Fashion
February 23, 2015
Tommy Hilfiger Exclusive Interview | TOMMY HILFIGER
TOMMY HILFIGER
Flagship Store Opens, Exclusive Interview!
“Tokyo is the perfect place for a new challenge” (1)
On April 18th (Wednesday), "Tokyu Plaza Omotesando Harajuku" opened at the intersection of Omotesando and Meiji Dori. The first Tommy Hilfiger flagship store in Asia opened in the Omotesando-facing space. Since its debut in 1985, Tommy Hilfiger has embodied American casual style and continues to be loved worldwide. What kind of developments will unfold with Tokyo's Omotesando as the stage? We spoke with the great Tommy Hilfiger himself, who visited Japan for the store's opening.
Photographs by JAMANDFIX Text by KOJI TOYODA (OPENERS)
Semi-custom jackets and button-down shirts available
“Tokyo is the gateway to the rapidly developing Asian region. When we considered opening our first and largest flagship store in Asia, Tokyo was the most suitable location, more so than Shanghai, Hong Kong, or Seoul. Omotesando, in particular, is the world's fashion capital. It's lined with flagship stores of every luxury brand, and at the same time, there are large-scale fast fashion stores. Step into a side street, and you'll find exclusive boutiques and select shops of creative brands. It's a fashion crossroads unlike any other in the world. For the Tommy Hilfiger brand to expand and move to the next stage, it was necessary to take on new challenges in such a wonderful place.”
said Tommy Hilfiger, the designer who has led global casual fashion. The flagship shop, situated in such a prime location, can be said to be a store that redefines the brand's image.
The store is spread across three floors: the basement level for denim, the first floor for men's, and the second floor for women's. The interior design varies on each floor, allowing visitors to fully experience the diverse tastes encompassed by Tommy Hilfiger within a single store. The men's floor on the first level, in particular, boasts a rugged, substantial, and impressive interior.
“This store encapsulates everything I have expressed and pursued in terms of taste and fashion over the years. What I particularly like is the men's floor, with its classic atmosphere reminiscent of old haberdasheries. Here, you'll find not only the casual line but also the first collection line in Japan, as well as a corner where you can semi-order jackets and button-down shirts. You can choose what you like from a wide selection, and if that's not enough, you can order it to your preference. This is the embodiment of my ideal 'classic American cool' men's shop.”
TOMMY HILFIGER
Flagship Store Opens, Exclusive Interview!
“Tokyo is the perfect place for a new challenge” (2)
Expressing "Classic American Cool"
Complementing the clothing and enhancing their appeal are the vintage fixtures. These characterful pieces were all gathered from around the world by Tommy Hilfiger's vintage buyer team, under the direction of Mr. Hilfiger himself.
“Classic-style fixtures are essential to the 'classic American cool' that Tommy Hilfiger champions. But simply placing them isn't enough. For example, in the classic cabinet next to the register, alongside vintage ties and tie pins, we've arranged preppy travel pouches and bracelets created as an opening commemoration. Combining the latest items with classic products should bring new excitement and allure to fashion.”
The sense of mixing contrasting elements is also reflected in the styling that Mr. Tommy Hilfiger consistently proposes.
“Since the brand's inception, we have always proposed styles that mix casual and dress elements. For example, the pink chino pants I'm wearing can be styled casually with a T-shirt, or dressed up with a button-down shirt and a navy jacket. All the clothes and accessories displayed here were created with that concept in mind. When choosing clothes here, I hope you won't forget that sensibility.”
The Tommy Hilfiger Omotesando store is a testament to the latest in American casual wear, embodying Mr. Tommy Hilfiger's identity and meticulous attention to detail. From this store as a base, the philosophy of "classic American cool" will likely be disseminated throughout Asia.
TOMMY HILFIGER
Hailing from Elmira, New York, he launched his first signature line in 1985. For over two decades since, he has consistently offered "classic American cool" fashion to people worldwide. His modern classic button-down shirts and chino pants have become staples, garnering support from a wide range of customers.




