About to Pop! Tommy Hilfiger's Pop-Art Inspired S/S '12 Show

International Herald Tribune fashion critic Suzy Menkes' take on the resurgence of Tommy Hilfiger's cool is clear: " I never thought the day would come when I'd say I was missing 'preppy' in New York, but now since everyone's doing prints and wilder things, I'm rather looking forward to it." Tommy himself clued us in prior to showing yesterday evening to a packed tent in Lincoln Center that this collection was based upon his "obsession with pop art." "I own many pieces by Warhol, Basquiat, and Haring... and I wanted this collection to reflect their kaleidoscope of colors," the design legend explained. Fashion stars including both Annas, Emmanuelle, Carine and Andre, as well as Russell Simmons and a heavily guarded Carmelo Anthony, were buzzing about how Tommy has changed over recent seasons and has re-emerged toward something looser and younger  --  just ask Grammy winner Corinne Bailey Rae, who is currently recording her next LP due out next year and who counts herself as a recent fan. "I really love the way the brand's been changing for the last few years and I especially love 'The Hilfigers' ad campaign he has going on now with all different ethnicities of people who appear as a family," the singer explained. "It's a lot like my own family," she explained. "We may not be rich and preppy, but we have black, white, and brown people that make us up. All different types."