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Vivienne Tang

An insider's guide to your  favourite fashion brands

How did it start?

Thomas Jacob Hilfiger  was born on March 24, 1951, in Elmira, New York. He grew up in an Irish Catholic family and inherited  his sense of style from his father, who was a watchmaker. His early love of fashion led him, at the age of 18, to open his first shop, called the People's Place, selling jeans and bell-bottom trousers. By the mid-1970s, Hilfiger and his partners owned several stores  in New York State, but he filed for bankruptcy in 1976.

In 1984, Hilfiger made a comeback, launching the Tommy Hilfiger menswear label through a licensing agreement. The  line was inspired by the preppy classics he grew up with, combined with a modern twist.

In 1985, he demonstrated his marketing skills by launching  a bold ad campaign in which  he classed himself among the four great American designers (alongside Ralph Lauren, Perry Ellis and Calvin Klein). The ad, which featured on a billboard  in Times Square, caused an immediate stir among New Yorkers and the industry.

In 1989, the licensing agreement was terminated and Hilfiger took control of his  label with the help of two investors (including Hongkonger Silas Chou). He gained a following with his relaxed styles. American classics were given a twist with colourful trims, contrasting fabrics and his signature red, white and blue logo.

In 1992, his company was listed on the New York Stock Exchange, and in 1995 the Council of Fashion Designers  of America voted Hilfiger its menswear designer of the year. Meanwhile,  Hilfiger established the Tommy Hilfiger Corporate Foundation  to promote education and career-related opportunities for children in the US.

During the 90s, Hilfiger's style was adopted by the hip-hop community, who were attracted  by his urban yet preppy designs. His clothing has been lauded  in song and worn by rappers including Snoop Dogg, Coolio,  Q-Tip and A Tribe Called Quest.

His first womenswear collection was launched in 1996, featuring Oxford shirts, slim-fit knit polos and graphic striped dresses in bright colours.

Hilfiger has expanded, launching other collections, including Tommy Girl, Hilfiger Denim, H Hilfiger, Tommy  Sport and Red Label. He's also branched out into children's wear, footwear, eyewear, watches, jewellery, leather goods, lingerie, golf, swimwear, home furnishings and toiletries.

His first fragrance, Tommy, appeared in 1995, followed by Tommy Girl  in 1996, and a host of others.

His campaigns over the years have featured singers Beyonce, Enrique Iglesias, Britney Spears, and David Bowie and his wife, Iman.

Last year was a big one for the designer. Tommy Hilfiger Corporation bought Karl Lagerfeld's label, Lagerfeld Gallery.  As well, his reality show, The Cut, went to air, in which 16 contestants  vie for a design job working with Hilfiger.

He also celebrated 20 years  in the industry with large-scale shows in New York and Asia, showcasing more than 100 of his most popular designs, featuring seersucker, hip-hop-style baggy trousers, the red, white and blue logo and striped shirts.

Asian luxury goods retailer Dickson Concepts International, which owns Seibu department stores and Harvey Nichols, recently announced plans to  buy Tommy Hilfiger Asia-Pacific from Dickson Concept's chairman, Dickson Poon.

Tommy Hilfiger plans to open 70 new stores in Asia by 2014 - located in Hong Kong, Taiwan, China, Singapore and Malaysia. Hilfiger remains chairman and principal designer of Tommy Hilfiger Corporation.

The look?

For his autumn/winter 2006/07 collections, Hilfiger included preppy staples updated with modern fits and new proportions. Rich fabrics such as herringbone, hound's-tooth and tweed are combined with a warm, autumn palette of brown, green, cranberry and deep orange.

The feminine silhouette is accentuated for women and includes blazers, pencil skirts and wide-legged trousers.

For men, the look includes plenty of layers and a mix of textured fabrics, bold patterns and British-style tailoring.

Defining fashion moment?

Hilfiger's popularity was confirmed when rapper Snoop Dogg  donned a red, white and blue Hilfiger rugby shirt on Saturday Night Live in 1994.

Who swears by it?

His celebrity clientele includes Catherine Zeta-Jones, Jodie Kidd, Jay-Z, Paris Hilton and Fergie from the Black Eyed Peas.

Where?

Tommy Hilfiger products can be found in free-standing boutiques as well as department stores, including Shop B19, basement, the Landmark, Central, tel: 2525 8848.



Tommy Hilfiger