An innovative American company, Tommy Hilfiger sells high-end apparel, accessories, fragrances, and more. So how did a $150 beginning investment become a multi-billion dollar firm in 36 years for such an internationally successful company? Let's examine the Tommy Hilfiger company's history.

The Growth of the Brand

Who is Tommy Hilfiger is the first question that has to be addressed. In Elmira, New York, on March 24, 1951, Tommy Hilfiger was born. He had little interest in school and, by leaving college early, he didn't take the conventional routes to success in today's world. His primary love, though, was fashion. He took inspiration from the fashion sense of at-the-time popular figures like Mick Jagger and David Bowie.

Hilfiger initially struggled with developing his personal style and assisting his pals in doing the same. He would spend his time exploring New York in search of his preferred clothing or looking for items to sell to his pals. He eventually reasoned that his passion of fashion and the necessity to earn money might go hand in hand. He made the decision to launch his own business at the age of 20, naming it "People's Place."

Although it was a risky initial step, his lack of business knowledge caused him to make a number of errors that ultimately resulted in that company's bankruptcy six years later.

The establishment of Tommy Hiiger (1980S THROUGH 1990S)

Hilfiger decided to keep pursuing his passion despite his lack of concern over the bankruptcy. In 1979, he started a group of designers he called "Tommy Hill." Only a few years later, he would meet Mohan Murjani, an Indian textile tycoon who was interested in diversifying into men's clothes, and his ambitions would soon come true. With his support, Tommy Hilfiger Corporation, the original edition of the brand, was able to be launched.

In 1985, Tommy Hilfiger debuted the brand's iconic menswear line. This collection highlighted traditional preppy looks combined with a fresh attitude. It comprised button-down shirts and chinos. Although the company took several risks that didn't always pay off, it nonetheless enjoyed some success in its first ten years. This success was largely attributable to the use of American-born talent.

The Tommy Hilfiger brand left Murjani International's bigger enterprise in 1989. This time, they had textile industry billionaire Silas Chou's support in the form of money. In addition, they had grown to be substantial enough to recruit Lawrence Stroll and Joel Horowitz, two former executives of the well-known Ralph Lauren brand, who worked to advance the brand during the ensuing ten years by founding Tommy Hilfiger, Inc. to give the business a new public face.

DEVELOPMENT OF PRODUCT LINES AND NATIONAL GROWTH (1990S)

The brand expanded to have a significant national presence during the 1990s. Tommy Hilfiger Corporation and Tommy Hilfiger, Inc. engaged in this in two portions.

For instance, Tommy Hilfiger Corporation ultimately decided to go public in 1992, providing it with further financial support. They obtained a license to Pepe Jeans USA in 1995, and since then, their great reputation has been developed on their jean brand.

When Tommy Hilfiger, Inc. started offering women's clothing the next year, they gained additional notoriety. They eventually started selling home goods and fragrances.

Hilfiger blended the two in 1997 and built his first shop in Beverly Hills, which helped propel his company into the public eye on a global scale.

Of course, a history of Tommy Hilfiger wouldn't be complete without including the company's use of the era's music industry for marketing purposes. The Psychoderelict Tour for Pete Townshend was sponsored by the Tommy Hilfiger company. The clothing line's designs evolved along with musical trends. Throughout the 1990s, the business continued to support Sheryl Crow, Lenny Kravitz, and Britney Spears.

BRAND'S INTERNATIONAL GROWTH (2000S TO NOW)

In 1998, the company opened its first store abroad in London. From that point on, they gradually expanded across various regions of Europe, further establishing themselves as an American brand. They successfully positioned themselves as the brand of "traditional American cool."

When they debuted women's intimate items in 2001 and men's and women's fragrances in 2004, their sales rose. The Tommy Hilfiger brand reached $1.8 billion in yearly sales by the mid-2000s. Shortly after these peaks, Tommy Hilfiger made the decision to sell the entire company to Apax Partners, a private investment firm. Apax Partners concentrated more of its efforts on the American markets in 2010 and experienced notable increases in U.S. sales.

The Tommy Hilfiger name was recently purchased by the PVH Corporation for $3 billion. Since then, they have expanded their apparel and accessory lines to meet a wider range of demands, such as by creating a gender-neutral clothing line, and they have also introduced digital sales in 2015. The brand has grown and continued to be successful as a result of these modifications.

Tommy Hilfiger Clothing Now

Tommy Hilfiger clothing still serves as a means of self-expression. It is a traditional fashion brand that proudly promotes the excellence of an American-made product in everything from shoes to hats and everything in between.