Tommy Hilfiger Goes "Transcontinental"
By The ShowBuzz's Melissa Castellanos
During this year's Fashion Week, Tommy Hilfiger showcased designs that cross international lines, thereby making a bold statement geared toward the on-the-go, modern American woman.
Hilfiger, known for his classic American sportswear, created a collection that transcends an everyday, chic look for the trendy streets of New York and the elegant cobblestone walkways of Paris.
His designs are an ode to the "transcontinental woman," with styles that can be worn effortlessly in the U.S. and overseas, therefore, creating "an international, global look."
"My business now has expanded beyond America and into Europe in a very significant way, so therefore, we are designing for the international woman," Hilfiger told The ShowBuzz.
Photos: Fashion To Fall For
During Fashion Week 2008, Hilfiger's Women's Fall Collection graced the runway on Feb. 7 at Avery Fisher Hall in Lincoln Center in New York. The runway was "dramatic, yet very simple with modern classic elements, with lots of glass," Hilfiger explained.
"I think there is an air of confidence with the clothes and the woman who's wearing these clothes," Hilfiger said. "It's true American sportswear - the way it was known in the 60s and 70s when women were still elegant and chic, but they weren't wearing jeans and T-shirts; they were wearing real true, well-made American sportswear. It's sophisticated, grown up, more refined, elegant, something that she can wear from day into evening."
Amidst the rich fall colors, including navy, black, burgundy and deep reds, Hilfiger accessorizes his Women's Fall Collection with silk scarves, "very chic oversized sunglasses" accompanied with clutches made from very fine leather - alligator, ostrich, crocodile and lizard.
"We always have a nautical slant to the collection, less in the fall then in the spring, but always navy, and navy with red, white and blue," Hilfiger said. "We think that burgundy is a great color to wear with navy, gray flannel and camel."
When it comes to overcoats, whether it be double breasted or not, the buttons are always an eye catcher that add that final touch to complete the look. In this fall collection, Hilfiger uses horn and metallic, four-holed, over-sized buttons.
Hilfiger doesn't want to have his designs be too revealing. He leaves the woman's figure up to the imagination when it comes to lengths and angles.
"We believe in high boots and we believe in mid-length skirts. We don't believe in short-short right now," Hilfiger said. "Very high quality is key and is part of the fashion statement. It says that she's now a woman. She's more confident, more self assured."
Celebrities are drawn to Hilfiger's designs, ranging from actresses Kate Bosworth, Cameron Diaz, Kate Hudson and Maggie Gyllenhaal to Julianne Moore. Hilfiger has also dressed musicians Alicia Keys, Jennifer Lopez, Beyonce and Shakira.
"If normal people are wearing your clothes, than you have done a great job," Hilfiger admitted. "My designs have always been sporty. We don't take ourselves that seriously, that's why sportswear is really the name of the game for us. It's casual yet elegant with a cool factor."
Photos: Celebrity Circuit
Hilfiger's daughter, Ally, who starred on MTV's reality TV show" Rich Girls," is taking after her father, by designing her own clothing and accessories; however, she's putting her own spin on her designs.
"I love the fact that she's creative. She has great taste in her own right," Hilfiger gushed. "She has a knack for putting together vintage with modern. She's more downtown and more chic."
Although she's been bitten by the fashion bug, Ally Hilfiger, who is also a painter, has just finished acting school. Her father said he thinks that we'll someday see her on the big screen.
Hilfiger's son has also broken into the industry - the music industry that is. Rich Hil is a hip-hop artist who was signed by hip-hop super producer Swizz Beatz' label Full Surface.
Last year, Hilfiger also dove into a new venture by teaming up with ad connoisseur and co-author George Lois to create "Iconic America," a book that takes the reader on a journey through the history of American Pop Culture.
Reflecting upon "Iconic America," Hilfiger said that the icon that he can relate to the most in terms of his inspiration for design would be Andy Warhol, the American artist who played a predominant role in the movement called "Pop Art."
"Andy Warhol because he had a knack for bringing fashion, art, music and entertainment together and I like being involved with Pop Culture of today," Hilfiger said.