Tommy Hilfiger opens its largest global flagship store

18 Sep '09

3 min read

Tommy Hilfiger Group announces the opening of its global flagship store located at 681 Fifth Avenue in New York. The store is the largest Tommy Hilfiger retail store worldwide, joining an elite mix of upscale retailers on one of the most prestigious shopping avenues in the world.

"We are pleased to finally open a global anchor in our brand's hometown," said Fred Gehring, CEO of Tommy Hilfiger Group. "This opening is an important and tactical move in our efforts to further elevate the brand in both the international community and the U.S. For years we have established flagships worldwide, but never found the right opportunity to open in one of the world's most important locations, New York City. Fifth Avenue, with its global significance and blend of luxury meets accessibility, is the perfect location and alignment for the brand."

"As an iconic thoroughfare, Fifth Avenue is the perfect home for all of our collections," said Tommy Hilfiger. "I'm very excited to open our global flagship in the city where I first started the company over 20 years ago. The Fifth Avenue flagship represents the mix of aspirational yet affordable -- the foundation and heritage of our brand philosophy."

Inspired by modern meets traditional, and based on 20th century architecture, the 22,000 square foot freestanding store is designed by the Tommy Hilfiger creative team in partnership with Callison Architects. Taking creative cues from McKim, Mead, and White, the store's interior features a dramatic, modern centralized staircase that doubles as a viewing platform for a revolving art installation and ascends a total of four levels. Designed digitally, the staircase resembles a floating sculpture that provides continuous views of Fifth Avenue, complete with Brazilian cherry treads and glass railing.

The store, located in the former Fortunoff retail space, offers a comprehensive Tommy Hilfiger lifestyle that includes the runway collection, menswear and men's tailored, womenswear, footwear, accessories, the complete Hilfiger Denim collection as well as vintage. Spanning four floors and a lower level, the store features oil-rubbed bronze metal fixtures as well as a grand restoration of the building's facade to its original Indiana limestone. The first floor, offering men's sportswear, is offset by elegant ivory drapes against walnut panels, channeling the old charm of a library and men's club. Upon walking downstairs, the lower level houses Hilfiger Denim where customers can find a bar-inspired wrap desk with stools and a seating area -- all set for comfortable lounging. The second floor presents an extensive selection of men's tailored, runway and accessories, and a glimpse of the main floor and lower level from a glass railing with leather cap. The third floor showcases women's sportswear and is characterized by Tommy Hilfiger-trademark 1960's Venini chandeliers and a Brazilian cherry herringbone floor, while the fourth floor offers the women's runway collection, emphasized by glass doors that open onto a balcony overlooking Fifth Avenue.

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