«The new pop culture is born» with Tommy Hilfiger x Shawn Mendes

«Our fashion sense found a collision point on the 80s and 90s», designer Tommy Hilfiger and Shawn Mendes, the environmentalist singer and it-boy with 71.6 million followers on Instagram, explained in an exclusive meeting with MFF. The pair will be in Milan tonight to meet a huge crowd of people at the Piazza Guglielmo Oberdan store and a private celebration at the Portrait Hotel. The two occasions celebrate the launch of the co-lab with the canadian star, which after stopping in London and Berlin, he now lands in Milan and then will move on to Mexico City.

«We believe in an industry that does not waste anything and welcomes everyone», the two creatives said in unison. The Tommy x Shawn Classics Reborn capsule collection features 28 pieces of menswear and womenswear, reloaded classics of the preppy pre-90s fashion house, including repurposed, high-tech fibers and fabrics, as well as circular economy solutions. The early 90s are embodied by the likes of Pamela Anderson, the Baywatch star among the guests at the London event. The collection plays with historical passions of the Designer, such as pop culture.

«I even have a pair of jeans that belonged to Marilyn Monroe». This pop spirit, between art and fashion, comes back as a common thread in the meeting between Tommy Hilfiger and Shawn Mendes, who for MFF, to pay almost homage to the magazine launched in the 80s by Andy Warhol, at times interviewed each other.

What was on your mood board when you set out on the collection?

Shawn Mendes. A lot comes from the 90s. We definitely drew a lot of inspiration from the 90s pieces from Tommy’s archive in terms of fit and style and also from the late 80s.

Tommy Hilfiger. In the late 80s and early 90s, when we started working on more street-style, with brighter colors and baggy fits. The hip hop kids embraced it.

S.M. There is also a genderless essence of the whole collection, it can be worn by a man as well as a woman. It is the way our generation wants to wear fashion.

T.H. Actually, we do not distinguish gender. We talk about «user».

What do the younger generation want?

T.H. I think they want a brand they can rely on. I think they also want quality, fit and comfort.

S.M. I agree with that. I can only speak for myself, but as a young guy, I want something the moment I wear it to fit me. I do not want to have to spend time for the look to be perfect. This easy look always happens with Tommy’s garments.

T.H. Well, Shawn has an advantage, everything he puts on looks good on him (laughs).

When did you first meet each other?

T.H. We invited you to join us at the Met Museum. We saw each other in the showroom.

S.M. I just remember that we met casually…

T.H. I gave you a tour of the offices once. Then we went to the Met Gala together. And then again to another Met Gala and the picture of you in the peacoat were everywhere (referring to the 2022 edition, when Mendes showed up wearing custom made looks, made from responsible and vintage deadstock fabrics, ed.).

When did you realize that you wanted to do something together?

T.H. We probably talked about doing something together in 2017, like a first idea. However, he was busy and so was I. Right after Covid-19 we thought it would have been nice to reinvent our classics. As a result, we launched Classics Reborn, with Shawn’s co-design and his love for sustainability.

S.M. There was almost a collision of values toward sustainability, and then I was attracted by the 90s. I used to look at a lot of Tommy’s clothes from that period and be inspired by them, including in terms of fashion sense.

Do you have the same fashion sense?

S.M. Do you mean what was my fashion sense? Great question. I think I have always had a hard time answering that question, because I am aware that I change a lot depending on the day and how I am feeling. It has a lot to do with how it fits me, if it suits me well, whether or not I feel comfortable.

And for you, Mr. Hilfiger, has your fashion sense changed over time?

T.H. It is constantly evolving and changing, but I am always attracted to my archive and my original designs, which I keep reinventing.

Shawn, would you like to continue designing clothes?

S.M. That is a good question. It depends… It is not always as easy to design clothes as it was with Tommy and his team. We will see. I do not feel like saying yes, but it could happen.

Shawn, do you like being an it-boy? Do you like it or does it scare you?

S.M. That is a great question. I do not know. Whatever «it-boy» means, if it just means being in the spotlight, I think yes, I do like it. Sometimes you feel a little pressure, but sometimes you enjoy it. Therefore, I have always tried to keep myself authentic and not lose a sense of reality.

T.H. That is what happens when you are born with a certain kind of talent, right? You exploit it and suddenly it puts you in a different light. My whole team keeps saying about him, «he is polite, he is kind to us, he is respectful». There are many celebrities who, after becoming big stars, have changed and are no longer polite.

Tommy loves music, will you work on a music project together?

S.M. We do not have anything ready at the moment.

T.H. Shawn is the music man here (laughs). I like listening to music, but I cannot play any instrument.

Shawn, is there a question you would like to ask Tommy?

S.M. I would like to ask him how he managed to stay so humble, although I do not believe this word really express what I mean, but rather down-to-earth and authentic, despite his success.

T.H. I come from a family of humble origins, from a small town in the state of New York, we did not have a lot of money. That is something I always remember.

And Tommy, is there anything you want to ask Shawn?

T.H. Yes. When did you start playing music?

S.M. I started playing guitar when I was 13 or 14, and at the same time I started singing. I think most singers started much earlier, at 2 or 3 years old, and that was probably the case for me too, but it was only later I started thinking I wanted to work in that industry. From there, it was all very fast. On my 13th birthday, my parents bought me my first guitar, a Fender, with a small, black case, and I signed to a record label when I was 15.

Tommy has a beautiful collection of musical items and other memorabilia in his office.

T.H. Yes, I do. I collect photos, guitars… I even have a pair of jeans that belonged to Marylin Monroe. Pop culture collectibles.

S.M. Now you can see why you have been so impactful in pop culture yourself. (All rights reserved)