Tommy hilfiger biography racism articles

Tommy Hilfiger launched his namesake fashion empire nearly 30 years ago, and he shows no signs of slowing down.

In an interview conducted by Fern Mallis at the 92nd Street Y in New York on Thursday, the 60-year-old designer opened up about his brand's staying power (he founded the Tommy Hilfiger corporation in 1984), his early years and what it was like meeting Beyonce.

Hilfiger's empire nets nearly $5 billion in worldwide retail sales -- and he and his wife Dee Ocleppo, who's also a fashion designer, are still living a life of luxury (just check out their swanky Manhattan apartment.)

The designer, who is also the brand new "image advisor" for "American Idol," addresses some race-related controversies he faced in the past:

"We had heard that I was supposedly on "Oprah," and I had told her that if I had known black people were going to buy my clothes, I wouldn't have been a designer.

I had never been on "Oprah," and I had never said that. And I would never believe that