For 25 years, Tommy Hilfiger has brought classic, cool, American apparel to consumers around the world. His designs give time-honored classics a fresh look, and his discerning taste has provided the foundation for the growth of a global brand.

Under Mr. Hilfiger's guidance, vision, and leadership as Principal Designer, the Tommy Hilfiger Group has become one of very few globally recognized designer brands offering a wide range of American-inspired apparel and accessories.

Mr. Hilfiger's career in fashion began as a high school student in 1969 when he opened a small chain of stores called People's Place with just $150. Self taught, he soon began designing for the boutiques he had always admired.

In 1979, he moved to New York City to pursue a career as a full-time fashion designer and caught the eye of Mohan Murjani, a businessman who was looking to launch a line of men's clothing. With Mr. Murjani's support, Mr. Hilfiger introduced his first signature collection in 1985.

Mr. Hilfiger's diverse achievements in business, retail, and fashion have earned him a variety of distinguished awards. In 1998, Parsons School of Design in New York City honored him with its Designer of the Year award. In 1995 he was named Menswear Designer of the Year by the Council of Fashion Designers of America, and he has won several FiFi Awards, the fragrance industry's most illustrious honor. In 2008, Women's Wear Daily listed him as the No. 1 Designer and #16 Brand in its annual 100 list. Mr. Hilfiger's philanthropic endeavors are unmatched, and he is actively involved in a number of charities and causes. In 1995, Mr. Hilfiger launched The Tommy Hilfiger Corporate Foundation, and in 2009, the foundation donated more than $2 million to Millennium Promise, a non-profit organization founded in 2005 to help end extreme poverty.

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