Backstage at Tommy Hilfiger Fall Winter 2012

February 12, 2012 by J.T.

Sunday February 12, 2012 – Park Avenue Armory

Stepping back into the Park Ave Armory two days after showing his cadet inspired Men’s collection, Tommy Hilfiger unveiled a very chic and esquestrian tinged women’s collection. To compliment his sharp West Point military boys, the Tommy girl embodies a strong, classic American spirit that could just as easily transition from horseback riding in the countryside to stepping out at night on the streets of the Upper East Side. Based on the concept of “Town and Country” it was difficult not to think of Ali MacGraw strutting the Harvard campus in the 70′s hit, “Love Story”. This elite-collegiate style, once called “Sassy Class” by Candice Bergen, was a key theme from the first A-line skirt.

The first set of looks were a play on the tomboy silhouette but done in strong feminine proportions, a segue from the men’s collection though the use of black & plum melton wools in double breasted officer coats . Equestrian details are injected into silk dresses along with tromp l’oeil cable knits. A modern super slim burgundy cavalier houndstooth single breasted jacket is paired with a skinny pant version of a houndstooth matching jodhpur. A mustard colored motorcycle jacket and skirt pair with navy accents was one the most sublime looks midway through the collection.

“There is a timeless feel. The ambiance, these penny loafers riding boots and the equestrian helmets are so elegant” said french actress Elisa Sednaoui to a reporter.

A glance across the front row, past Uma Thurman, revealed Tommy’s daughter Ally Hilfiger alongside her boyfriend, who looked like that retro idyllic pair you’d find in an old photograph in your parents photo album. And Ali or Ally were a source of inspiration, to insinuate that Tommy’s collection was somehow nostalgic would be unfounded. If anything, this collection was more than just an evolution from the classic prep; something about this new Tommy woman felt effortlessly modern with a rich narrative that kept us enthralled to the very last look.

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