Over the last 15 years we've developed our brand into a global brand and we wanted our giving to follow suit.
I looked at my competitors and I thought that, If they could do it, I could do it. And if, they are popular and doing well, I could compete with them.
I had eight brothers and sisters. Every Christmas my younger brother Bobby would wake up extra early and open everybody's presents - everybody's - so by the time the rest of us got up, all the gifts were shredded, ribbons off, torn open and thrown aside.
Our look and image never change dramatically from one season to the next, so we need an edge.
Algebra looked like Chinese characters to me, and I could never get into reading Shakespeare. I just did not get it.
I think it is really important to have a sense of business. As a designer you can get so wrapped up in the design and fashion side that you forget the business side.
We had incense and rock'n'roll posters, and we sold records and rolling papers. People could just, like, hang out. We had a cool vibe going.
We are going back to our roots by cultivating new unsigned talent who otherwise might go unnoticed.
My mother was kind and forgiving and would take in all the waifs and strays in our neighbourhood; we always compared her to Mother Teresa. She taught me a lot.
If I see someone wearing Hilfiger it makes me proud, but then I wonder what I could do to make the style more relevant for them next year?
I've never tried to do couture, because it's a whole different beast.
The preppy lifestyle has gone global. We feel that our business has grown so well because preppy travels so well. It's all-American classic.
