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American Dreamer: My Life in Fashion & Business
In this tale of grit and glamour, setbacks and comebacks, business and pop culture icon Tommy Hilfiger shares his extraordinary life story for the first time.
Few designers have stayed on top of changing trends the way Tommy Hilfiger has. Fewer still have left such an indelible mark on global culture. Since designing his first collection of “classics with a twist” three decades ago, Tommy Hilfiger has been synonymous with all-American style—but his destiny wasn’t always so clear. Growing up one of nine children in a working-class family in Elmira, New York, Tommy suffered from dyslexia, flunked sophomore year of high school, and found himself constantly at odds with his father. Nevertheless, this self-described dreamer had a vision and the relentless will to make it a reality. At eighteen he opened his own clothing store, parlaying his uncanny instinct for style into a budding career as a fashion designer. Through decades of triumph and turmoil, Tommy remained doggedly optimistic. To this day, his approach to commerce is rooted in his positive view of the world.
American Dreamer brims with anecdotes that cover Tommy’s years as a club kid and scrappy entrepreneur in 1970s New York as well as unique insights into the exclusive A-list personalities with whom he’s collaborated and interacted, from Mick Jagger and David Bowie to Ralph Lauren and Calvin Klein. But this is more than just a fashion icon’s memoir—it’s a road map for building a brand, both professionally and personally. Tommy takes us behind the scenes of every decision—and every mistake—he’s ever made, offering advice on leadership, business, team-building, and creativity.
This is the story of a true American original, told for the first time in his own words, with honesty, humor, and the insatiable appetite for life and style that proves that sometimes you have to dream big to make it big.
Few designers have stayed on top of changing trends the way Tommy Hilfiger has. Fewer still have left such an indelible mark on global culture. Since designing his first collection of “classics with a twist” three decades ago, Tommy Hilfiger has been synonymous with all-American style—but his destiny wasn’t always so clear. Growing up one of nine children in a working-class family in Elmira, New York, Tommy suffered from dyslexia, flunked sophomore year of high school, and found himself constantly at odds with his father. Nevertheless, this self-described dreamer had a vision and the relentless will to make it a reality. At eighteen he opened his own clothing store, parlaying his uncanny instinct for style into a budding career as a fashion designer. Through decades of triumph and turmoil, Tommy remained doggedly optimistic. To this day, his approach to commerce is rooted in his positive view of the world.
American Dreamer brims with anecdotes that cover Tommy’s years as a club kid and scrappy entrepreneur in 1970s New York as well as unique insights into the exclusive A-list personalities with whom he’s collaborated and interacted, from Mick Jagger and David Bowie to Ralph Lauren and Calvin Klein. But this is more than just a fashion icon’s memoir—it’s a road map for building a brand, both professionally and personally. Tommy takes us behind the scenes of every decision—and every mistake—he’s ever made, offering advice on leadership, business, team-building, and creativity.
This is the story of a true American original, told for the first time in his own words, with honesty, humor, and the insatiable appetite for life and style that proves that sometimes you have to dream big to make it big.
318 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 1, 2016
43 people are currently reading
378 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
February 4, 2017
Tommy Hilfiger is from my hometown and created my favorite clothing brand of all time - So naturally I couldn't wait to read this book. Thankfully, it didn't disappoint. Reading about his experiences growing up and opening his first store (where my mom shopped in high school) was relatable and fascinating. Though the book slowed down in the middle (the details of the fabrics and overseas clothing factories didn't hold my interest as much), I was intrigued to read about the evolution of the brand. It was an enjoyable read for sure. I learned so much about the personal life and journey of an American icon.
February 7, 2017
I used to work for Tommy so I couldn't wait to dig in. There are a few stories in the book that I witnessed, and his retelling is true, so I would assume the same for the others in the book. Reading this book gave me new insights into this gracious and inspiring man. He was always a pleasure to work for, treating his employees with respect and honestly looking for their opinions. His resilience and ambition make an inspiring story of a self-made man, who truly is an American dreamer.
June 25, 2020
This is a really enjoyable book. I love how this book introduce this company. I like read
December 25, 2021
Just goes to show if you have a big dream and the tenacity to never give up, anyone can accomplish big things. I may be biased being in the fashion designer field but I really liked reading this book on how Tommy Hilfigure became a major brand, his setbacks and his achievements. Nice of him to put it all out there.
August 14, 2023
As badly as I wanted this book to be good it has taken me five long, painstaking months to complete. Don’t get me wrong, Tommy’s background and the history of how the company got started were very interesting. However, for me, it just felt as if the book seemed to drag a bit until about halfway through. Therefore, I settled on a 3-star rating.
April 26, 2017
Fascinating history of Tommy Hilfiger and his signature brand. Excellent leadership lessons about entrepreneurship, merchandising, retailing, pursuing big dreams, and loving what you do. Valuable insights about integrating work and life, especially with children with special needs.
February 7, 2017
If you're into fashion or want to learn about retail clothing, manufacturing, and design this is the book for you. I read it because I was writing news and marketing content about Tommy coming to speak in the Town of Palm Beach.
September 7, 2022
One of the best fashion memoirs from
a fashion designer on how they started their brand. Especially helpfull for those also interested in the business side of a building a major brand.
a fashion designer on how they started their brand. Especially helpfull for those also interested in the business side of a building a major brand.
April 24, 2019
This is must-read for any fashion enthusiasts. I’m not interested in Tommy Hilfiger as a brand because it doesn’t speak to and for me. But I have respect for the man. He poured his heart out, joy and sorrow, success and failure. His descriptions of early ambition, maturing in and through New York City, his initial years dallying with success, resonate with me. However, his adamant attitude and “fanaticism” with the products are what I need to learn more from him. Many good pieces of advice and warnings are woven into narratives of his life, for anyone who wants to follow his footsteps into the competitive fashion industry. This book reinforces that creativity and genius alone do not make lasting success in the fashion industry. The designer is important but only an eye of the chain. Strong teamwork, risk-taking, a sense of adventure with new ideas (sort of recycling old ideas, making the classic fun and modern), learning about and understanding the customers, are all part of the formula for success. PEOPLE are the jewel. I can’t adequately explain how much serendipity played a role in Tommy Hilfiger’s career (for example, just think of his many core aides and assistants who seemed to enter his life at the right time, i.e. the ex-employees of prominent fashion houses such as Ralph Lauren and Calvin Klein. This is the part I’d expected to learn more about). Perhaps the best explanation for good luck is: preparation + opportunity + uncompromising work ethics. The brand has gone through a spectacular roller coaster - privately owned, going public, and then going private again. If you read the book for pure joy learning new things, you won’t be disappointed. For me, the parts about logo design, how many kinds of fabric and garment out there, how many steps and checklists just to get a shirt out of the design department into fashion outlets, and pricing strategies - they all blew my mind. I hope you may have similar experience, at least for the second reading or more.
August 19, 2019
An honest, straightforward, tale of grit and glamour, setbacks and comebacks, business and pop culture. Not only just a fashion icon’s memoir rather a road map for building a brand, both professionally and personally.
Tommy comes from small town, a large family, neglectful father, suffered from dyslexia, but he never lost hope and never let his poor grades or family pressure discourage him. He tasted success opening People Place store with his friends. He knew that working his way up to a famous brand name designer was bound to be difficult and he will have to face obstacles But he pursued his passion and did not settle for less than his dream.He was not satisfied until he found the perfect fit for him.
While chronicling the rises and falls of his various clothing endeavors Tommy candidly share his decisions and mistakes he made, offering advice on leadership, business, team-building, and creativity.
Tommy shares creativity and genius alone do not make lasting success. Formula for success are Strong teamwork, risk-taking, a sense of adventure with new ideas, learning about and understanding the customers.
"No one is an inventor in the fashion business. No one creates the pant, no one creates the shirt or the sweater or the jacket. Designers re-create fashion. We take something that exists and make it newer. It is the re-creators, the ones who do it really well, who are the moneymakers."
"If you have great product, consistent and cohesive marketing, the right positioning, the right people around you, the right locations, stores, and flow of product—if you have uniqueness—you have a shot at staying in and growing your busines.
Book motivates you to believe in your dreams and your own sense of purpose, and gives you the courage to pursue things that makes you feel deeply happy in life.
Tommy comes from small town, a large family, neglectful father, suffered from dyslexia, but he never lost hope and never let his poor grades or family pressure discourage him. He tasted success opening People Place store with his friends. He knew that working his way up to a famous brand name designer was bound to be difficult and he will have to face obstacles But he pursued his passion and did not settle for less than his dream.He was not satisfied until he found the perfect fit for him.
While chronicling the rises and falls of his various clothing endeavors Tommy candidly share his decisions and mistakes he made, offering advice on leadership, business, team-building, and creativity.
Tommy shares creativity and genius alone do not make lasting success. Formula for success are Strong teamwork, risk-taking, a sense of adventure with new ideas, learning about and understanding the customers.
"No one is an inventor in the fashion business. No one creates the pant, no one creates the shirt or the sweater or the jacket. Designers re-create fashion. We take something that exists and make it newer. It is the re-creators, the ones who do it really well, who are the moneymakers."
"If you have great product, consistent and cohesive marketing, the right positioning, the right people around you, the right locations, stores, and flow of product—if you have uniqueness—you have a shot at staying in and growing your busines.
Book motivates you to believe in your dreams and your own sense of purpose, and gives you the courage to pursue things that makes you feel deeply happy in life.
May 24, 2019
American Dreamer follows the journey of the iconic fashion designer Tommy Hilfiger as his brand grows to be one of the largest and most popular in the United States. Hilfiger is faced with countless obstacles that he must overcome in order to fulfill his long time dream. In his childhood, he does not let his poor grades or neglectful father discourage him. He finds success and happiness while opening an extremely successful store with his best friends. After his young mind is distracted by music and drugs and his store goes under, he uses it as opportunity to grow and mature. His youthful ambition follows him into later years where he continues to learn while going from job to job. Hilfiger was not satisfied until he found the perfect fit for him.
A fascinating aspect of the book is how the author really absorbs the reader into the setting and different time periods the book goes through. You can really imagine the excitement of being backstage at a concert, surround by hippies in bell bottoms. Or the overwhelming and noisy streets of an Indian market. By putting the reader in the same time and location as Hilfiger, the author allows the passion of the aspiring designer to seamlessly seep through the pages and into our hearts.
A recurring motif in the book is, again, the idea of overcoming obstacles. But what’s more is the idea of pursuing your passion while one is well aware they will have to face these obstacles. Hilfiger comes from a small town and a large family so working his way up to a famous brand name designer was bound to be difficult. He did not settle for less than his dream, even if it meant leaving a comfortable job.
It is obvious. This book was written to inspire.
A fascinating aspect of the book is how the author really absorbs the reader into the setting and different time periods the book goes through. You can really imagine the excitement of being backstage at a concert, surround by hippies in bell bottoms. Or the overwhelming and noisy streets of an Indian market. By putting the reader in the same time and location as Hilfiger, the author allows the passion of the aspiring designer to seamlessly seep through the pages and into our hearts.
A recurring motif in the book is, again, the idea of overcoming obstacles. But what’s more is the idea of pursuing your passion while one is well aware they will have to face these obstacles. Hilfiger comes from a small town and a large family so working his way up to a famous brand name designer was bound to be difficult. He did not settle for less than his dream, even if it meant leaving a comfortable job.
It is obvious. This book was written to inspire.
June 26, 2017
This biography is a great chronicle of Tommy Hilfiger's journey to become one of the most well-known names in the fashion industry. The tone is that of a down-to-earth and relatable friend. Tommy Hilfiger earnestly discusses his mistakes and the successes he's enjoyed by following his intuition and sense of what feels right for him. I learned valuable insights into the business side of the fashion world and appreciated the book's honest revelations of the behind-the-scene financial engineering operations, dealmaking and strategies that are vital to boosting the Tommy Hilfiger brand to the international level of recognition that it's enjoying. It's a very good read that motivates you to believe in your dreams and your own sense of purpose, and gives you the courage to pursue the thing makes you feel deeply happy in life.
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June 3, 2019Tommy Hilfiger’s memoir, American Dreamer, chronicles his life growing up as well as his journey to becoming a fashion designer with his own brand. Hilfiger lived on a tight budget with his parents and 8 siblings. Although he had a hard relationship with his father, Hilfiger was able to move forward from the unhealthy relationship and make quite a name and a life for himself. Hilfiger married and has 5 children of his own.
April 7, 2020
Can’t believe it took me so long to open and read this book. Not sure if it is because of the strong connection I have with the brand, but I adored this book and it just went high to my top 5, ever. It was a pleasure to work with Tommy Hilfiger’s brand for 4 years but, now more than ever, it’s incredible to understand Tommy’s visionary approach, struggles, dreams and love for design, pop culture, adversiting and American lifestyle. I’ll forever be a #TommyBoy ❤️
August 6, 2018
Świetna autobiografia, bardzo szczera i z detalami opisująca zawodowe i prywatne życie TH. Jako fan ciuchów tego człowieka z przyjemnością dowiedziałem się jak do tego doszedł, co nim kierowało, jakie ma wartości itd. Dowiedzialem się, że jest spoko gościem i naprawdę czuję się dobrze zasilajac mu od czasu do czasu konto bankowe.
May 8, 2018
Tommy Hilfiger gave me back the favorite ability I almost forgot: dreaming big!
[„...a küzdő szellem és az álmodozó lélek keveréke:] A középszerűség nem opció.”
4 stars for the book and 1 minus star for the grammar errors, faults of spelling and mistranslation in the Hungarian edition.
May 10, 2017
Not my gig. Recommended by someone on FB, ordered from library.
January 26, 2018
In American dreamer Tommy Hilfiger explains his life before and after the fame, his startegys, and work ethic.
August 23, 2021
A book about following your passion, trusting your instincts and building connections. 100% a positive read!
December 26, 2021
Ця автобіографія є трохи прісною. Факти, факти , і переказ історії, без родзинки . Але загалом про цю компанію читати цікаво, особливо тим хто цікавиться модою)
March 21, 2023
I have no background in fashion and no experience in the business. Never will. Yet, I loved this memoir. Super duper engaging.
January 16, 2019
I randomly selected this book to listen to on Audible. It is an interesting tale of a fashion mogul who started selling hippie clothes and then never stopped being the symbol of energetic freedom in fashion.
I appreciate that he admits he did not fare well in the U.S. school system, despite his parents pushing him into academics. I am glad that he found what works for him - business - and he found it at a young age. He already had a store by the time he graduated high school. His family still thought that his successful business was a fluke and demanded that he enroll into a post-secondary institution. His entrepreneurial and fashion acumen was already in bloom, there was no holding him back after that taste of successful business.
The narrator, Kevin Free, was pleasant to the ears.
I'm really glad that I tripped over this book.
I appreciate that he admits he did not fare well in the U.S. school system, despite his parents pushing him into academics. I am glad that he found what works for him - business - and he found it at a young age. He already had a store by the time he graduated high school. His family still thought that his successful business was a fluke and demanded that he enroll into a post-secondary institution. His entrepreneurial and fashion acumen was already in bloom, there was no holding him back after that taste of successful business.
The narrator, Kevin Free, was pleasant to the ears.
I'm really glad that I tripped over this book.
January 7, 2017
I bought my first pair of bell bottom pants from this man when he was still a boy! A wonderful American success story. The Hilfiger family of Elmira, New York, are a big chunk of my life. Most especially Tommy, Billy & Andy.
Billy and I were crosstown "rivals" with our bands, starting in the 60s. Billy was a great friend and I miss him dearly. We would show up at each other's gig in the 60s, Billy always invited me to come up and play his guitar, so I always returned the favor.
Then I met Tommy when People's Place first opened in the basement below the Bootery. Tommy was so into what he was doing and made People's Place the first shopping experience of its kind in this town. I left Elmira before he did and I was living in California when I first saw the Hilfiger name being advertised. I felt proud to know Tommy then and for his success, and I am proud to know him today. A wonderful and inspirational life.
Billy and I were crosstown "rivals" with our bands, starting in the 60s. Billy was a great friend and I miss him dearly. We would show up at each other's gig in the 60s, Billy always invited me to come up and play his guitar, so I always returned the favor.
Then I met Tommy when People's Place first opened in the basement below the Bootery. Tommy was so into what he was doing and made People's Place the first shopping experience of its kind in this town. I left Elmira before he did and I was living in California when I first saw the Hilfiger name being advertised. I felt proud to know Tommy then and for his success, and I am proud to know him today. A wonderful and inspirational life.
December 3, 2016
Brought back fond memories of my original home town, Elmira, NY and attending Hoffman Elementary School with the Hilfiger kids (I was a classmate of sister Betsy). Remember Tommy as a little mischief-maker when my Mom drove him and us other little Catholics to catechism lessons. This is a detailed and informative memoir of Tommy's remarkable journey and life story. The style of his personal narrative lends to the sense he's talking directly to you. Recommend this memoir to anyone pursuing a creative career as Tommy's willingness to also share his career setbacks reveals that's often where the most valuable lessons are.
April 11, 2021
I really enjoyed this book. Hilfiger took the road less travelled and followed his dreams. He said a few times his work is fun. He is unapologetically a showy guy who likes the luxe life. He really went into both his work and personal life. A great read for anyone interested in business, fashion, or just a fan of autobiographies.
November 16, 2025
It was interesting to read about the story behind the brand
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews