Tommy Hilfiger Europe B.V., a subsidiary of Tommy Hilfiger Corporation, today announced the opening of its new office, showroom and retail store complex at the prestigious Piazza Oberdan in Milan. The new commercial complex will house offices, showrooms, a retail store, and an adjacent concept entertainment space. This marks the Company's first step in increasing its presence in Italy since it acquired the rights to full distribution and management of the Tommy Hilfiger brand in Italy from former distributor Fincom, SPA in March 2005. This also marks the introduction of the Company's first retail location in Milan.
“We are proud to present our new home for Tommy Hilfiger in Italy, and see this as the next significant step in establishing a stronger presence for the Company in the Italian market. We believe a central Milan headquarters for our wholesale and retail operations in Italy will truly anchor the Company's position in this most critical of fashion markets,” said Fred Gehring, Chief Executive Officer of Tommy Hilfiger Europe. “With the start of our first direct selling season in the showroom in July, followed by the opening of our first Milan retail store in September, this is the first step in developing Italy into a significant European market for the Company.”
The complex is located at the historic Piazza Oberdan, in a landmark building measuring approximately 1,500 square meters in total. The expansive showroom will serve as the central wholesale operation for Italy, and is constructed in an atrium-inspired glass space featuring moveable, architectural elements to accommodate the following Tommy Hilfiger product divisions: Men's Sportswear, Women's Sportswear, Hilfiger Denim, Childrenswear, and several licensed businesses.
The adjacent retail store, measuring approximately 160 square meters, is scheduled to open in mid-September of 2005, and will carry Men's and Women's Sportswear, Hilfiger Denim and select accessories. The Milan store design will be unique to the Tommy Hilfiger global retail portfolio, representing a marriage of local architectural elements with modern, American influences. The product presentation is inspired by Italian merchandising traditions, and incorporates a mix of antique and modern materials, such as high gloss fixtures and industrial steel paired with aged chestnut flooring. The concept entertainment space will evolve in its functionality from time to time as inspired by seasonal themes and events.
Tommy Hilfiger Corporation, through its subsidiaries, designs, sources and markets men's and women's sportswear, jeanswear and childrenswear. The Company's brands include Tommy Hilfiger and Karl Lagerfeld. Through a range of strategic licensing agreements, the Company also offers a broad array of related apparel, accessories, footwear, fragrance, and home furnishings. The Company's products can be found in leading department and specialty stores throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, Mexico, Central and South America, Japan, Hong Kong, Australia and other countries in the Far East, as well as the Company's own network of outlet and specialty stores in the United States, Canada and Europe.