Tommy Hilfiger on luxury, Indian fashion and importance of time
Tommy hilfiger may be a lot of things, from maverick designer to fashion consultant on American Idol, but few know him as a direct descendant of Scottish poet Robert Burns. Nonetheless, there is undeniably an element of poetry in his creations, something that has elevated him to a position of prominence in the world of wardrobe choices. Hilfiger shares the true meaning of luxury, the importance of time in his busy life, and his personal connection with India.
TRUE LUXURY
Luxury is all about enjoying something you had never thought you could. It could be an exquisite watch, a yacht, staying in an exotic hotel or taking a trip; it is all about doing something you've always wanted to do. For me, however, luxury is about having time. I'd like a few more hours to spend with my family, and probably go on vacation. You can't enjoy your possessions unless you have time. However, if you ask me to name my most luxurious material possession, I would say it's my airplane
TIMEPIECE LOGIC
We make watches that are modern and capable of being paired with various kinds of looks. You can pick our watches depending on what you plan to wear. And just like our clothes, our watches are luxurious but competitive in pricing. I believe an oversized face is very important for your watch. For instance, my 10th Anniversary Limited Edition, being a chrono, is thick in size. The watch takes inspiration from the air force, and its complicated dial is truly eye-catching. It also has a crocband, besides an engraving on the back that has my message for this beautiful country: "Tommy Hilfiger loves India".
THE INDIA CONNECT
India and I go back a long way. My first ever designs came out of here, and I have been making trips to this land for as many as 35 years now. I love the people here, the food, the smells, the fabric and the colour. When I first launched my brand in this country, Indians weren't too familiar with designer brands. Today, the same people have embraced my work and helped it grow exponentially. Sonam Kapoor is one celebrity whose dressing sense I've admired. She always carries herself with such elegance, it's a treat to the beholder. Most of the stars in Bollywood have also upped their style quotient.
GOING BACK IN TIME
Looking back, there is a lot I remember about India. When I first came to New Delhi, I wanted to be a designer but had no clue about designing. I met a person with his own factory, the Ahujaowned Shahi, and told him about my ideas. He made me draw my sketches on paper, and got a pattern maker to make a sample of it right there. A month later, I flew back to New York and got more orders. I did this for a long time. The Shahi factory, which once had a dirt floor and just 10 tailors, today employs close to 90,000 workers. And they still are great friends
ADVANTAGE INDIA
The Indian fashion industry is moving, and moving very fast. Indian designers have a lot of things going for them. After all, the most beautiful fabrics are made here. Silks, embroidery, patterns... there's a lot for you to work with. What's more, Indian designers are making a big name for themselves globally. Just look at designers like Naeem Khan and Prabal Gurung. They are fantastic and have carved a niche for themselves.
GOING GLOCAL
Today's youngsters live on the Internet, and I must say it has blurred many a political border. As a brand, we have not differentiated between Indian buyers and others. Times are changing, and no brand is country-specific anymore. In this age of global brands and citizens, trends from across the world are welcome. Personally, I want to bring to Indian consumers exactly what I'm offering to others. Our consumers are, in a sense, the same no matter where they come from.
