Thomas Jacob Hilfiger, the American fashion designer is to celebrate his quintessential brand’s (Tommy Hilfiger) 10th anniversary in New Delhi, India from September 26th to 28th this year. On this account, Tommy expressed,“I am continuously inspired by this country’s energetic culture and India’s incredible colours, textures and fabrics. For 10 years, we’ve shared our classic, American, cool styles with consumers throughout India, and I look forward to celebrating this milestone in New Delhi and Mumbai.”
With Bollywood actress Sonam Kapoor hosting anniversary celebrations in New Delhi and attending a private event in Mumbai, the American designer will also be organising a guest lecture for students of the National Institute of Fashion Technology.
On completing it’s decade long perseverance, Tommy Hilfiger will launch two exclusive limited-edition designs: a shawl for women and a traditional men’s bandi, successively honouring the country’s long tradition of festive wear.
The fashion oriented designs have been made with Tommy Hilfiger’s signature style including contrast stitching, monogram buttons and an interior stripe lining for an eternal look with the classic “Tommy” preppy twist. The limited-edition designs will be available exclusively at select Tommy Hilfiger stores in India from September 24, 2014.
At MissMalini, we had a chance to engage in an exclusive interview with the designer himself. Here’s what he had to say:
Team MissMalini (MM): How did you zero in on the choice of elements for the limited edition products?
Tommy Hilfiger (TH): We were inspired by traditional Indian tailoring and patterns, reinterpreted with our own signature preppy, all-American twist.
MM: When did your love affair for India begin? Is there a story?
TH: I vividly remember my first visit to India in the 1980s – I was just starting out as a fashion designer and was immediately fascinated by the country. Over the course of my career I’ve returned many times and continue to be inspired every time I visit.
MM: What is the trick to finding your own personal style?
TH: My secrets to great style are to know what silhouettes work best for you, and to experiment and have fun with your look. Both my personal wardrobe and the DNA of my brand are all about blending classic style with eclectic, irreverent details – it’s our Tommy twist.
MM: In the past few years, street style has become huge in India. How do you see Indian street style?
TH: Our Indian consumers have a great sense of style – they love classic cuts and silhouettes, redone with their own twist that’s relaxed and cool. I find traditional Indian fashions very inspiring, from the beautiful fabrics to stunning colors and intricate details. The women are elegant and sophisticated; they know how to combine traditional pieces with a contemporary twist.
MM: You’ve seen fashion evolve. What advice would you give your younger self?
TH: To succeed in fashion, you need to have a balanced understanding of both the creative and business sides of this industry. You can’t just rely on one or the other.
MM: How do you keep yourself inspired? Travel? Books? Music?
TH: My biggest inspirations come from pop culture: fashion, art, music, and entertainment, which I summarize with the acronym F.A.M.E. These provide me with a wealth of inspiration to work from when I’m designing new collections.I’m also continuously inspired by my beautiful wife, Dee, and our seven children. Dee is my muse and my children keep me young and in touch with emerging artists and musicians.
MM: How does Tommy Hilfiger pick his daily wardrobe?
TH: My rule of thumb is to stick to comfortable, sophisticated classics – like a crisp white button-down shirt, tailored navy blue blazer and dark wash jeans – mixed with fresh accessories in pop colors. I describe my style as classic, American and cool.
MM: Have you seen any Bollywood films? Any particular favorite?
TH: The Bollywood culture is very unique and inspiring! I love the vibrant colors, flowing silhouettes and elaborate details. Sonam Kapoor gave a remarkable performance in the romantic drama Raanjhanaa.
Stay tuned to MissMalini’s World on TLC because we’re going to be meeting Mr. Hilfiger himself and can’t wait to see some of the tricks he has up his sleeves.
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