Tommy Hilfiger: 'My favorite style icons include Steve McQueen, Grace Kelly, James Dean'

As his namesake brand celebrates its 30th anniversary, American designer Tommy Hilfiger agreed to an interview on his three decades of success, design and growth. He also shared details on some of the special events planned during this anniversary year, including the launch of his memoir.

What have these past 30 years taught you?
We are proud and honored to be considered one of the pioneers of all-American style, and we are excited that our consumers recognize our brand's signature aesthetic that's classic, American and cool. The past 30 years have taught me the value of hard work, dedication and passion. I'm proud that I always stayed true to myself and never gave up on my dreams.

Is there anything you would do differently?
I always focus on the positive that comes from any challenge. Looking to the future, it's all about finding the right balance between tradition and innovation; we always strive to strike the perfect mix of classic and modern in our designs.

30 years ago, did you think that the brand would grow to become this big?
It feels like it was only yesterday when I founded my namesake brand. I dreamed of having a globally-recognized lifestyle brand but I never could have expected that our company would grow on such an incredible scale. We are very proud that today we have over 1,400 stores in more than 90 countries worldwide.

What is the key for a brand to succeed for so long?
Since I founded my namesake brand, my inspiration has always remained rooted in "classic American cool" style. Our signature look celebrates the East Coast Americana lifestyle with a West Coast twist that's laidback, confident and cool. Our success has come from defining this clear brand DNA and staying true to this heritage, and we love to see how our customers worldwide interpret our designs in their own unique way.

Why is America your main inspiration?
I grew up on the East Coast and that all-American lifestyle has always remained one of my core sources of inspiration. I have also always been drawn to iconic Americana and pop culture; some of my favorite style icons include Steve McQueen, Grace Kelly, James Dean, and Jackie O. Each is legendary in their own right, and each has made a permanent mark in music, film, or culture.

What can we expect to find in your memoir?
I'll be publishing my memoir in 2016 with Random House. I'll share my stories from all the milestone moments that have defined my career and my personal life, and how I got to where I am today.

Rafael Nadal has been named the brand ambassador of the Tommy Hilfiger Tailored and Underwear FW15 collections. Can you comment on this?
I'm continuously inspired by his dedication and passion for his sport. Rafael's style is effortless and really exemplifies our brand spirit -- he's fun and cool, and doesn't take it too seriously.

What can we expect from your brand for the next 30 years?
We are excited to see what the future will hold -- I always believe that the best is yet to come! We always see opportunity for growth and elevation, and we will continue to design, create and expand our product offering while staying true to our brand heritage.

Photo courtesy of Craig McDean