Tommy x Zendaya | One Night Only At The Apollo : Radar

Tommy x Zendaya “One Night Only At The Apollo” Celebrates The Beauty of Diversity

One Night Only … a moment in time and a sense that we are seeing and experiencing something truly unique in a truly special place. This was the vibe at the TommyxZendaya Spring 2020 show during this past New York Fashion Week. In the middle of Harlem, at the iconic Apollo Theater, models of all shapes, sizes, and colors strutted down the street-turned runway. Meanwhile, the live band blasted classics like Aretha Franklin’s “Respect” and Curtis Mayfield’s “Move On Up,” making us all feel that we were witnessing history.

Tommy x Zendaya Spring 2019 Trends

TommyxZendaya debut Spring 2020 collection was inspired by menswear icons of the 70s like Shaft and Marvin Gaye. Every piece of the “See Now, Buy Now” collection evoked a classic disco sentiment with a touch of elegant funk. The snakeskin-print power suits, leather bell bottoms, scarf blouses, and page boy hats felt like pieces of fashion history turned must-have items for that tricky winter to spring transition.

Hilfiger and Zendaya Set The Correct Example

The One Night Only experience at the Apollo felt like a Brooklyn block party straight out of 1975 and Tommy Hilfiger would not have had it any other way. Showing at the Apollo was especially meaningful to him as a music lover that has spent over three decades building relationships with musicians of color. From supporting rappers in the 90s to consistently and prominently featuring models of color in his print ads, Hilfiger has managed to avoid the cultural appropriation traps many of his fellow designers fall into.

“It’s exciting to be showing here [at the Apollo] because it’s one of the [most] important theatres in the world and I’m proud to stand behind what it represents. I feel that we’ve always been a brand that celebrates diversity and inclusion and that was heightened in the 90s, thanks to hip-hop artists. I’m proud to have been one of the first ones to have worked with them, because back then people didn’t quite get it.” – Tommy Hilfiger

Hope for Change In The Fashion Industry

Well, people are finally getting it now. Fashion is an industry that thrives on exclusivity. Championing diversity is not something that comes easily to those within the industry. This is why it is so refreshing to witness Hilfiger’s commitment to diversity, most noticeably reflected in the crowd and the models at the TommyxZendaya show.

“A lot of the women modelling tonight have not had as much opportunity as they should have had, and we’re happy to give them the opportunity. It’s a very diverse cast and I love the heart of that type of empowerment.” – Tommy Hilfiger

Also, Tommy partnering with a multihyphenate, Gen Z powerhouse like Zendaya, represents a new direction within the industry. Brands are finally acknowledging the new guards of fashion and entertainment, all of whom insist on diversity and inclusion.

Partnering with a young woman of color like Zendaya and hosting a fashion show at Apollo, hallowed ground for the African American community, is a step forward in attempting to bridge the more privileged spaces of fashion that the Tommy Hilfiger brand represents with a community that’s historically marginalized from it.

This is a bridge I hope that the fashion industry continues to keep building … and not just for one night only.

Watch the entire show

Shop the entire Tommy x Zendaya Fall 2019 collection here. And our favorite pieces below: