1952-
Fashion Designer

Background.

Tommy Hilfiger started his fashion career by peddling jeans around New York state and opening a string of small clothing stores. He later worked as a designer for Jordache. In 1984 he teamed up with Hong Kong tycoon Mohan Murjani to set up his own design shop and introduce his first collection. Hilfiger compared himself with established American designers, such as Calvin Klein and Ralph Lauren, in early advertisements. Although the industry scoffed at such boldness, Hilfiger's success in the menswear market came quickly when, in 1992, his preppie-style clothes caught on with black teenagers. In 1995 he was named the Menswear Designer of the Year by the Council of Fashion Designers of America.

Tapping a Market.

Hilfiger embraced the inner-city market, adding urban flair to his fairly conservative clothes by emphasizing oversized logos and baggy styles. In the 16 September 1996 issue of Time, Russell Simmons...