Tommy Hilfiger commits to advancing minority representation in Fashion & Creative industries

Tommy Hilfiger is launching the People’s Place Program, a three-pillared platform with an initial minimum commitment of $5 million in annual funding for the next three years, that will seek to advance the representation of black, indigenous and people of color (BIPOC) within the fashion and creative industries. Centering around Partnerships, Career Access and Industry Leadership, the program seeks to achieve consistent, long-term change.

At the end of May, Tommy Hilfiger shared a personal call to action for himself and his namesake business amid the Black Lives Matter movement. This instigated a shift towards a culture of greater listening, learning and engaging both internally and with the fashion industry to better understand the role the brand should play to support BIPOC communities. The ensuing commitment puts into action Tommy Hilfiger’s wider vision to drive change throughout the industry and reinforces the company’s social and environmental sustainability mission to create fashion that wastes nothing and welcomes all.

“What is happening to Black communities in the US and around the world has no place in our society,” said Tommy Hilfiger. “The fact that it has continued to exist in our industry – overtly and systemically – is unacceptable. We are far behind where we should be in achieving diverse representation. It shouldn’t have taken us this long to acknowledge that, but we are determined and committed to changing it going forward. We will be intentional, fearless and unwavering in the actions we take. Through the People’s Place Program, we will use our platform to create opportunities and stand up for what is right.”

The program takes its name from Tommy Hilfiger’s first store which opened in 1969 in Hilfiger’s hometown of Elmira, New York. At only 18 years old, Hilfiger created the People’s Place as a dedicated space for people from all walks of life to come together to enjoy art, music, fashion and pop culture. Shaped by the cultural revolution of the 1960s, the original store fostered an exchange of ideas, encouraged authentic self-expression and challenged social norms. It is in this spirit that the new People’s Place Program has been founded and will continue to expand.

“As a company, we haven’t done enough,” said Martijn Hagman, CEO, Tommy Hilfiger Global and PVH Europe. “But we are determined to do better. We are taking immediate action to ensure that BIPOC communities in the fashion industry feel represented, heard and equally welcome to their seat at the table. The People’s Place journey starts now with a dedicated internal governance structure that will drive and report regularly on the long-term objectives of the platform. This is a firm commitment and first step in a long journey for what the People’s Place Program can achieve.”

Tommy Hilfiger is building a governance structure to oversee the People’s Place Program and ensure its success. Senior leadership will be appointed to direct the program, accelerate its growth internally and externally, and maintain focus on transparency through regular reporting on progress and impact made. The People’s Place Program team is currently engaging in discussions with industry peers and partners who can help advance the platform mission and maximize impact throughout the fashion landscape.

PVH Corp. and its entire brand portfolio is taking a stand against racism. PVH will use its resources and the platforms for TOMMY HILFIGER, CALVIN KLEIN, IZOD, Van Heusen, ARROW, Warner’s, Olga, True&Co. and Geoffrey Beene to help end racial inequality. The PVH Foundation donated $100,000 to each of The NAACP Legal Defense and Education Fund, which supports racial justice through advocacy, impact litigation and education, and The National Urban League, a historic civil rights organization dedicated to economic empowerment, equality and social justice. During the month of June, The PVH Foundation further matched 100% of charitable donations made by associates globally to organizations supporting racial justice.

As part of the PVH family, Tommy Hilfiger will also be making immediate internal strides to become a more informed, less biased organization with a strong sense of belonging. To address shortcomings in its internal BIPOC representation, the company has launched a Comprehensive Action Plan as the starting point in its journey to further address discrimination, injustice, inequality and racism. The Comprehensive Action Plan will shape how the company moves closer to reflecting the diversity of its consumer base.

SARKK SA, founded in 1998, is the exclusive distributor of Tommy Hilfiger in Greece, Cyprus, Romania, Bulgaria, Albania, North Macedonia and Moldavia. The Tommy Hilfiger products are offered through TOMMY HILFIGER stores, Shop-in-Shops, Outlets and an extensive network of selected stores.

As of July 1st, 2019, Sarkk SA has been appointed as the exclusive distributor and franchise partner of CALVIN KLEIN in Greece, Cyprus, Romania, Bulgaria, Albania and North Macedonia.

Always aiming for a healthy and stable growth and driven by corporate social responsibility values, SARKK SA, with stable and confident steps, is one of the healthiest corporations in the industry and is expanding by captivating even the most demanding consumers.