ARTISTIX Spring/Summer 2017 New York

By Jean E. Palmieri

Leave it to Andy Hilfiger to inject some high-energy into the opening day of New York Fashion Week: Men’s. The brother of Tommy Hilfiger and a brand-builder in his own right, teamed with artist Greg Polisseni on his fledgling fashion brand, Artistix, joining the two-year-old label as creative director in April.

“I take his art and put it into clothing,” Hilfiger said at the presentation where art and painting took center stage. The collection offered a tight selection of artist-inspired pieces including coveralls, painters’ pants and paint-splattered vests, pants and shirts in primarily black and white with the occasional touch of teal.

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Aurora Rose/REX/Shutterstock (5754854am) Model on the Catwalk Artistix with Andy Hilfiger Presentation, Spring Summer 2017, New York Fashion Week: Men’s, USA – 11 Jul 2016

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Aurora Rose/REX/Shutterstock (5754854ao) Model on the Catwalk Artistix with Andy Hilfiger Presentation, Spring Summer 2017, New York Fashion Week: Men’s, USA – 11 Jul 2016

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Aurora Rose/REX/Shutterstock (5754854ae) Model on the Catwalk Artistix with Andy Hilfiger Presentation, Spring Summer 2017, New York Fashion Week: Men’s, USA – 11 Jul 2016

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Aurora Rose/REX/Shutterstock (5754854at) Model on the Catwalk Artistix with Andy Hilfiger Presentation, Spring Summer 2017, New York Fashion Week: Men’s, USA – 11 Jul 2016

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Aurora Rose/REX/Shutterstock (5754854ax) Model on the Catwalk Artistix with Andy Hilfiger Presentation, Spring Summer 2017, New York Fashion Week: Men’s, USA – 11 Jul 2016

Mandatory Credit: Photo by REX/Shutterstock (5754854b) Model on the catwalk Artistix with Andy Hilfiger Presentation, Spring Summer 2017, New York Fashion Week: Men’s, USA – 11 Jul 2016

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Aurora Rose/REX/Shutterstock (5754854bb) Model on the Catwalk Artistix with Andy Hilfiger Presentation, Spring Summer 2017, New York Fashion Week: Men’s, USA – 11 Jul 2016

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Aurora Rose/REX/Shutterstock (5754854be) Model on the Catwalk Artistix with Andy Hilfiger Presentation, Spring Summer 2017, New York Fashion Week: Men’s, USA – 11 Jul 2016

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Aurora Rose/REX/Shutterstock (5754854as) Model on the Catwalk Artistix with Andy Hilfiger Presentation, Spring Summer 2017, New York Fashion Week: Men’s, USA – 11 Jul 2016

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Aurora Rose/REX/Shutterstock (5754854bk) Model on the Catwalk Artistix with Andy Hilfiger Presentation, Spring Summer 2017, New York Fashion Week: Men’s, USA – 11 Jul 2016

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Aurora Rose/REX/Shutterstock (5754854bm) Model on the Catwalk Artistix with Andy Hilfiger Presentation, Spring Summer 2017, New York Fashion Week: Men’s, USA – 11 Jul 2016

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Aurora Rose/REX/Shutterstock (5754854br) Model on the Catwalk Artistix with Andy Hilfiger Presentation, Spring Summer 2017, New York Fashion Week: Men’s, USA – 11 Jul 2016

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Aurora Rose/REX/Shutterstock (5754854bt) Model on the Catwalk Artistix with Andy Hilfiger Presentation, Spring Summer 2017, New York Fashion Week: Men’s, USA – 11 Jul 2016

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Aurora Rose/REX/Shutterstock (5754854by) Model on the Catwalk Artistix with Andy Hilfiger Presentation, Spring Summer 2017, New York Fashion Week: Men’s, USA – 11 Jul 2016

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Aurora Rose/REX/Shutterstock (5754854ca) Model on the Catwalk Artistix with Andy Hilfiger Presentation, Spring Summer 2017, New York Fashion Week: Men’s, USA – 11 Jul 2016

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Aurora Rose/REX/Shutterstock (5754854cb) Model on the Catwalk Artistix with Andy Hilfiger Presentation, Spring Summer 2017, New York Fashion Week: Men’s, USA – 11 Jul 2016

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Aurora Rose/REX/Shutterstock (5754854ch) Model on the Catwalk Artistix with Andy Hilfiger Presentation, Spring Summer 2017, New York Fashion Week: Men’s, USA – 11 Jul 2016

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Aurora Rose/REX/Shutterstock (5754854m) Models with Artistic and Andy Hilfiger Artistix with Andy Hilfiger Presentation, Spring Summer 2017, New York Fashion Week: Men’s, USA – 11 Jul 2016

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Aurora Rose/REX/Shutterstock (5754854ai) Model on the Catwalk Artistix with Andy Hilfiger Presentation, Spring Summer 2017, New York Fashion Week: Men’s, USA – 11 Jul 2016

“I call it workwear chic,” Hilfiger said.

 There was also a rocker element in the line in pieces such as white leather biker jacket and a moto-inspired jean.

 While the art message was received loud and clear, there wasn’t much more to the collection. Perhaps the line will be expanded into other complementary pieces in the future.