Tommy Hilfiger has teamed together with Brooklyn designer Romeo Hunte to develop the Tommy X Romeo capsule collection for autumn 2021.
Hunte and Hilfiger collaborated on each limited-edition piece, combining two distinct design approaches to create a modern perspective on streetwear. Hunte’s deconstruction skills are used to recreate artefacts from the Tommy Hilfiger archives in this collection. The result is non-gender-specific outerwear and deconstructed outfits that seamlessly combine Hilfiger prep with Brooklyn streetstyle. Hunte collaborates with Tommy to reinterpret classic Hilfiger looks to produce refined pieces with a twist. Items are cut to unusual proportions and have out-of-place fastenings and hems to create unique silhouettes. With clashing fabrics and colours for bold twists, Hunte’s inclination to recycle materials adds a mixed media touch to each item. The legendary Tommy trench coat has been reconstructed into a three-way jacket with bright yellow sleeves and text on the back that yells, “It’s just a trench coat.” Another is a brilliant green blazer with zips at the side seams that remove the sleeves and restructure the jacket’s frame. Hunte used old Hilfiger fabrics to produce a selection of runway and ready-to-wear outfits, similar to a previous AW2020 Romeo Hunte collection. Hunte recycled 12 vintage pieces supplied by Hilfiger, who then designed a variety of deconstructed suits and outfits in his distinctive style. Hilfiger has acted as a long-time mentor to the young designer, sharing archival designs for new collections and freely expressing his enthusiasm for the designer’s vision. Hilfiger added that he was fortunate to be guided by amazing executives who had a big impact on my career as a young, aspiring designer and passionate about passing that knowledge on to the next generation of designers through mentoring them. For almost five years, he have been a fan of Romeo Hunte and have collaborated with him. Our capsule is definitely a meeting place of our two worlds, and he is very proud of it. Together, they’ve focused on giving the mic to the next generation of BIPOC creatives, as well as teaching leaders how to improve representation and magnify their talent on a larger and global scale. This collection is presently accessible on both the Hilfiger and Hunte commerce platforms in the United States and Europe, as well as an exclusive relationship with Selfridges.
