Sonam Kapoor holds promise to be the next star: Tommy Hilfiger

Basking in the comfortable grandeur of his trademark casual chic, fashion icon Tommy Hilfiger sits patiently through interviews and interactions on Saturday at the Hilfiger store to bring in his decade-long foray in India. Today, there are 1,200 Tommy Hilfiger stores in over 90 countries, making a cool $6.3 billion in 2013. But his journey started in India 35 years ago, when with the aid of Indian manufacturing units, he came up with his first collection.Edited excerpts of an interview on his phenomenal journey: 

You said that you came to India to make your first collection 35 years ago, and yet you started retailing in India only a decade ago. How has been the India experience for you?

It’s been phenomenal decade. When I first came to India, I worked with 10 tailors on a dirt floor factory, who’d stitch me samples. A family from Delhi, the Ahuja’s, helped me immensely. In Bangalore (where the first Tommy Hilfiger store came up in 2004), the manufacturing units and the fabrics helped me shape my first collection, which put me on the map. We were one of the first brands to enter India, and I’m proud of being part of India’s success story. 

You recently spoke graciously about supermodel Kendall Jenner, and said that she will be the next star. Is there anybody in India who holds that promise? 

I think Sonam Kapoor. She’s got the whole package -- she’s beautiful and smart, she’s an actress, and a fashion star.

What is that one notable difference you’ve observed in these years?

Everything in India today is much more sophisticated; more global and in tune with what’s going on around the world. Restaurants, automobiles, social media, fashion, people -- everything is on a different level today. 

What about India do you love the most?

I love the colours, the fabrics and the smell. And the food! One of my favourite places to eat is the Bukhara at the ITC Maurya.

The commemorative products include a bandi and a paisley shawl. Have you toyed with the idea of Indianising Tommy Hilfiger products?

Every single Tommy collection has Indian fabrics. While one season may have Madras fabrics, another may have paisleys, and yet silk prints on another season. I’ve always incorporated Indian fabrics in my collections. I’m finding that the young people in India are no different than young people in Paris and New York. They want the same fashion, jeans, colours, t-shirts, and the same blouses. 

Is there any designer you’d like to collaborate with? 

I think my friend Naeem Khan is quite incredible. Maybe I’ll do some fancy embroidery stuff with him some day. There’s also another young designer from Nepal, Prabal Gurung; to whom I am a mentor. I think he is amazing.