Thomas Jacob Hilfiger is the designer behind the Tommy Hilfiger clothing and fragrance lines together with shoes, handbags and household goods.
Thomas Hilfiger was born and raised in Elmira, New York. He was a natural entrepreneur and started in the fashion industry as a retailer.
He opened his first boutique after using his life savings of one hundred and fifty dollars in his hometown. The boutique was called ‘The People’s Place and Tommy Hilfiger designed clothing under the name of Jacob Alan.
The People’s Place expanded to a small chain of stores before folding in the mid 1970’s which prompted Hilfiger to move to New York City where he became a full-time designer. In 1984 he founded the Tommy Hilfiger Corporation and introduced his first line of menswear.
The designs Tommy Hilfiger created were known for their classic American style, often featuring the red, white and blue of the American flag.
His sportswear and casualwear for men and women gained widespread popularity. The pieces were described as having a “preppy” appearance making them a popular choice with young professionals.
Tommy Hilfiger is a lifelong fan of rock and roll and his collections are often influenced by the fashion of music subcultures.
The clothes are also marketed in connection with the music industry and as early as 1993 Hilfiger was an official sponsor for Pete Townsend’s Psychoderelict tour.
He has also sponsored several musical events including Sheryl Crow’s tour in 1997, Britney Spears in 1999 and also in 1999 Kenny Kravitz’s Freedom tour.
Tommy Hilfiger’s designs were also embraced by the hip-hop musician communities, and he has dressed or partnered with varied artists such as Aaliyah, David Bowie and Snoop Doggy Dogg.
A partnership with musician Beyoncé Knowles resulted in the introduction of True Star and True Star Gold fragrances. The True Star men’s fragrance was inspired by and featured advertising with musician Enrique Iglesias.
Hilfiger’s fragrances are produced in conjunction with Estée Lauder.
The first scent, Tommy for Men was introduced in 1995 with it’s female companion Tommy Girl being launched in 1996. Both scents are best-sellers and have inspired a succession of scents.
Fragrances are an important part of the Tommy Hilfiger brand and other fragrances many of which capitalise on the brand’s “preppy” and “Americano” associations have since been introduced.
He has approximately eight-one different fragrances on the market, the first of which was introduced in 1995 and the latest of which was launched in 2021.
Listed below is a selection of his products:
1995 – Tommy
A citrus aromatic fragrance for men with top notes of mint, bergamot, grapefruit and lavender, middle notes of granny smith apple, cranberry and rose and base notes of cotton flower, cactus and amber.
1996 – Tommy Girl
A floral, fruity fragrance for women and has top notes of apple tree blossom, camelia, mandarin orange and blackcurrant, middle notes of lemon, honeysuckle, rose, grapefruit, lily, mint and violet and base notes of magnolia, jasmine, cedar, sandalwood and leather.
2003 – Tommy Girl Jeans
This is a floral aldehyde fragrance for women with top notes of apple tree, blueberry, camelia and tangerine, middle notes of mint, honeysuckle, lily of the valley and rose and base notes of magnolia, sandalwood and cedar.(Currently unavailable)
2015 – Hilfiger Man Dark Midnight
Currently Unavailable
A woody aromatic fragrance for men with top notes of rosemary, neroli, lemon and fennel, middle notes of pineapple, patchouli, gernanium and cedar and base notes of tonka bean, myrrh, heliotrope, cashmirwood and sandalwood.
2016 – Tommy Citrus Brights
A citrus aromatic fragrance for men with top notes of lemon, lime, bergamot, pine tree needles and orange, middle notes of lavender, ginger and mint and base notes of Haitian velvet, incense and pink pepper.
2017 – Tommy Girl Endless Red
This is an Oriental-inspired fragrance for women with top notes of vanilla and lychee, middle notes of sparkling wine and base notes of tonkin beans.
2019 – Tommy Girl Sun Kissed
A floral fruity fragrance for women with top notes of cranberry, pomegranate, tangerine and red apple, middle notes of violet, orange blossom, gardenia and magnolia and base notes of birch, rum, musk and peach.
These are to name but a few of Tommy Hilfiger’s brands of scent. The Tommy Hilfiger perfume house is known around the world for high-spirited fragrances for men and women, delivering energetic kicks.
In recognition of the creativity of this brand Tommy Hilfiger has also won several FiFi Awards which is the fragrance industry’s most illustrious honour and include in 1997 he won Men’s Fragrance of the Year with Tommy and in 2000 he was awarded Best Marketing Innovation of the Year.
Tommy Hilfiger is an innovative and forward thinking entrepreneur and has helped champion many charities throughout his career. It would appear whatever Tommy Hilfiger turns his hand to turns to gold.
