NEW YORK (AP) – It’s often remarked that New York Fashion Week feels like a carnival. Designer Tommy Hilfiger decided to take that idea to its most literal conclusion, erecting a real-life carnival on a pier at Manhattan’s South Street Seaport to display his wares.
On a muggy summer Friday night, under a gaggle of strung-up lights and against a stunning city backdrop, Hilfiger displayed designs from his Fall 2016 collection – available online the minute they hit the runway – as well as his TommyXGigi collection, designed in collaboration with supermodel Gigi Hadid.
But there was a lot more than clothes to capture the attention. Just steps off the runway, tattoo artists were waiting. One could also visit a nail salon. There were arcade games, a 40-foot Ferris Wheel along with other fairground rides, and food – lobster rolls, hot dogs, mozzarella sticks, cotton candy.
Oh, and there was Taylor Swift. The singer was there to cheer on her good friend Hadid, and cheer she did, also singing and bopping to the music as models strutted, and grasping Hadid’s hand as she walked down the runway at the end with Hilfiger. Also on hand: Kris Jenner, just one of many Kardashian family members taking part in this Fashion Week.
In an interview earlier in the day, Hilfiger, who’s known for his lavishly staged productions every Fashion Week, explained that this one would be not only bigger, but different.