AMSTERDAM, Netherlands and NEW YORK, May 23 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Tommy Hilfiger Corporation today announced the appointment of its new worldwide leadership team, following the sale of the Company to funds advised by Apax Partners earlier this month. Fred Gehring, Chief Executive Officer, commented, "One of our first priorities has been to assess our worldwide organization so that we are best positioned to execute on our plans of elevating the Tommy Hilfiger brand in the U.S. and capitalizing on the premium positioning that we have built globally. There is tremendous talent, experience and creativity within our Company, and our new structure will enable us to leverage this expertise and manage our business more strategically and efficiently as well as in a more globally harmonized manner." Overall, the Company will consist of four independently managed business units (USA, Canada, Europe and the Far East Buying Offices) directed and controlled by a small corporate management team consisting of Mr. Gehring, Ludo Onnink, Chief Operating Officer, and Joe Scirocco, who is continuing as the Company's Chief Financial Officer, and supported by three Executive Vice Presidents. Avery Baker, previously from TH USA but during the last three years based in Europe, will serve as the EVP-Global Communications; Michael Arts, also an executive from TH Europe, will serve as the EVP-Global Brand Management in which role he will work closely with Tommy Hilfiger; and Anne Marino, who recently joined the Company from Donna Karan, will serve as EVP-Global Licensing. On an operating level Mr. Gehring will retain the CEO responsibilities for the Tommy Hilfiger Europe division and assume the same responsibilities for Tommy Hilfiger U.S.A. Within the U.S., Allan Zwerner will continue to serve as President of U.S. Wholesale and President of the Menswear business. Leslie Singer, formerly President of Juniors', has been appointed as President of the Womenswear business, which will now include both women's and juniors'. Gary Sheinbaum will continue to serve as President of the U.S. retail business. Anne Marino will serve as President of U.S. Licensing, and Joe Scirocco will serve as Chief Operating Officer of Tommy Hilfiger U.S.A., in addition to his role as Group CFO. In Europe, Daniel Grieder, previously SVP of Commercial Operations, will assume the role of Chief Operating Officer with oversight of wholesale and licensing activities, while Mr. Onnink will retain his responsibilities as CFO additionally overseeing all European retail operations and development. In Canada, Howard Starr, CEO and President, will continue to oversee the business which has consistently performed above expectation for many years. The Karl Lagerfeld business will continue to be managed by Anne Acierno. Tommy Hilfiger Corporation, through its subsidiaries, designs, sources and markets men's and women's sportswear, jeanswear and childrenswear. The Company's brands include Tommy Hilfiger and Karl Lagerfeld. Through a range of strategic licensing agreements, the Company also offers a broad array of related apparel, accessories, footwear, fragrance, and home furnishings. The Company's products can be found in leading department and specialty stores throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, Mexico, Central and South America, Japan, Hong Kong, Australia and other countries in the Far East, as well as the Company's own network of outlet and specialty stores in the United States, Canada and Europe. Contact: Ruth Pachman / Wendi Kopsick Kekst and Company (212)521-4891/4867 Avery Baker Tommy Hilfiger Corp. (212)549-6035 DATASOURCE: Tommy Hilfiger Corporation CONTACT: Ruth Pachman, +1-212-521-4891, or Wendi Kopsick, +1-212-521-4867, both of Kekst and Company; or Avery Baker of Tommy Hilfiger Corp., +1-212-549-6035

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