A Visit From Mr. Hilfiger

I couldn't think of a better way to end the course than with a lecture from the legendary Tommy Hilfiger. It was so surreal to have him two feet away from you, talking about his way to the preppy top. 

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Tommy Hilfiger’s Winning Formula

The all-American designer shares some advice with the Condé Nast College

By Deanne R. Bañares

The students at the Condé Nast College of Fashion and Design welcomed legendary fashion designer Tommy Hilfiger into their halls last Friday afternoon. Duly dressed in preppy pieces, Hilfiger is the soul of the spirited, all-American brand that has garnered international renown. But, as he recounted with his audience, the climb to the top wasn’t one of ease.  

“During high school, I worked in a gas station to open my own clothing shop. My family laughed at me when I told them I wanted to be a fashion designer,” he shared. Ignoring other people’s perceptions, Hilfiger started doing what he was always meant to do by acting upon his intuitions and inspirations. “I looked at all America has to offer in terms of pop culture – fashion, art, music, and entertainment - and decided that I wanted to package it in a brand and carry it worldwide.”

Hilfiger’s extraordinary passion to do so resulted in establishing his eponymous label while learning the tricks of the trade. “I taught myself how to deal with the business and management side,” he said. Subtly dropping success hints for the students, he shared a piece of advice: “The best brands are about people who are both business people and creative people.”

This winning formula has brought his brand to an impressive status. But when asked what his greatest achievement is, he immediately answered, “the Tommy Hilfiger Foundation. The idea is to give back by helping others get to a better place whether through medical attention or educational support.”

Fashion tends to be a rambunctious ride but Hilfiger admits that, “Even after 25 years, I still love what I do and look for ways to grow.” Certainly, the aspiring fashion students can take more than a thing or two from the man who inspired a lifestyle.  

The seats were to be filled by Principal Susie Forbes and Tommy Hilfiger 

Funny - this was the exact outfit he was wearing when he gave the lecture 

Photo from therichest.com 

LDN: Project Pride

Deanne writes...

For our second project at the college, we were asked to produce content for our chosen magazine. My group and I chose Vogue UK. One of the pages we produced was my feature on J. Crew as it's opening its first international store on Regent Street this November.

I really enjoyed writing this article even though inspiration only struck the weekend before it was due! This was how the the page turned out. Excuse me if it seems like I'm blowing my own horn but I'm super proud of it! If you want to read the article - and please do - click below.

Xx

LDN: What do you want to be when you grow up?

Deanne writes...

It's really funny how I fawn over journalists. When I found out that Charlotte Sinclair was coming to speak at our college, my heart skipped a beat. Or two. My affinity towards her began when I looked to her works for inspiration. Sometimes, I get stuck in a rut. Writing is such an excruciating process, especially at the beginning when you're trying to find the words for the most perfect first sentence that will grab your reader. Reading Charlotte's pieces often leads me to my aha! moments because they're so conversational, witty, and fluid... just the way I hope my own pieces turn out. 

I prepared well for her talk: sat on the front row, took out my pen and notebook. It was when she was telling us her story, her writer struggles, and her process that I realized how much we have in common in terms of writing.

"I love to research and interview!" Umm, me, too!

"Every journalist approaches an article with pain." Exactly how I feel when I see a blank Word document in front of me. 

"But once you have the first paragraph, you can relax!" Is she stalking me or something? Whenever I have the first paragraph down, I celebrate. I get some chocolate. 

Throughout that hour with her, I was smiling inside. I was so glad that there was someone who could verbalize the daily struggles and triumphs of a writer. It reminded me of the quote by Michael Kenin: I don't like to write but I love to have written. SO SPOT ON. 

I couldn't contain myself so when it was over, I went up to her and had a little chat. And then I asked if I could have my photo taken with her. She replied: "Of course! In our matching coats!" Hahahaha... hopefully we have matching destinies, too. 

Xx

LDN: J'adore Dior!

Deanne writes...

I am in the middle of finishing my first project for the college. Somehow I can't believe it has materialized! I spent the past two weeks researching and writing about Dior, from its beginnings in 1947 to the present. I have analyzed three of their designers and their key collections, looked at their history and development as a brand. I can't wait to share it!

While Google searching for images I could include, I came across this one...

It's Marion Cotillard on the cover of Dior magazine's very first issue and she's wearing the ORIGINAL Bar jacket and skirt designed by Dior in 1947.  She's so lucky! And by the way, it's a beautiful cover. It's so simple but it speaks volumes about what the House of Dior stands for. Which, in my opinion, got a bit blurred during Galliano's tenure. I'm so glad Simons is at the helm now. More of that in my website... coming soon.

Xx

Image from Fashion Copius

LDN: Roomies

Deanne writes...

There it is in all its pristine, shining glory. Not exactly what I thought when I first entered the base room of our school. I honestly thought they weren't through with it yet. But they told us they were.

Coming from an interior decoration magazine, I had this intense itch to decorate every inch of the place.  A painting here, color there (please!). Just anything to inspire me more!

And then Kate, our wonderfully "jazz hands" teacher and insanely avid fan of technology, conveyed the reason for the purity. It went something like this:

"The school is just a canvas. You are the painting."

I silently applauded her for the totally appropriate metaphor (after all, we are fashion students)! Everything we step into is just a frame for our creations. 

And that's what everyone in the fashion industry does. Anna Dello Russo fills the pages of Vogue Japan with her magic. Annie Leibovitz captures the raw essence of her subjects with her camera. Christopher Kane translates the intangible energy of London's youth into fabric. I can go on and on...

As the first cohort of the school, we are expected to do the same. Never have I been so moved to rise to a challenge. At this point in time, the fashion industry seems to be saturated with aspirants but I believe that there's a place for each one of us. We just have to find it. And as the days go by (oh so quickly!), I feel like I'm getting closer and closer to the point I've been tending to all along. 

It's gonna be a good one.

Xx

LDN: Square One

Deanne writes...

There are many things I have to ask forgiveness for but nothing on the moral level (at least not on this blog). When I started this with my friend, I knew commitment would be required of me. And then life sort of happened and this got pushed to the side... like many other projects of mine. This time though, that can't happen.

First of all, I am in London (do you see what happened to the blog? It's not MNL and NYC anymore. It's LDN and NYC.)

Second, I love to write.

So I have no more excuses. 

I took the above photo last April 8 on my flight from HK to LDN. It's been 3 weeks. I am halfway around the world, far away from the shores of my country in pursuit of the dream that has been potent for quite some time now: fashion. You can laugh, wonder what the hell I want to do in this seemingly fluffy, airy industry. But I've been in the Condé Nast College of Fashion and Design for 2 weeks and it can take me all day (or two... or three...) to challenge you on that notion. 

I have a lot of catching up to do (if there's such thing as a New York minute, there's also a London minute) but for now I'll leave you with where I want to end up:

Above my head, there it is: VOGUE HOUSE. I understand how big that dream is but you know... Don't tell me I can reach for the sky when there are footprints on the moon. Yes, it's that sort of thing. 

Back to square one. A clean slate. A new beginning. 

Thank God I can do it in style.

Xx