HILFIGER LINE MEANS THRONGATE EXPANSION

Not many people would connect noted clothing designer Tommy Hilfiger of New York with a boost in the economy of Cape Girardeau.

"It could happen," said Gordon Cohen, an executive with Hartmarx, based in Chicago.

It's already happening, points out Ron Dirnberger, plant manager of Thorngate Ltd. in Cape Girardeau.

Hilfiger and Cohen were in Cape Girardeau Friday to announced an agreement between Tommy Hilfiger U.S.A. Inc. and Hartmarx for the manufacture of Hilfiger's popular clothing lines.

"All suits and sports jackets in the Hilfiger line will be made at the Thorngate manufacturing plant in Cape Girardeau," said Cohen. "This will result in additional workers and eventually could result in an expansion of the facility here."

Also in attendance at the press gathering Friday were Frank Adams, general manager of Thorngate Ltd., and Scott LeGrand, sales coordinator of the local facility.

Thorngate, 1507 Independence St., is a 135,000-square-foot manufacturing facility following a 1987 expansion which included a 60,000-square-foot, computerized addition to the plant, which has for many years produced fashion men's wear. The local plant employs about 600.

"We've added between 35 and 40 new workers since the Hilfiger agreement," said Dirnbernger. "You'll also be seeing ads in the near future for additional employees."

Hilfiger, who toured the plant with Joel Horowitz, CEO of Tommy Hilfiger U.S.A., and Cohen, was impressed with the local Thorngate plant.

"We're proud to join Hartmarx in this venture," he said. "We offer the American public comfortable, affordable, designer clothing and Thorngate here offers us state-of-the-art equipment to produce this clothing."

Many designers want their clothing to be imported, noted Hilfiger, who said he wants his "tailored clothing" line produced in the United States.

"Hartmarx has the facilities to make this a world-class line of designer clothes," said Hilfiger. "American designers feel the American garment industry is stable and that the menswear business is very strong."

Cohen agrees.

"We're proud of this agreement with Hilfiger," said Cohen. "We consider him the hottest designer in the U.S. As the Hilfiger line grows, so will Hartmarx plants, and the Thorngate facility here."

Hartmarx operates 40 plants in the United States. "Some of the Hilfiger clothes will be produced in other plants," said Cohen.

The new Hilfiger line includes everything for the male.

"We have a complete package," said Hilfiger. "That includes casual wear, suits, shirts, ties, socks, underwear -- everything."

Hilfiger designs are found throughout the nation.

"We're in more than 500 outlets," said Horowitz. "Our men's and boy's lines can be found in Famous Barr, Macy's, Dillards, Bloomingdale's, Federated, Dayton Hudson, Burdine's and others."

In Cape Girardeau, the Hilfiger men's clothing can be found at Famous Barr in West Park Mall, and the children's line is available at Children's Bazaar and Boys' Corner.

In addition, Tommy Hilfiger U.S.A., which recently was voted by the Bobbin Association as "Most Profitable Apparel Company in the United States," has a few of its own retail stores."

"We'll have more in the future," said Horowitz. "Our goal is to open one store a month for the next three years. These stores will be in both metropolitan and rural markets."

Price-wise, Hilfiger said his designer line falls somewhere between The Gap and Polo.

"My philosophy is to provide great products at grade-point prices," he said.

He said suit prices start at about $395; sports coats at $200; shirts at $40 and neck wear at $27.50.

"These are good prices for designer clothes," he said.

Hilfiger has been in the design business about a decade.

"When I was 18, I opened a retail store in upstate New York," he said. "I had $150 in cash and 20 pairs of jeans." Within 10 years, Hilfiger developed a successful chain of retail shops.

"But I had problems finding the type of clothing I wanted," he said. "I finally went to a manufacturer with some of my ideas. At this point in my life, I decided I wanted to create ideas and designs."

Hilfiger sold his upstate shops and moved to New York. The rest is history. Until recently, most of Hilfiger's clothing was sportswear, or casual clothing, for men and boys.

"The crown jewel for the Tommy Hilfiger Co. came with this agreement with Hartmarx," said Hilfiger. "We're now a full `tailored clothing' design firm."