TOMMY HILFIGER REIMAGINES ICONIC STYLES IN TOMMYXROMEO CAPSULE COLLECTION CO-DESIGNED WITH ROMEO HUNTE
Tommy Hilfiger, announces the launch of the Fall 2021 TommyXRomeo capsule co-designed by Mr. Tommy Hilfiger and Brooklyn designer and long-term mentee, Romeo Hunte. The collection dives into theTOMMY HILFIGER archives, using Romeo Hunte’s signature deconstruction techniques to reconstruct, remix and reimagine iconic pieces like the classic bonded trench coat remixed with sailing jacket color-blocking or clashed with a leather biker jacket. The TommyXRomeo capsule builds on the company’s ambitious People’s Place Program, a three-pillared platform with the mission of advancing representation in fashion and beyond. The Fall 2021 TommyXRomeo capsule will be available starting August 12, 2021 on tommy.com in the US and Europe, exclusive wholesale partner Selfridges, and on RomeoHunte.com.
“As a young, upcoming designer, I was lucky to be guided by incredible leaders who made a huge impact on my career,” said Tommy Hilfiger. “I am passionate about passing that on, mentoring the next generation of design talent. I’ve been supportive of and worked with Romeo Hunte for over five years. He is one of those truly exceptional newcomers – someone you know is going to make an impact as soon as you see his work. I’m really proud of our capsule – it's truly a meeting point of our two worlds. Together we’ve really focused on passing the mic to the next generation of BIPOC creatives and thought leaders to increase representation and amplify their talent globally. Through the People’s Place Program, we want to give them a true platform to shine.”
“Tommy has been such a supportive mentor to me over the years,” said Romeo Hunte. “Reinvention is a fundamental part of my design DNA, so pushing the boundaries of the brand’s archives has been an incredibly creative and meaningful experience. We also wanted to take this concept further, challenging the status quo from the design process to the campaign and the crew to re-imagine and redefine the future. I’m really proud of what we’ve achieved and hope to inspire the next generation of talent to dream big”.
For the Fall 2021 TommyXRomeo capsule, Tommy Hilfiger opened the archives to Romeo, clashing classic TOMMY HILFIGER design codes with Romeo Hunte’s signature deconstruction techniques and with a focus on non-gender specific outerwear. The collection brings a modern and bold twist to the icons that the brand is best known for – the trench coat, the biker jacket, the Oxford shirt. Edgy yet sophisticated, each piece combines Manhattan prep with Brooklyn street, and boasts exceptional materials and elevated craftsmanship, showcasing the passion for detail that both Romeo Hunte and Tommy Hilfiger share. A preppy button-down comes in unexpected, playful proportions, with the brand’s heritage Ithaca stripe reimagined in the colors of the New York City subway.
The TommyXRomeo campaign further aligns with Tommy Hilfiger’s People’s Place Program, which creates opportunity for creative talent from underrepresented BIPOC communities and increases visibility to foster a diverse and inclusive community both in front of, and behind, the camera. Shot in London, the campaign features models Ikram Abdi Omar, Aaliyah Hydes, Hidetatsu Takeuchi and Babacar N’Doye. The campaign crew includes:
- Ronan Mckenzie (@ronanksm): Photographer, stylist, curator and founder of Home, a gallery and event space creating opportunity and recognition for BIPOC artists.
- Nathan Klein (@nathankleinstyling): Stylist whose styling philosophy reflects his culturally diverse background from growing up in London, U.K.
- Amidat Giwa (@am_stagrams): Hairstylist whose clients include premium brands and international fashion publications.
- Megumi Matsuno (@megumi.matsuno): Makeup-artist who has worked with multiple global brands and clients.
To further bring the campaign to life, two local artists in London and New York City will be invited to reinterpret the campaign imagery through vibrant wall art in key city spots in the week prior to the collection launch. Painter and pattern maker Uzo Njoku (@uzo.Art) will paint a mural in her unique artistic style on Nassau Avenue and Banker Street in Brooklyn, New York City. In London, fine artist Annan Affotey (@annanaffotey) will showcase his artistic talent with a mural at 112 Tabernacle Street. The murals will both include a QR code for consumers to explore bonus video content – including behind-the-scenes footage of the making of the murals and interviews with the artists – as well as to view and purchase the collection online.
In addition, as part of the campaign, six one-off upcycled TommyXRomeo polos will also be auctioned via the online auction site Catawiki, with proceeds donated to the FMA (Fashion Minority Alliance) a non-profit focused on collaborating with fashion and industry stakeholders to build and foster a more diverse, balanced, and inclusive industry that advances meaningful and long-term equity and advancement for BIPOC and Historically Marginalized creative talent.
Tommy Hilfiger’s mission is to become a leading sustainable designer lifestyle company that “Wastes Nothing and Welcomes All”, through how it creates its product, manages its operations, and connects with its communities and stakeholders. More information about Tommy Hilfiger’s social and environmentalsustainability journey, which is powered by PVH’s Forward Fashion strategy, can be found on https://global.tommy.com/en_int/about-us-corporate-sustainability.
Friends and followers of the brand are invited to join the conversation on social media using #TommyHilfiger, @TommyHilfiger, #RomeoHunte and @RomeoHunte.
