Tommy Hilfiger announced recently that he will publish a memoir with Ballantine Books, an imprint of which will chronicle personal stories from his early childhood and formative years, his origins in the fashion industry, and the setbacks, triumphs, and sheer determination that drove him to build a multi-billion dollar global lifestyle brand.
Publication is scheduled for Fall 2015, coinciding with the 30th anniversary of the Tommy Hilfiger brand.
Hilfiger, 63, is known for classic, all-American style that melds pop culture and the preppy, East Coast lifestyle. Raised in New York, he opened a small chain of clothing stores in 1969 while still in high school. He launched his namesand fashion label in 1985, and the brand quickly expanded to include womenswear, Hilfiger Denim, kidswear, accessories, fragrance, and home, among other categories.
In the 1990s, he was one of the first designers to blend fashion and celebrity, sponsoring tours for rock legends like The Rolling Stones and featuring musicians such as Lenny Kravitz, David Bowie and Beyoncé in his iconic advertising campaigns. In 2012, the Council of Fashion Designers of America honored him with the Geoffrey Beene Lifetime Achievement Award.
“Reflecting on my experiences in the fashion industry over the last 30-plus years has been a wild ride, filled with milestone moments that have defined both my career and personal life,” said Hilfiger. “I always believe the best is yet to come, but so far: it’s been the adventure of a lifetime.”