job.The brand we built is so honest, so loyal to who I am, that it does not feel like a struggle at all. "
In 1985, he founded Tommy Hilfiger Corporation with support from The Murjani Group. The new clothing line debuted with a high-profile marketing campaign, such as setting up a large billboard in Times Square designed by George Lois. Hilfiger left Murjani International in 1989, with Silas Chou providing financial support to the Hilfiger brand, and former executive Ralph Lauren was taken as executive of the newly formed company Tommy Hilfiger, Inc. Tommy Hilfiger Corporation became a public company in 1992, introducing Hilfiger's men's collections. Hilfiger was named Menswear Designer of the Year by Council of Fashion Designers of America in 1995. After the license of Pepe Jeans USA in 1995, in 1996, Tommy Hilfiger Inc. began to distribute women's clothing. By the end of the following year Hilfiger had opened his first store in Beverly Hills, followed by a shop in London in 1998. Hilfiger served as co-chairman of the company in 1997, and that year he published his first book, entitled All American: A Style Book .
Increased brand exposure (1990s-2004)
Loyal rock and roll fans for life, Hilfiger's collection is often influenced by the music subculture mode. Clothing was also marketed in relation to the music industry, and in early 1993 Hilfiger was the official sponsor for Psychoderelict tour of Pete Townshend. Hilfiger has also sponsored several musical events, including Sheryl Crow's If It Makes You Happy tour in 1997, Britney Spears 1999... Baby One More Time Tour as the main sponsor, and Lenny Kravitz's 1999 Freedom tour. In the mid-1990s, Hilfiger clothing styles were very popular with the American "preppy" scene and as a hip-hop mode. American R & D icon Aaliyah became the widely publicized spokesperson for Tommy Hilfiger Corporation in 1997.
Hilfiger has a cameo in spool mode Zoolander in 2001, and from 2002 to 2006 Tommy Hilfiger INc. has a naming rights for Tommy Hilfiger at the Jones Beach Theater venue. Mostly because sales declined in the early 2000s, Hilfiger began reworking the brand, trying to maintain the designer brand exclusivity of the Hilfiger label by signing an agreement to distribute the best-selling Hilfiger line on Macy's only. Tommy Hilfiger Corporation continues to work closely with musicians in the 2000s, focusing on fragrances and clothing. Sweetface Fashion, which has J.Lo by Jennifer Lopez line, was purchased by Tommy Hilfiger in 2003. True Star, a fragrance backed by Hilfiger and released in 2004, features Beyoncà ©  © as its poster girl. The company Tommy Hilfiger Corporation had revenues of approximately $ 1.8 billion, and 5,400 employees in 2004.
Media view (2005-2011)
In 2005, a CBS reality event called The Cut tracked the development of sixteen contestants as they competed for design work with Tommy Hilfiger and their own fashion line under the Hilfiger label. The event evolved in a similar way to Donald Trump The Apprentice . After a final competition involving display window settings for Macy's Herald Square location in New York, Hilfiger chose Chris Cortez as "the next great American designer." In 2006, Tommy Hilfiger sold the company for $ 1.6 billion, or $ 16.80 per share, to Apax Partners, a private investment company. In 2008 Hilfiger, Rives, and Bar Refaeli co-hosted the special program Bravo Tommy Hilfiger Presents Ironic Iconic America . Based on the Ironic Iconic America book written by Hilfiger and designer George Lois, the program examines how pop culture has influenced American tastes and styles. In 2009 Hilfiger was a guest judge on an episode of Project Runway, and he presented the Best African Artist Award for Akon at the 2010 World Music Awards.
Phillips-Van Heusen, owner of Calvin Klein, bought Tommy Hilfiger Corporation for $ 3 billion in March 2010. Tommy Hilfiger online and in-store advertising campaign called "Meet The Hilfigers" began in August 2010 and lasts until August 2011. In 2011 , Hilfiger and partners signed a contract to purchase the Metropolitan Life Life Insurance Tower building for $ 170 million, planning to turn it into Hilfiger's first hotel, with luxury condominiums. Hilfiger retired from the project in September 2011. A guest judge at the end of the Project Runway: All Stars along with Ken Downing in 2012, shortly after that he served as a fashion consultant for contestants in season 11 of < i> American Idol .
Recent years and memoirs (2012-2016)
Hilfiger was instrumental in the creation of Marc Anthony's Collections in 2012, as Marc Anthony was never interested in fashion business until Hilfiger called him and assured him that a line was worthwhile. In 2012, Hilfiger was awarded the Geoffrey Beene Lifetime Award from the American Fashion Designer Board. Global sales in retail for brands in 2013 are US $ 6.4 billion, and $ 6.7 billion in 2014. Hilfiger remains the company's primary designer, leading the design team and overseeing the entire creative process. In 2016, he collaborated with the Gigi Hadid model on clothing designs that launched the TommyXGigi clothing collection. On February 8, 2017, the brand will host a ready-made event in Los Angeles, the first time the brand will not be part of New York Fashion Week.
In January 2015, Hilfiger announced that he was working on his memoir. The book was written chronologically for a year, with Hilfiger explaining "I hesitate to write it, but thought I'd better do it now because sometime I might forget." Co-writer Peter Knobler has full access to interviewing friends and family, with Hilfiger citing the vividness of Diane von Furstenberg's memoir as an inspiration. Calling the process of writing "great therapy" and "exciting," Hilfiger insisted that he "wanted to give people the heart of what goes on behind the fashion industry." He reads the selection from the book in June 2016 at Literacy Partners of Readers and Gala Dinner Dance. Hilfiger Hikay, American Dreamer: My Life in Fashion & amp; Business , written with Peter Knobler, was published on November 1, 2016. In a statement, Hilfiger described it as "a roadmap of moments that have defined both my [40-year] career and my personal life." and this book covers his childhood, his initial business venture, and his later life in fashion. With Kirkus's review calling it "an honest, easy, mostly entertaining autobiography," Hilfiger made an appearance for the book at the Miami Book Fair shortly after it was released. American Dreamer appears on the New York Times Best Seller List in December 2016
Charity work
In 1995 Hilfiger launched The Tommy Hilfiger Corporate Foundation. With an emphasis on health, education and culture programs, the organization supports charitable activities focused on risky American youth. In 1998 Hilfiger was one of several sponsors together with Moet and Chandon, Christie's Auction House, and The Advocate of LIFEbeat charity The Music Industry Fights AIDS. He is also personally involved in charities and causes such as Autism Speaks and MLK, Jr. The National Memorial Project Foundation, and he has served on the board of directors for The Fresh Air Fund, a New York-based group that helps disadvantaged children attend summer camps. The Fresh Air Pillar Pioneering Program was renamed Camp Tommy in 1999, in honor of Hilfiger's support.
Since 2008, Hilfiger has designed a limited edition bag in support of Breast Health International (BHI), an international organization focused on drug discovery for breast cancer. A portion of the handbag sales were donated to the BHI Living For Life program, with celebrity ambassadors assigned to each seasonal campaign. In 2013, Claudia Schiffer and Naomi Campbell modeled the BHI bag in a photo shoot with photographer Patrick Demarchelier.
Millennium Promise, a non-profit organization focused on eradicating extreme poverty, hunger and preventable diseases in poor areas, classifies Hilfiger as MDGs MDGs Global Leader, and in 2009 Hilfiger made a five-year $ 2 million commitment to the Millennium Promise. The donation was given to relief efforts in the city of Uganda, with the aim of increasing citizens' access to needs such as clean water, education, and agricultural techniques. In 2012, all the philanthropic activities of The Tommy Hilfiger Corporate Foundation were renamed Tommy Cares, a broader reaching global initiative that increasingly integrates brand nonprofit partnerships, charitable contributions, and employee engagement. On a global scale, Tommy Cares continues to support organizations like Save the Children, World Wildlife Fund, War Child and Millennium Promise. Hilfiger and his wife are on the board of Autism Speaks in 2012, and through the organization, Hilfiger sponsors the Golden Door Film Festival in September 2014.
Legal
- Main: Corporate responsibility at Tommy Hilfiger Corporation
Recognition
- For a similar list in the eponymous company, see Tommy Hilfiger's company recognition.
The following is a list of award and recognition options for Tommy Hilfiger:
- 1995: American Fashion Designer Board - Designer of Men's Clothing of the Year
- 1997: FiFi Awards - Men's Fragrance of the Year - Luxe, for the aroma of "Tommy"
- 1998: Parsons School of Design - Designer of the Year Award
- 1998: GQ Magazine - Designer of the Year for the 'Men of the Year' edition
- 2000: FiFi Awards - The Best Marketing Innovation of the Year, for Bathroom Supplies for Tommy (American run series)
- 2002: German GQ - International Designer of the Year
- 2002: Drug Abuse Resilience Education - Future of America Award, for philanthropic efforts for American youth
- 2006: Spanish GQ - Designer of the Year
- 2006: Harvard Foundation - Peter J. Gomes Humanitarian of the Year
- 2006: We are a Family Foundation - Visionary Award
- 2007: Hispanic Federation - Individual Achievement Award
- 2008: Women's Wear Daily - Designer No. 1 and No. Brand. 16 in the annual "100 Lists"
- 2009: UNESCO - UNESCO Support Award, for philanthropic endeavor
- 2009: Marie Claire Magazine - Lifetime Achievement Award
- 2010: Pratt Institute - Legends Award
- 2012: American Fashion Designer Board - Geoffrey Beene's Lifetime Achievement Award, presented by Anna Wintour
- 2015: Competition For Removing MS - honored for commitment to find a cure for MS
Style and impact
While Hilfiger's earliest designs drew in the 1960s counter-culture and fashion, since the 1980s its design is typically appealing from the classic American New England style. The starting line for Tommy Hilfiger Corporation was primarily designed to attract young men looking for designer clothing, and Tommy Hilfiger became one of the most famous brands in the 1990s sport, with Polo Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein, Nautica, DKNY and Donna Karan also popular. Each of these companies creates special cabinets based on versatile, comfortable, and replaceable clothing, all with a focus on luxury.
Hip hop fashion generally started incorporating the Hilfiger brand in the 1990s, and when Snoop Doggy Dogg wore a Hilfiger jersey during an appearance on Saturday Night Live it was sold out of New York City saving the next day. In addition, Hilfiger wooed a new hip hop market, and rappers like Puffy and Coolio walked during runway performances. Special items like Tommy Hilfiger's carpenter jeans are becoming very popular, with the trademark logo featured on the hammer loop. Hilfiger continues to maintain several clothing lines, some focus on "casual" clothing that can be worn while others take various haute couture commissions. In addition to the style of his young children, Hilfiger is also always influenced by the style of various American icons, including Grace Kelly, James Dean, Deborah Harry, Iggy Pop, Farrah Fawcett, Steve McQueen, Jackie and John F. Kennedy, and Andy Warhol. Many of its designs stand out from the style of hard rock and the pop music industry.
Personal life
In 1976 Hilfiger met Susan Cirona, an employee at People's Place in Ithaca, and they were married in 1980. Together they had four children. In 2003 Hilfiger's daughter, Ally is part of the MTV reality series Rich Girls . His son, Richard ("Ricky Hil"), is a musician. After divorcing in 2000, on 12 December 2008, Hilfiger married his second wife Dee Ocleppo Hilfiger; the couple had a son in 2009.
Publish history
Movieography
See also
- List of fashion designers
- List of designer shoes
References
External links
- Tommy.com
- TommyCares.com
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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