The final leg of the TommyxGigi extravaganza will be in Milan on February 25, and if previous road shows are any indication — the London rock circus; New York’s carnival party — this show will be one of the most exciting on the Milan schedule. We checked in with Tommy Hilfiger and Gigi Hadid before they head overseas.
Gigi Hadid
What does it feel like to be showing the final TommyxGigi collection?
Bittersweet! Showcasing our TommyxGigi collections in different cities around the world has been amazing and surreal. It’s been an amazing journey; I’ve learned so much and am truly thankful to the whole Tommy team for embracing me, and for their time and hard work. I am proud of our fourth capsule, and so excited to showcase this collection in Milan. This season’s design process has been another memorable experience, and I hope everyone has fun with the pieces!
What’s the vibe or concept for this collection?
Spring 2018 is all about speed and racing. We have combined Tommy’s love of motorsports with my personal twist on sporty style. This season, we wanted to challenge ourselves while designing, taking timeless classics and reimagining them in edgy leather, luxe silks, and distressed denim. The silhouette is mix-and-match with oversize pieces combined with super skinny designs to spark a strong and confident new take on race-track star style.
Why did you want to bring this particular collection to Milan?
Milan is one of the fashion capitals of the world! I am excited to share the TommyNow experience in Italy.
Give us your favorite story from your time working with Tommy!
My favorite memory with Tommy is definitely our finale runway walk during the first TommyNow show in New York. It was the first time I ever took a bow as a designer and collaborator, which made it so special. It was also cool seeing my designs come to life on the runway for the first time.
Gigi Hadid and Tommy Hilfiger taking their bow at the fall 2016 show. (Getty Images)
What are some of the greatest lessons you’ve learned from this experience, and from Tommy himself?
Collaborating with Tommy has been a dream come true, and an incredible introduction into the world of design. He has been an amazing design mentor, and we’ve had a lot of fun creating all our capsules together. I’ve learned so much about the importance of expressing my individuality and finding inspiration in everything around me. I loved and embraced that there’s always room to improve, and I feel like I was able to carry new tools through each collection. I’m mostly grateful that Tommy gave me the time and space to learn and grow through four seasons!
You’re one of the busiest people in fashion—what are your secrets for getting it all done?
Getting plenty of sleep and spending time with my friends and family during my downtime. I feel that everyone needs that balance in order to continue bringing energy and passion to what they do.
What’s your all-time-favorite piece from TommyxGigi?
It’s hard to choose one! My standout favorites are probably from this season, because I’ve learned so much about executing my ideas from start to finish. I love the jackets and the pants. They’re proportioned exactly how I’d hoped.
Tommy Hilfiger
You’ve had a long and productive relationship with Gigi. What do you love best about her as a creative collaborator?
Gigi is the ultimate Tommy girl, which has made her the ideal choice as a creative collaborator. I loved designing the TommyxGigi collections with her, and seeing Gigi blend her personal twist and unique take on modern style with the brand’s DNA into every piece of the collections.
How has she evolved over the course of your working relationship together?
Gigi has always been very hands-on with the collections, and over time her knowledge of the design process has evolved as she’s learned more of the technical aspects that go into each piece. She has spent countless hours in the studio with the team, studying a variety of fits, cuts, and fabrics.
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What are some of your favorite stories about Gigi from your time working together?
Taking the runway show to California for TommyxGigi Season 2; it was so nice seeing Gigi share the TommyNow experience in her hometown.
What do you think she’ll be doing in 10 years?
Gigi has become a fashion icon. She has a strong work ethic, and her positive, down-to-earth energy and effortless cool captivate people around the world. She can accomplish anything she wants.
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You were a pioneer of the see-now, buy-now method of unveiling a collection. Why was that a successful approach for the brand?
You have to listen to your customers, and right now they’re saying they want immediate gratification and they want experiences. They want to buy looks when they see them. With TommyNow, we’re delivering on this desire while also merging the worlds of fashion, technology, and pop culture. Taking risks is important. Without risk, there is no reward.
What’s bringing the brand to Milan this season?
My vision for TommyNow was to create a global platform that we could take on tour to bring our show experience to new audiences around the world. It’s all about blending fashion, entertainment, and pop culture with experiences, performances, and inspiring interactions.
Why does your brand resonate so strongly in Europe? To what do you attribute its success in that market?
I think our product has been successful globally because of its quality, fit, and design. While it is inspired by classic American style, we always put our Tommy twist, which makes it unique.
And because we love your taste in music—what albums are on rotation these days? Any concerts you’re looking forward to seeing soon?
The Rolling Stones, David Bowie, and Bob Dylan are always in heavy rotation. My kids keep me updated on the latest music and artists. I like Jay-Z’s 4:44 album and Brockhampton’s music.
What are some of your favorite spots in Milan? What do you have planned for this particular trip?
There are so many amazing restaurants—my favorites are Bice and Giacomo Bistrot! I love traveling to Italy; I spent time there this summer with family. We went to Venice and Capri. On my upcoming trip, I plan to work!
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