Tommy Hilfiger celebrates ’60s and ’70s rock icons in a show saluting Beatles, Stones, Hendrix

NEW YORK, N.Y. – To Tommy Hilfiger, fashion is deeply intertwined with music. And in his runway show Monday, he celebrated some of his very favourite musicians — the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix, The Who, The Doors.

While those ’60s and ’70s icons played on the soundtrack, accompanied by some live musicians, too, Hilfiger showed clothes that incorporated their spirit. Many models wore whimsical military-style garments resembling those colorful Sgt. Pepper jackets that the Beatles wore. Elements of those band suits popped up everywhere: in brocade, gold trim, vintage buttons, and peacoats.

And who could have missed the daughter of a rock icon — model Georgia May Jagger, offspring of Mick — not only opening the show in a burgundy sateen cape, but reappearing later in a multicolored sequin mini-dress just as her father’s voice crooned “Sympathy for the Devil.”

The younger Jagger was not the only rock royalty at the show: Ella Richards, the 18-year-old granddaughter of Stones guitarist Keith Richards, also modeled, and sitting in the front row were Alexandra Richards, his daughter. Tara Ferry, son of singer and songwriter Bryan Ferry, played the drums during the show.

“I’ve always been inspired by music and musicians, from the very very beginning,” Hilfiger said in a backstage interview. “You look at the iconic rock stars from the ’60s and ’70s and the way they dressed and the influence they had on the fashion world. I wanted to take that and make it modern for today.”

The theme of iconic rock was echoed even in the impressive invitations: They came in the form of small vinyl records, bearing the guest’s seat number. The show’s set was a mix of bright colour, grandeur and whimsy. As one entered the massive hall of the Park Avenue Armory, the name of the designer appeared in huge, movie-theatre style lights. The floor was faux grass and flower beds, with the initials “TH” spelled out. A huge musical stage bearing two drummers loomed over the runway.

The clothes ranged from patchwork denim pants and vests to big colorful furry coats — perfect for a rock star or a wannabe — to sweet floral sheer maxi dresses. Some of the models even wore colorful guitars strapped to their backs.