By LISA MARIE MEYER
In the spring of 1997, Tommy Hilfiger models were described as wearing bright colors -- sorbet hues and citrus shades as they walked down the runway. Although considered a major fashion trend, you won't be seeing these styles anytime soon in local stores.
According to ZCMI's Tommy representative, Marian Brawner, the Utah County area is too conservative to get into the new Tommy line, which also consists of skinny pants and rainbow-dyed denims. Along with more conservative buyers comes expectations of lower prices, and customers haven't been willing to spend the money for the name brand.
'Tommy does much better in Salt Lake City than in Utah County,' Brawner said. She said that there's a marked difference between the two areas.
Nationwide Tommy has been gaining popularity at a fast rate. Brawner suspects that in a few years the Tommy name will be a lot bigger. On the West and East Coasts, Tommy is a major fashion trend. Within a few years the rest of the nation should catch on, she said.
Jared Church, a high school student from Spokane, Wash., is aware of the popularity in his area, yet he doesn't buy the brand.
'Although it's really popular, it's just too expensive,' he said.
Grant Madsen, senior from West Valley City, majoring in public relations, feels Tommy is a good quality product. He likes the clothing for its bright colors and style.
'Tommy's clothing stands up to repeated washings and retains its color,' Madsen said. Although he likes the brand, he usually waits for a sale to buy anything.
Why the expense? Brawner feels it's because people should expect to pay for quality and a name brand.
'He puts his name on everything, and it's a good, quality product,' she said.
Hilfiger's clothing reflects his values. Besides the name, he also puts his family Bavarian crest on his fashion line. The first button holes on his shirts are green, which stands for the great depression and work ethic. The triangle on the back of the shirt also represents three points of his life that mean a lot to him, Brawner said.
A rags-to-riches story illustrates Tommy Hilfiger's life. At 17 years old his career began when he used his life savings of $150 to buy 20 pairs of bell-bottom jeans to sell to his classmates. He continued this business, saved his profits, and opened his own clothing store at age 18.
Today Hilfiger's fashion empire is worth more than $400 million, and he is considered one of the hottest designers in the world.
According to a news release, Hilfiger said, 'I take tailored clothing and sportswear, the foundations of our collection, and put them in a blender to create something new and exciting. It gives us the opportunity to have a broad appeal -- to dress both the classic and fashion consumer.'