take over Paris #TOMMYNOW
This spring, Tommy Hilfiger, brought his American verve into the 2019-2020 Paris Fashion Week. For the first time yes, but he followed a prepared path that gave him the inspiration to create a 70s like show.
He talked to us about the “Bataille de Versailles” an event organised in 1973 to rais money for the palace’s restauration. But what is interesting in this event is the establishment of American fashion design on the international level.
Tommy Hilfiger by Marco Tassini for Vogue Cinzia Malvini & Tommy Hilfiger
Marie-Hélène de Rothchild welcomed 600 guests. Between the renown faces we could see Grace Kelly and Jane Birkin. The show starts, Christian Dior, Hubert de Givenchy, Emanuel Ungaro and Piere Cardin are facing the American wave: Oscar de la Renta, Stephen Burrows, Bill Blass, Halston, Anne Klein with her young assistant, Donna Karan. Lisa Minnelli is master of ceremony. The American show is a real revolution, modern, in the dynamic of feminist movements growing in the US, with about 30 athletic models, from which 10 are Afro-American. Later this event will inspire a book, several documentaries and scenes in movies.
Pat Cleveland and other models for Steven Borrows, 1973, Versailles & 2019 for Tommy Hilfiger
Pat Cleveland came back, she walked the podium then and she was here now. The effect was that of a glamour bomb. Like in the past. We do not see such shows in Europe, unless Jean Paul Gaultier is taking over the Folies Bergeres, or Thierry Mugler works his magic from behind a curtain. But for one collection presentation this is just mind blowing. He is known for his incredible events but he told me “I do not do it every time”. What we saw was a unique present, a moment to remember and to mark down in fashion’s history.
He took over the Theatre des Champs Elysées and transform it in a roller-skate center. Pop colours, artefacts, popcorn, a podium to die on. A cheerful crowd was skating on it for about one hour in a perfect time capsule, we were in the 70s most wanted club. Backstage, top models were getting ready. The collection Tommy Now, created with actress and singer Zendaya, is an ode to women. Vibrant lurex and glitter, jeans and fun, easy going shapes to enhance any body. And I mean any size, skin colour or age. The casting presented the real beautiful face of America. We could see Winnie, Jurdan Dunn, Grace Bol, Halima Aden, Cindy Bruna or Beverly Johnson. The cheerful rhythm was culminated by Pull up to the bumper tube and the walk of incredible 70 years timeless Grace Jones. By this point the crowd was cheering and singing with a beautiful freedom and happiness feeling. All girls, with Tommy and Zendaya, invaded the podium for the finale, on the We are Family bounding sound.
Cinzia Malvini & Alexandra Mas before the show - A model backstage - Lady Grace Jones rocking
Uplifting moment proving beauty’s freedom, TommyNow is already in shops. He understood the generational restlessness and made again a strong statement from the other side of the ocean.
all photos & videos are by Marco Tassini ©MasTassiniStudio
©StevenBorrows for the 1973 photography