Published: 2022-12-12 ǀ Updated: 2024-07-08

Tommy Hilfiger Biography

Thomas Jacob "Tommy" Hilfiger (* March 24, 1951, in Elmira, New York) has shaped the American college style like no other, he is generally considered the pioneer of the All American Style. The so-called preppy look still inspires broad masses today. But the U.S. designer also won over the hip-hop scene in the nineties. Today, the designer is committed to more sustainability in fashion. However, his weakness for bell-bottoms has remained.

Tommy Hilfiger Portrait created with Midjourney

Vita

1969

At the age of 18, Hilfiger begins to buy pants and bell-bottoms to resell them according to his own changes. For this purpose, he opens the People's Place boutique in his hometown of Elmira, which becomes a meeting place for young people.

People’s Place in Elmira
After the boutique had to close after seven years, Hilfiger moved to New York with his wife and from then on devoted himself to designing clothing. However, he turned down offers from Calvin Klein and Perry Ellis with thanks.
1985

The designer founded the Tommy Hilfiger Corporation and launched clothing under his own brand name for the first time.
1986

Hilfiger pays several million USD into a fund after it becomes public that the company was involved in the exploitation of seamstresses, mainly in China.
1990

The company goes public.

Tommy Hilfiger Corporation goes public
Hilfiger conquers the music world. Hip-hop stars like Snoop Dogg wear its clothes, Lenny Kravitz and Aaliyah participate in its advertising campaigns. The designs go straight to market in oversized baggy looks and conquer a new target group.
1995

Hilfiger is named Menswear Designer of the Year by the Council of Fashion Designers of America. He establishes the Tommy Hilfiger Corporate Foundation, which works to improve the lives of young people through culture and education. Hilfiger's jeans produced by Pepe Jeans are offered in stores for the first time.

Hilfiger Jeans
1997

The company's European headquarters opens in Amsterdam. From then on, the brand is increasingly placed in the European market. For this purpose, the company hired its own designers and launched product lines. Germany becomes a major market for Hilfiger fashion.

Hilfiger Headquaters Amsterdam
1998

Hilfiger receives the Designer of the Year Award from the Parsons School of Design in New York.
2004

Hilfiger buys the brand rights from Karl Lagerfeld. However, this cannot make up for the loss of sales in previous years.
2005

Hilfiger sells his entire company to the investment firm Apax Partners as a result of permanently declining sales figures. However, he remains chief designer and honorary chairman of the board of directors. The company is privatized during the sale and thus disappears from the stock market again.

Tommy Hilfiger Corporation leaves the stock exchange
2010

Fashion group Philips-Van-Heusen buys the company for around 2.2 billion euros. Again, Hilfiger retains the post of chief designer and holds it until now.
2008

Hilfiger marries former model Dee Ocleppo.
2009

Hilfiger received the UNESCO Support Award and the Marie Claire Lifetime Achievement Award.
2012

The label has been part of the Better Cotton Initiative and is gradually converting its production to organic cotton. It has also set itself further ambitious goals for more sustainability in fashion.
2015

The company launched its first digital showroom, helping to transform the fashion industry completely. (CIO )
2022

Tommy Hilfiger is calling on social entrepreneurs from underrepresented communities to participate in its sustainability vision Waste Nothing and Welcome All for the fourth time as part of the Tommy Hilfiger Fashion Frontier Challenge. The program serves to develop revolutionary innovations to create an inclusive future for fashion. (finanznachrichten.de )