Q&A
1. Who is your greatest inspiration?
Rock legends like The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix and The Doors have been constant sources of inspiration since I started designing in the ‘70s. This is what made creating our recent Fall 2017 collection so much fun. It’s inspired by my love of rock-and-roll and fashion, with a mix of glamour and nostalgia. As such, there was no other choice on where to present it - at the Roundhouse in London on September 19th. Home to historic performances by iconic artists like Jimi Hendrix and Elton John, it was the perfect location for our TOMMYNOW event and of my favourite shows to date.
2. What are the major moments in your career that have brought you to where you are now? Or How did you kick-start your brand?
When I was 25, I had to close my first business and declare bankruptcy. I learnt the importance of balancing the creative and business sides of owning a company, and the experience taught me everything I needed to know to start again. I was determined to build the global lifestyle brand we’ve become today.
3. What are the items/rituals you can’t live without to do your job?
Surrounding yourself with great people is essential when growing a global business that needs to stay relevant with consumers. I have been very lucky to have some of the greatest business partners and mentors in the world.
4. What’s your proudest moment in your job to date?
In 1985, George Lois created one of our first outdoor advertisement campaigns in New York City. It became known as the “hangman” campaign, and featured my name alongside established American designers Ralph Lauren, Perry Ellis and Calvin Klein. I first resisted the idea, but eventually agreed to it. Seeing the campaign on a billboard in Times Square was a huge turning point in my career, and put the brand on the map overnight.
5. What made you choose Regent Street as the home for your brand?
Regent Street has an amazing energy and is at the heart of retail shopping in London. We love to see how our fans add their unique twist to our latest designs in-store; London is simply a hub for creative, stylish individuals. It is birth to some of the greatest designers in the world.
6. What career advice would you give your younger self?
Stay true to yourself and try not to care so much what other people think.
7. What do you think makes your brand/in-store experience special?
We redesigned our flagship Regent Street store this year based on our vision for the future of retail, blending traditional shopping with digital innovation, customization experiences, and a signature People’s Place social setting. This gives our fans the ultimate TOMMY HILFIGER brand experience.
8. What do you love most about Regent Street? / What is it that’s special about Regent Street as a location?
Whenever I’m in London, I always love to visit our Brompton Road flagship store and new retail concept at Regent Street, which builds on our vision for the future of retail, blending traditional shopping with digital innovation, customization experiences and a signature People’s Place social setting.
Visit the Tommy Hilfiger Regent Street flagship store at 138 Regent Street.