Today, we interviewed Ginny Hilfinger. She is is an acknowledged creative director, fashion entrepreneur, and brand architect with over twenty years of experience in developing, expanding, and rejuvenating fashion and lifestyle brands in international markets.
What originally drew you to the fashion industry?
I was drawn to the fashion industry at a very young age. My oldest brother, Tommy, owned a clothing store called People’s Place, and all of my brothers and sisters worked there. I started helping out when I was about seven years old, folding jeans and arranging clothes on the floor.
When I was in middle school, Tommy had moved to New York City to start designing clothing. He invited me to come during the summers, and that’s when I really began learning about the fashion business firsthand.
Later, when I started design school at FIT, I worked at Tommy Hilfiger every day after classes and during school breaks. Being able to combine my education with real-world experience so early on gave me a deep understanding of both the creative and business sides of fashion.
What is one shift or challenge shaping the fashion industry right now that leaders should pay attention to?
Technology is transforming every part of the fashion industry — from AI-assisted design to how brands connect with consumers. But the real challenge is balance. Leaders need to adopt new technologies to stay competitive, while still protecting their creativity, craftsmanship, and brand identity that truly differentiate great brands
Where do you see the most interesting opportunities for technology or AI in fashion?
One of the biggest opportunities for AI in fashion is personalization. As AI becomes more sophisticated, it can begin to understand an individual’s personal style and help curate products for them, saving consumers time and making the shopping experience much more intuitive.
For brands, especially direct-to-consumer brands that rely heavily on digital marketing, AI can also help create campaigns and content more efficiently without the need for as many costly photoshoots. That said, I believe there still needs to be a balance. Technology can enhance the process, but creativity, storytelling, and real imagery remain incredibly important for building an authentic brand.
What advice would you give to founders building fashion or fashion-tech companies today?
My advice would be to really research the brand before pitching—understand what they already have and where the gaps might be. Then tailor your presentation to their specific brand identity, and whenever possible create a demonstration so they can experience the idea firsthand. It’s much more powerful than just showing slides.
Ginny, one quote that inspire you.
Treat others the way you would like to be treated – by my mom and dad Richard and Virginia Hilfiger
