SC E N E & H E A R D
Talking Shop with Tommy Hilf iger’s Lisa Di Napoli W E CAUG H T U P with be more innovation around Lisa Di Napoli, vice presipost-consumer recycling. That dent of children’s design for we, as a society and industry, Tommy Hilfiger, recently will find ways for unwanted at the annual the Fashion garments to be turned back Institute of Technology’s into raw materials and come Future of Fashion Runway up with easy, convenient ways Show. Di Napoli, who served to collect the clothing so less as one of the judges, shared a goes into the landfills. few thoughts on the winning Lisa Di Napoli childrenswear designer‘s work How has Tommy Hilfiger as well as her take on current adapted its collections market trends. Despite a retail landscape to the needs of the market recently? in great upheaval, the exec with 15-plus Childrenswear has certainly become more years of industry experience under her trend- and status-inspired the last few belt believes opportunities for innovation years. It’s no longer just the “mini me” and growth still abound. look for the 7-14 size range—it’s from baby all the way through to the older child. At What did you love about winner Samantha Tommy, we have injected looks and ideas Berger’s collection? Samantha used her from the more youth-driven successes at personal experience and observations the brand like Tommy Jeans and the colas inspiration. (Based on a trip she took laborations with Gigi Hadid and Zendaya. to Japan.) That is the essence of being a designer—taking cues from the world around What are some trends for Fall ’19 on you. Beyond that, she had a clear vision, your radar? The ’90s influence in a major which she articulated and executed from way—oversized sweatshirts and outerwear, start to finish. She took her whole project primary and hyper-bright color, metallic the extra mile by thinking through every everything and everywhere. High-density detail—right down to the shoes to complete and high-shine graphics will also be popular. her outfits, which she made herself! Plush and high-pile fabric will continue as well as utility pockets and accessories. What advice did you have for her durAnd because it’s childrenswear, soft and ing the design process? Exaggerate the cozy is always a trend. design details, but do not let it get too costume-y. Remember a kid has to wear What do you love about your role at this. It’s fashion, but you must keep the Tommy Hilfiger? It’s powerful to have a child in mind. great brand as your support. At Tommy, there’s a culture of openness. That openWhat’s one of the major issues facing ness is what leads to the adaptive clothing graduating childrenswear designers? line we produce, and that’s what I’m most Sustainability is important for the whole proud of—that our children’s designs fashion industry, but it’s a bigger chalhave a wider reach. I’m so pleased to have lenge in childrenswear. It’s difficult to been a part of the inception of Runway ask the customer to pay a higher price for of Dreams at Tommy and thrilled that, sustainable clothing when a child’s entire as a brand, we continue to expand this wardrobe has to be constantly rebought category and inspire other companies every six months. My hope is there will to do so as well.
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Samantha Berger’s sketch
Berger and her winning design
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6/16/19 4:00 PM