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Hilfiger Family And Elmira College Work Together To Inspire New Generations

Elmira, NY (10/22/2021) — Elmira College representatives and Hilfiger family members were on hand Friday, Oct. 22 to introduce the Tommy Hilfiger Gallery, which honors the Hilfiger family's connection and pride in their hometown of Elmira, New York. Located in Hamilton Hall, this historic campus building will also become the future site of faculty offices and classrooms for the Tommy Hilfiger Fashion Business School, first announced in April.

"Elmira College and I have a shared vision where a new generation of fashion professionals can take inspiration from the entrepreneurial spirit of my family while learning about the business of fashion," said Tommy Hilfiger. "Our goal is to create a pipeline of talent to an essential and growing industry."

On display in the Gallery are select memorabilia and fashion items, special awards, rock and roll artifacts, special photos and pieces from the family's history.

Elmira College was important to Tommy as he began his career. He started by selling bellbottom jeans to the Elmira College students and later employed many of them in his first shop, People's Place, located in downtown Elmira. Hamilton Hall was chosen as the location of the Gallery and School because of Tommy's fond childhood memories of the building.

"We are honored to partner with the Hilfiger family for the Tommy Hilfiger Fashion Business School and the Tommy Hilfiger Gallery," said Charles Lindsay, president, Elmira College. "The partnership truly speaks to a blending of the liberal arts and professional programs that Elmira College is known for. The Gallery, and the fashion business program, offer students an opportunity to explore self-expression, gain a broad view of the world, and begin their own fashion industry careers."

The Tommy Hilfiger Fashion Business School offers students either a concentration or minor in Fashion Marketing or Fashion Merchandising along with a bachelor's degree in Business Administration.

"This is a unique program and students are excited to learn it can be completed in three years," said Alison Wolfe, business and economics chair and director of the Tommy Hilfiger Fashion Business School, Elmira College. "The program includes a strategically designed curriculum and hands-on, out-of-the-classroom experiences. It creates a place where students learn about, not only the daily operations of the fashion industry, but also the history, the people, and the deep connections it has to other industries."

The Fall 2021 Term marks the first term the Fashion Marketing and Fashion Merchandising concentration and minor were available to students, and faculty are currently working with a number of students to add the concentration or minor to their degree program. Beginning Fall 2022, students may participate in a three-year accelerated program, allowing them to graduate with their bachelor's degree and a Fashion Marketing or Fashion Merchandising concentration in just three years. This option gives students the opportunity to do extended internships, study abroad through the College's partnership with Regents University London, or transition into a graduate program.

Meanwhile, the Tommy Hilfiger Gallery will open to the public in January. Tommy's sister, Betsy Hilfiger, is curator of the Gallery and she will give free tours two days a week by appointment. Details about how to set up an appointment will be provided closer to the Gallery opening.

"Our family is so excited to contribute items to the Tommy Hilfiger Gallery from their own business pursuits," said Betsy Hilfiger. "Once we open in January, I can invite area schools to come for hands-on presentations so that even younger generations can grow up learning about our family's history and the career avenues they might explore by attending the Tommy Hilfiger Fashion Business School."

About Elmira College

Founded in 1855, Elmira College is a private, residential, liberal arts college offering 25-plus majors, an honors program, 17 academic societies, and 18 Division III varsity teams. Located in the Southern Finger Lakes Region of New York, Elmira's undergraduate and graduate student population hails from more than 20 states and nine countries. Elmira is a Phi Beta Kappa College and has been ranked a top college, nationally, for student internships. The College is also home to the Center for Mark Twain Studies, one of four historically significant Twain heritage sites in the U.S., which attracts Twain scholars and educators from around the world for research on the famous literary icon. Proud of its history and tradition, the College is committed to the ideals of community service, and intellectual and individual growth.

Media Attachments

Located in Hamilton Hall, the Gallery includes select memorabilia and fashion items, special awards, rock and roll artifacts, special photos and pieces from the family's history.

Elmira College representatives and students posed with members of the Hilfiger family.

Elmira College athletic teams welcomed Tommy Hilfiger as he arrived at Hamilton Hall to introduce the Tommy Hilfiger Gallery. He signed uniforms, basketballs and other sports equipment for the teams.

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