Top 67 Quotes & Sayings by Tommy Hilfiger

You want to look fashionable and put-together, not like you hit every sale rack this season.

I think it is really important to have a sense of business. As a designer you can get so wrapped up in the design and fashion side that you forget the business side.

In designing a lifestyle brand, you have to know more than just designing clothes.

We like to believe our fashion is growing.

My mother was kind and forgiving and would take in all the waifs and strays in our neighbourhood; we always compared her to Mother Teresa. She taught me a lot.

Algebra looked like Chinese characters to me, and I could never get into reading Shakespeare. I just did not get it.

One of the most important things to me is to make things real, not have models who are perfectly groomed or clothes that are too perfect. It all has to have a twist because that's how people live.

I was looking at people like Jim Morrison and David Bowie and Mick Jagger and I thought, Ah! I want to look like them.

It was difficult for me because I was searching for the answer for so long, and the answer was right in front of me. Do what I do best.

My mother inspired me to treat others as I would want to be treated regardless of age, race or financial status.

I looked at my competitors and I thought that, If they could do it, I could do it. And if, they are popular and doing well, I could compete with them.

I knew exactly what I wanted to do. I wanted to build some kind of lifestyle brand that was preppy and cool.

The preppy lifestyle has gone global. We feel that our business has grown so well because preppy travels so well. It's all-American classic.

I thought, if I went into business I'd be able to control my own destiny.

I had eight brothers and sisters. Every Christmas my younger brother Bobby would wake up extra early and open everybody's presents - everybody's - so by the time the rest of us got up, all the gifts were shredded, ribbons off, torn open and thrown aside.

I currently live in the Plaza in New York and I love it - all that history, all those interesting stories.

We are going back to our roots by cultivating new unsigned talent who otherwise might go unnoticed.

I disapprove of lots of decisions made by George Bush: the war, the meddling in the affairs of other countries, the conversations with dictators; it was a dark time.

Over the last 15 years we've developed our brand into a global brand and we wanted our giving to follow suit.

But I think, if you're in the spotlight, people are going to say bad things, and that's just the way it is.

I'm a designer of more than clothes. I am a designer of a very creative concept.

Our look and image never change dramatically from one season to the next, so we need an edge.

I think it's dangerous to think that you're successful, because then you become complacent.

'The Cut' is going to give someone the opportunity of a lifetime and help that person achieve his or her dreams.

If I see someone wearing Hilfiger it makes me proud, but then I wonder what I could do to make the style more relevant for them next year?

We had incense and rock'n'roll posters, and we sold records and rolling papers. People could just, like, hang out. We had a cool vibe going.

I had no confidence at school. I was not a good student and I really thought I was pretty stupid. Just dumb.

The road to success is not easy to navigate, but with hard work, drive and passion, it's possible to achieve the American dream.

My passion for music has always inspired my designs.

We are really living the American dream, to be a successful brand in the States and in Europe and to steep ourselves in our heritage. But we do it with a sense of humor. We don't take ourselves too seriously in fashion.

I looked at the rap community like street kids wanting their own brand. But now I look at that period with the rappers in the 90s as a trend of the moment. What it taught me was never to follow a trend, because trends move on.

I've never tried to do couture, because it's a whole different beast.

Other than a couple of moments in time, I always thought that, some way, I'm going to make it. I'm just going to make it. And I'm not going to give up. And I'm going to realize that dream. So, I never gave up. And I have realized the dream, and I enjoy every moment of every day.

If it weren't for rock'n'roll, I wouldn't be a designer

American style is about confidence, independence, diversity and free expression.

No one is an inventor in the fashion business. Designers recreate fashion.

I saw my future. I pictured it, but didn't quite know how to get there. But I knew that I should never give up.

I think preppy stands for optimism, confidence, energy and authenticity.

I always say if I weren't a fashion designer, my other dream job is being a rock star!

Good sportsmanship goes beyond the game; it starts with respect.

Consumers around the world always want something unexpected and exciting, and that's what drives me. I love the challenge of reinterpreting my designs in new ways each season to keep the "prep look" modern and fresh.

New York Fashion Week comes only twice a year, make it count

My rule of thumb is to strike a balance by sticking to the classics and playing with color, texture, and print to give them a modern update. On any given day, I keep it simple with jeans or chinos and a comfortable dress shirt.

When travelling, dress as comfortably as possible and don't have expectations of everything going perfectly.

These are optimistic pieces, travel pieces that go anywhere

I looked at my competitors and I thought that, "If they could do it, I could do it. And if, they are popular and doing well, I could compete with them."

Winning a trophy is always nice, but my personal satisfaction comes from reflecting on the passion, motivation, and determination that went into getting me there.

Fashion is about affordable luxury ... To succeed, designers need to be affordable, wearable, accessible, and aspirational.

A classic, navy blue blazer is my staple. It's a look that can take you from office meetings to dinner out with friends or family.

I don't think generally speaking, there are a lot of innovators and inventors. Many of the designers take what exists already and update it or make it relevant for today. But true inventors have never been seen before. Bill Gates is a real inventor. I don't think fashion designers invent anything new. They innovate new ways to make fashion.

There are many more important things in life than fashion. But fashion, to me, is part of pop culture. And I'm an art collector. I'm obsessed with art and pop culture. And I say that there is fame, fashion, art, music and entertainment, including celebrity, that really moves the needle in society.

The preppy look has gone global- every corner of the world interprets it in a different way.

The Memorial Dedication was a momentous occasion

Good sportsmanship means treating others with respect. I consider myself a pretty good sport.

The possibilities are endless, so never be discouraged by a setback, no matter how big.

Victory is about recognizing all the work that went into achieving your dream.

Always stay focused. Always give and try your best.

I try not to have regrets and to learn from every experience.

Trying too hard to follow every trend. You want to look fashionable and put-together, not like you hit every sale rack this season.

Off the court, I tend to stick to the classics, but I like to have fun with color and accessories. I'm from Spain, so colors are important for me.