Tommy Hilfiger has strict guidelines for how items should be displayed in their stores. The author interned at Tommy Hilfiger USA, where their responsibilities included setting up mannequins and window displays according to these guidelines. For example, button-down shirts must have popped collars and rolled sleeves, pants must be sized and color-coordinated with the top pants unbuttoned, and folded polo shirts must have flags facing out in balanced stacks of no more than 5 shirts. The author gained experience in visual merchandising through this internship.

1. TOMMY HILFIGER INTERNSHIPBY: CATHERINE CONKLINcconklin@mail.uri.edu

2. A Little Bit About…The following photos are a compilation of the displays that I worked on while interning at Tommy Hilfiger USA in New York City.I worked as an assistant sales coordinator which entitled working on mannequins, window displays, weekly numbers, and the store layout. Everything was constantly changing, (deliveries of clothes, full priced items, sale priced items, etc.) and the direction of where things would and could go changed weekly, if not daily. Having the opportunity to do this gave me the realization of my interest in visual merchandisingI was able to work more hands on, use my creativity and input as well as put my organizational skills to the test!

3. Favorite Things: Button DownsWhen putting the displays out, Tommy Hilfiger has certain little corks that make them, them. When putting out a display of button down polo's, all of the collars must be popped and the sleeves must be rolled up a certain way.

4. PantsWhen displaying pants, they must be sized accordingly, (smallest-largest) color coordinated, and the top pant must be un-buttoned to show the Ithaca stripe lining and pocket.

5. Folded Polo’sWhen putting out polo's that are pinned together and folded up, all of the Tommy Hilfiger flags must be facing out, and the bottom polo must be opposite of the rest so the pile can be balanced. Also, there is to be no more than 5 polo shirts in a stack.

6. IntimatesTommy Hilfiger recently launched their intimates line back in 2008 and this was the grand opening of their area in the Macy’s department store on 37th & 7th Ave.

7. Favorite Things: Polo’sIn the Tommy Hilfiger store, they have a “favorite things” section which includes all essential items that Tommy himself thinks that every guy (or girl) should have. Such as, the button down polo’s featured in this picture.

8. ShortsShorts must also be hung and folded a certain way on the displays as well as color coordinated. For example, you do not want to put all the flannels near each other, or all of the solid colors near each other.

9. Fall 2008This particular display was part of the Fall 2008 Tommy collection. It was the newest addition to the store so it was in the front. Individuals that work in the show room and the visual team at the TH headquarters specifically layout how the clothing should look.

10. Fall 2008 continuedThis here is another picture of the Fall 2008 display. Even though I was working there in the summer months, these items came out towards the end of July, and beginning of August.