Tommy Hilfiger

Tommy Hilfiger was born on March 24, 1951, in Elmira, New York. He came from a large family with a diverse heritage, including German-Swiss and Irish descent.

At the age of 17, Tommy Hilfiger and his friends start selling bell-bottomed jeans out of the trunk of his car, leading to the establishment of People's Place, a lifestyle store in Elmira, New York.

In 1969, Tommy Hilfiger opened his very first store called the People's Place, which serves as a cornerstone in his efforts to make fashion inclusive for everyone.

Despite the success of People's Place stores and expansion to college campuses, poor bookkeeping led to bankruptcy in 1975.

Following The People's Place bankruptcy, Tommy Hilfiger responded by studying commerce and focusing on learning the business aspects. He emphasized understanding financial statements, controlling expenses, and building a business on a limited budget, which eventually shaped his entrepreneurial skills.

After the bankruptcy of his stores, Tommy Hilfiger made a significant decision to focus on a full-fledged career in fashion design.

In 1979, Tommy Hilfiger moved to New York City to pursue a full-time career as a fashion designer, catching the eye of businessman Mohan Murjani.

In 1984, Tommy Hilfiger was approached to design a men's sportswear line under his own name, which marked the beginning of his commercial success in the fashion industry.

Tommy Hilfiger brand was launched in 1985 with the backing of Mohan Murjani. It started with menswear, updating classic pieces like button-down shirts and chinos with modern fits and details. The brand gained attention with a bold ad campaign comparing Hilfiger to well-known American designers.

In 1986, Tommy Hilfiger expanded his brand by opening the first stores on Columbus Avenue in New York and Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills. This marked the beginning of a series of store openings in various locations like Georgetown, San Francisco, London, and Stamford, Conn.

By 1987, Tommy Hilfiger had broadened its distribution beyond the U.S. to include Central and South America, as well as the Caribbean region. This move signified the brand's growing presence in the international market.

In 1988, the sales of Tommy Hilfiger brand reached $25 million, showcasing early success for the brand.

In 1989, Novel Enterprises, owned by Silas Chou and Lawrence Stroll, acquired the majority ownership of Tommy Hilfiger Inc., leading to the termination of the license agreement with Murjani. This marked a significant turning point for the brand.

In September 1992, Tommy Hilfiger made its debut on the stock market at $15 a share, quickly rising to $26 within two months. The company's revenue reached $107 million as distribution expanded to Japan.

In 1993, Tommy Hilfiger sponsored Pete Townshend's tour and expanded its product line to include men's and boy's neckwear, belts, small leather goods, and boys' 8-20 clothing. The company also signed its first licensing deal with Estée Lauder Cos. for fragrance, with sales reaching $227.2 million.

In 1994, Tommy Hilfiger signed a contract with rap icon Snoop Dogg, marking a major milestone in the brand's history. This collaboration with a music celebrity contributed to Tommy Hilfiger's increased popularity and recognition.

In 1995, Tommy Hilfiger was honored with the Menswear Designer of the Year Award by the Council of Fashion Designers of America. This recognition solidified his position in the fashion industry.

In 1997, Tommy Hilfiger opened a major flagship store on North Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills, aiming to attract the entertainment industry and enhance the brand's image.

In 1998, Tommy Hilfiger made history by becoming the first non-automotive brand to sponsor Ferrari's Formula One team, expanding the brand's reach into the world of motorsports.

In 1999, Tommy Hilfiger was appointed as the main sponsor for singer Britney Spears on her debut tour, solidifying his status as a prominent figure in the fashion industry.

In March 2000, Tommy Hilfiger's company settled a class action suit brought by Saipanese garment workers, who had alleged mistreatment by over 20 large U.S. clothing manufacturers in Saipan, a U.S. Commonwealth where federal labor laws did not apply.

In April 2000, Tommy Hilfiger, a publicly traded company, announced that profits for 2001 would decrease by 30 to 40 percent and revenues would drop by 5 percent. This news negatively affected the company's stock value.

In 2001, Tommy Hilfiger purchased the license for Tommy Hilfiger Europe from TH International NV for $200 million in cash.

In 2002, Tommy Hilfiger launches the Tommy Jeans campaign featuring Lauren Bush. The company also becomes the exclusive sponsor of the Jones Beach Theater and expands its distribution to South Korea, China, Singapore, and Malaysia. Additionally, they introduce a girls line and T Girl fragrance.

In 2003, Tommy Hilfiger stepped down as chairman of the company and assumed the title of honorary chairman and principal designer. CEO Joel Horowitz took over as chairman, and co-chairmen Chou and Stroll left the company. David Dyer succeeded Horowitz as president and CEO.

By 2004, the company had 5,400 employees and revenues in excess of $1.8 billion, indicating significant growth and success.

In December 2005, Tommy Hilfiger sold his clothing brand for $1.6 billion to Apax Partners, a private investment company.

In 2006, Apax Partners finalized the purchase of Tommy Hilfiger Corp. for $1.6 billion, making it a private company. This acquisition led to significant changes in the company's leadership.

In 2007, The Tommy Hilfiger Group acquires Tommy Hilfiger Footwear in Europe and Tommy Hilfiger Japan Corp. Additionally, Hilfiger launches new products such as Dreaming, a women's fragrance, and collaborates with Karl Lagerfeld on the K Lagerfeld denim collection.

In September 2009, the 22,000-square-foot Tommy Hilfiger Fifth Avenue global flagship store opened at 681 Fifth Avenue, becoming the largest store of the brand worldwide.

In March 2010, Phillips-Van Heusen, the owner of Calvin Klein, purchased the Tommy Hilfiger Corporation for $3 billion.

The Tommy Hilfiger online and in-store ad campaign 'Meet The Hilfigers' began in August 2010 and continued until August 2011.

In spring 2011, Hilfiger announced plans to wind down its European license for handbags and small leather goods, indicating a strategic shift in its business operations.

In 2012, Tommy Hilfiger was honored with the CFDA's Geoffrey Beene Lifetime Achievement Award, a prestigious recognition in the fashion industry.

In 2013, Daniel Grieder assumed the role of CEO at Tommy Hilfiger Corp, taking on leadership responsibilities for the company.

In January 2015, Tommy Hilfiger announced that he was working on his memoirs, which were written chronologically over a year with the help of co-writer Peter Knobler. The memoir, titled 'American Dreamer: My Life in Fashion & Business', gives insights into his 40-year fashion career and personal life.

In November 2016, Tommy Hilfiger's memoir, 'American Dreamer: My Life in Fashion & Business', co-written with Peter Knobler, was published. The book covers his childhood, early business ventures, and life in fashion, receiving positive reviews and making it to the New York Times Best Sellers List in December 2016.

On February 8, 2017, the Tommy Hilfiger brand held its ready-to-wear show in Los Angeles, marking the first time the brand was not part of New York Fashion Week.

Tommy Hilfiger emphasized the importance of reading the fashion-pop culture zeitgeist and democratizing fashion in recent years. He featured celebrities like Britney Spears, Usher, Aaliyah, and the children of well-known personalities to keep the brand fresh and innovative.

True Fashionistas, Florida's largest lifestyle consignment store, offers authentic Tommy Hilfiger items for sale both in-store and online. Customers can sign up for the email list to receive additional discounts.

Sophia Hwang-Judiesch assumed the role of president at Tommy Hilfiger North America in 2023, bringing her expertise to lead the brand's operations in the region.