The $280,100 Venue: Inside Tommy Hilfiger's Star-Studded Fashion Show Aboard The Decommissioned Staten Island Ferry

The spectacle of New York Fashion Week (NYFW) consistently pushes the boundaries of venue and theme, but few shows have captured the city's imagination quite like Tommy Hilfiger's latest event. As of December 10, 2025, the fashion world is still buzzing about the designer’s bold choice for his Spring/Summer 2025 collection: a decommissioned Staten Island Ferry boat, the MV John F. Kennedy, docked at Pier 17 in the South Street Seaport.

This massive, floating New York City landmark—famously purchased by comedians Colin Jost and Pete Davidson—was transformed into a star-studded, nautical-themed runway, perfectly encapsulating Hilfiger’s signature American cool aesthetic with a fresh, maritime twist. The event was a masterclass in "fashion-tainment," blending pop culture, iconic New York history, and elevated modern prep.

The Architect of American Cool: Tommy Hilfiger Biography & Brand Legacy

Thomas Jacob Hilfiger is one of the most recognizable names in global fashion, a pioneer who defined the "classic American cool" style. His brand is synonymous with preppy aesthetics infused with a youthful, pop culture edge.

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• Full Name: Thomas Jacob Hilfiger
• Born: March 24, 1951, in Elmira, New York, United States
• Career Start: Began his retail career in 1969 with a small chain of stores called People’s Place.
• Brand Founding: Launched the eponymous Tommy Hilfiger Corporation in 1985.
• Signature Style: Fuses classic American silhouettes with a modern, preppy, and often nautical-inspired twist.
• Global Reach: The brand is a major player in the global retail landscape, operating under PVH Corp.
• Key Collaborations: Known for working with pop culture icons, including Snoop Dogg, Aaliyah, and Zendaya, cementing the brand's connection to music and entertainment.

The MV John F. Kennedy: From Public Transit to Private Runway

The choice of venue was the single most talked-about element of the Tommy Hilfiger Spring/Summer 2025 show. It wasn't just any boat; it was the MV John F. Kennedy, a retired Kennedy-class ferry that had served as a vital link between Staten Island and Manhattan for decades.

The Ferry’s Star-Powered Rescue

The MV John F. Kennedy was decommissioned and put up for auction by New York City in 2022. It was purchased for a final price of $280,100 by an unlikely trio of investors: Colin Jost, Pete Davidson, and comedy club owner Paul Italia. The comedians, both Staten Island natives, had ambitious plans to convert the massive vessel into an entertainment venue, though Jost later admitted the purchase was a "surreal" and perhaps misguided idea.

For one night during New York Fashion Week 2024, the ferry’s potential was finally realized. Docked at the bustling Pier 17 in the South Street Seaport, the boat was temporarily transformed into a luxury event space, complete with lighting, sound, and a custom runway. Guests were seated on the ferry's original brown-wood benches, adding an authentic, historical New York touch to the high-fashion event.

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This fusion of high-end fashion and gritty, iconic New York infrastructure perfectly embodied Hilfiger's brand identity, celebrating the city's landmarks and bridging the gap between luxury and pop culture. The ferry itself became a central character, a powerful backdrop of maritime history for the new collection.

SS25 Collection: Nautical Prep with a Modern Twist

The Spring/Summer 2025 collection, unveiled on Sunday, September 8, 2024, was a direct and vibrant tribute to the nautical lifestyle, one of the designer's long-standing fascinations. Hilfiger described the collection as "a celebration of my love for nautical lifestyle, energised with bold maritime codes."

The core of the collection was an elevated, modern take on classic prep. It featured a rich palette dominated by the brand's signature colors: red, white, and blue.

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Key Themes and Pieces

The collection successfully blended relaxed, confident styles with tailored elegance, moving beyond simple stripes and anchors to create a sophisticated, sea-faring wardrobe.

• Maritime Codes: Bold graphic prints, rope details, and crisp, tailored silhouettes dominated the runway.
• Elevated Prep: Traditional prep pieces like polo shirts, trench coats, and chinos were reimagined with modern proportions and luxury fabrics.
• The Sailing Collection: A specific focus was placed on the Hilfiger Sailing Collection, which paid a direct tribute to the brand's deep-rooted connection to the sea, a theme the designer has explored since his 2010 maritime campaign.
• Key Items: Silk-blend check trench coats, wide-leg trousers, and crisp shirt dresses were among the standout pieces, all designed to feel both timeless and contemporary.

This Spring 2025 line cemented Hilfiger's ability to evolve the prep aesthetic, showing that nautical vibes can be both relaxed and luxurious, making it a highly anticipated collection for the upcoming season.

The Star-Studded Guest List and The Future of the Ferry

No major Tommy Hilfiger event is complete without a high-profile guest list, and the MV John F. Kennedy show was no exception. The unique venue drew a diverse mix of actors, musicians, and fashion insiders, further highlighting the brand's appeal across different worlds.

Celebrities Aboard the MV JFK

The guest list was a testament to Hilfiger's enduring relevance in pop culture, featuring both established icons and new-generation stars.

• Owner on Board: Colin Jost was present, witnessing his unconventional investment become the hottest venue in New York for a night.
• Hollywood & Fashion Icons: Actress Brooke Shields and model Winnie Harlow were among the notable attendees.
• Music & Global Stars: K-Pop fans were thrilled by the attendance of Felix and Lee Know from the globally successful group Stray Kids.
• Rising Talent: Other guests included actor Damson Idris and model Stella Jones.

The show was a perfect example of "fashion-tainment," a concept Hilfiger champions, where the event itself is as memorable as the clothing. The dramatic, historical backdrop of the Staten Island Ferry combined with the star power and the vibrant, red, white, and blue collection created a truly unforgettable moment for NYFW.

What Happens Next?

The success of the fashion show has only intensified the curiosity surrounding the ferry's future. While the MV John F. Kennedy was pristine for the event, its long-term conversion into an entertainment complex is a massive and complex undertaking. The show proved the vessel's potential as a unique, large-scale venue, but the challenges of renovation and docking remain. For now, the ferry rests as a unique piece of New York City history and, briefly, as the most iconic runway in recent fashion memory, forever linking the names Staten Island Ferry and Tommy Hilfiger in fashion folklore.