TOMMY HILFIGER AND ROMEO HUNTE RELEASE NEW CAPSULE
Tommy Hilfiger has launched a new capsule collection with Brooklyn-based designer Romeo Hunte. Dubbed, “TommyXRomeo,” the capsule was co-designed by Hilfiger and Hunte for the fall 2021 season.
The collection, which boasts exceptional material and elevated craftmanship, uses Hunte’s signature deconstruction techniques to reconstruct, remix and reimagine iconic Hilfiger pieces from the designer’s archives; for example, a preppy button-down shirt comes in unexpected, playful proportions, with the brand’s heritage Ithaca stripe reimagined in the colors of the New York City subway, while the classic bonded trench coat is remixed with sailing jacket color-blocking or clashed with a leather biker jacket.
“As a young, upcoming designer, I was lucky to be guided by incredible leaders who made a huge impact on my career,” said Hilfiger. “I am passionate about passing that on by mentoring the next generation of design talent. I’ve been supportive of and worked with Romeo Hunte for over five years. He is one of those truly exceptional newcomers – someone you know is going to make an impact as soon as you see his work.”
Added Hunte: “Tommy has been such a supportive mentor to me over the years. Reinvention is a fundamental part of my design DNA, so pushing the boundaries of the brand’s archives has been an incredibly creative and meaningful experience. We also wanted to take this concept further, challenging the status quo from the design process to the campaign and the crew to re-imagine and redefine the future. I’m really proud of what we’ve achieved and hope to inspire the next generation of talent to dream big.”
To further bring the collection to life, an ad campaign features models Ikram Abdi Omar, Aaliyah Hydes, Hidetatsu Takeuchi, and Babacar N’Doye. Meanwhile, painter and pattern maker Uzo Njoku will create a mural in her unique artistic style on Nassau Avenue and Banker Street in Brooklyn, New York City, and fine artist Annan Affotey will showcase his artistic talent with a mural at 112 Tabernacle Street in London. The murals will both include a QR code for consumers to explore bonus video content — including behind-the-scenes footage of the making of the murals and interviews with the artists — as well as to view and purchase the collection online.
In addition, six one-off upcycled TommyXRomeo polos will also be auctioned via the online auction site Catawiki, with proceeds to be donated to the FMA (Fashion Minority Alliance) a non-profit focused on collaborating with fashion and industry stakeholders to build and foster a more diverse, balanced, and inclusive industry that advances meaningful and long-term equity and advancement for BIPOC and historically marginalized creative talent.
The capsule is now available on tommy.com in the U.S. and Europe, as well as at exclusive wholesale partner Selfridges, and on romeohunte.com.
