TOMMY HILFIGER TALKS EXCLUSIVELY TO HELLO! AT HIS BASE IN AMSTERDAM

April 22, 2002Apr 22, 2002, 11:00 PM GMT+1

After a career of ups and downs in the fashion world, all-American designer Tommy Hilfiger now heads up a multi-million dollar empire which, with the recent opening of a store in Manchester and the release of a new fragrance, just keeps going from strength to strength.

Having gone bankrupt at the age of just 23, the self-confessed workaholic re-emerged to establish an astounding diversity of clientele, ranging from clean-cut American college boys and girls, to sophisticated Europeans, and even to rappers such as Puff Daddy.

Last year 50-year-old Tommy divorced his wife of 20 years, Susie, but the couple maintain a friendly relationship, living opposite one another and seeing their children when they wish.

Tommy, at one stage you went bankrupt. How?

“I went bankrupt in the Seventies, when I had my stores in Elmira, New York State. It was party time. I was 23 years old, I was making tons of money, doing the scene in New York, hanging out with the rock stars.”

A few years ago people were saying that the Tommy Hilfiger look was on the wane. How did you cope with that?

“We took a dip but we came back. Everything´s going strong now, the men´s collection, the women´s collection, the fragrance. The clothes have become more red, white and blue, more American. There´s so much yet to do.”

Why did you take so long to get into womenswear?

“The idea was to really perfect menswear first and we did. Just as I wanted to make sure the States market was running on all cylinders before we moved to Europe.”

Were you always interested in designing or is it something you fell into?

“No, I was always interested in design, but not just clothes – I was interested in the design of cars, and of houses.”

“Is there anybody new in your life?

“I have been dating Elizabeth Somerville for about a year now. She´s worked in the legal world and is well known in the right circles. She´s great.”

You´ve just opened a new store in Britain and have a lot of British friends. Are you into the UK?

“I love it. I´ve been thinking about buying a house there actually. Maybe some day.”

The 50-year-old designer at his European base in Amsterdam

Three distinctive Tommy outfits modelled by (left to right) Paris Hilton, of the hotel dynasty; her boyfriend Jason Shaw; and Carolina Junco

Tommy like to use good-looking youngsters with famous names to represent his label

Recent ambassadors include the US president George Bush's nephew, who took part in the April opening of his new store in Manchester

Sign up to HELLO Daily! for the best royal, celebrity and lifestyle coverage

By entering your details, you are agreeing to HELLO! Magazine User Data Protection Policy. You can unsubscribe at any time. For more information, please click here.