Meta description: Tommy Hilfiger biography covers his early life in Elmira, the 1985 founding of his brand, its $3 billion sale in 2010, and his family, with 10 facts.
Who Is Tommy Hilfiger?
Tommy Hilfiger is an American fashion designer and the founder of Tommy Hilfiger Corporation. He was born Thomas Jacob Hilfiger on March 24, 1951, in Elmira, New York, and is 75 years old. He began designing preppy clothing for his own menswear line in the 1980s.
What Are the 10 Key Facts About Tommy Hilfiger?
Tommy Hilfiger has 10 key biographical facts:
- Tommy Hilfiger was born Thomas Jacob Hilfiger on March 24, 1951, in Elmira, New York.
- He is the second of nine children.
- He graduated from Elmira Free Academy high school in 1969.
- He co-founded a chain of jeans and fashion stores called People’s Place.
- People’s Place went bankrupt in 1977.
- He set up a company called Tommy Hill in 1979.
- He founded the Tommy Hilfiger Corporation in 1985 with support from The Murjani Group.
- He sold the company to Apax Partners for $1.6 billion in 2006.
- Phillips-Van Heusen bought the company from Apax for $3 billion in 2010.
- He received the Geoffrey Beene Lifetime Achievement Award from the Council of Fashion Designers of America in 2012.
Where Was Tommy Hilfiger Born and Raised?
Tommy Hilfiger was born and raised in Elmira, New York. His father, Richard, worked at a local jewelry store, and his mother, Virginia, worked as a nurse. He attended Elmira Free Academy and had undiagnosed dyslexia. His parents wanted him to pursue college and a traditional career, and he briefly attended the GST BOCES Bush Campus in Elmira.
How Did Tommy Hilfiger Start His Fashion Career?
Tommy Hilfiger started his fashion career by opening People’s Place, a youth clothing store in upstate New York. He and friends pooled $150 each to launch the store. The chain filed for bankruptcy in 1977.
His career moved through 4 stages after the bankruptcy:
- He moved to New York City.
- He designed jeans at Jordache for a short period.
- He received a job offer from Calvin Klein in the early 1980s.
- He set up Tommy Hill in 1979.
When Did Tommy Hilfiger Found His Brand?
Tommy Hilfiger founded his brand in 1985. Investor Mohan Murjani approached him to design a menswear line under his own name, and the Murjani Group backed the brand. The launch campaign, designed by George Lois, used a billboard that placed his initials and red, white, and blue logo next to the initials of Ralph Lauren, Perry Ellis, and Calvin Klein.
How Did the Tommy Hilfiger Company Change Ownership?
The Tommy Hilfiger company changed ownership 2 times in 4 years. Apax Partners bought it in 2006 for $1.6 billion. Phillips-Van Heusen bought it from Apax in 2010 for $3 billion. The company reported global retail sales of $6.6 billion in 2016.
Who Is Tommy Hilfiger’s Wife?
Tommy Hilfiger’s wife is Dee Ocleppo. They married in December 2008 and welcomed a son, Sebastian, in August 2009. Sebastian is the youngest of the couple’s seven combined children.
Hilfiger had 3 marriages: Jayne Klopenstein (1978 to 1979), Susie Cirona (1980 to 2000), and Dee Ocleppo (2008 to present). His 4 children with Susie Cirona are Ally, Richard, Elizabeth, and Kathleen.
What Honors Has Tommy Hilfiger Received?
Tommy Hilfiger has received 4 major honors:
- The Parsons School of Design Designer of the Year Award in 1998.
- The Marie Claire Lifetime Achievement Award in 2009.
- The UNESCO Support Award in 2009.
- The CFDA Geoffrey Beene Lifetime Achievement Award in 2012.
What Is Tommy Hilfiger’s Adaptive Clothing Work?
Tommy Hilfiger partnered with Runway of Dreams to create an adaptive clothing line for children with disabilities.
What Are the Key Dates in Tommy Hilfiger’s Life?
Table 1 lists 9 dated events in Tommy Hilfiger’s biography. Columns show the date, the event, and the category.
| Date | Event | Category |
|---|---|---|
| March 24, 1951 | Birth in Elmira, New York | Personal |
| 1969 | Graduation from Elmira Free Academy | Personal |
| 1977 | Bankruptcy of People’s Place | Business |
| 1979 | Launch of Tommy Hill | Business |
| 1985 | Founding of Tommy Hilfiger Corporation | Business |
| 2006 | Sale to Apax Partners for $1.6 billion | Business |
| December 2008 | Marriage to Dee Ocleppo | Personal |
| 2010 | Sale to Phillips-Van Heusen for $3 billion | Business |
| 2012 | CFDA Geoffrey Beene Lifetime Achievement Award | Honor |
People Also Ask
What is Tommy Hilfiger’s real name?
Tommy Hilfiger’s full name is Thomas Jacob Hilfiger.
Where is Tommy Hilfiger from?
Tommy Hilfiger is from Elmira, New York.
How old is Tommy Hilfiger?
Tommy Hilfiger is 75 years old, born on March 24, 1951.
When was Tommy Hilfiger founded?
Tommy Hilfiger Corporation was founded in 1985.
Who bought Tommy Hilfiger in 2010?
Phillips-Van Heusen bought Tommy Hilfiger from Apax Partners for $3 billion in 2010.
Who is Tommy Hilfiger married to?
Tommy Hilfiger is married to Dee Ocleppo.
Why Is Tommy Hilfiger Known as an American Fashion Designer and Founder?
Tommy Hilfiger is known for 3 achievements: founding a preppy-style fashion brand in 1985, building a company that sold for $3 billion in 2010, and earning a CFDA lifetime achievement award in 2012. His path moved from a small People’s Place store in upstate New York to a global fashion corporation.