Gigi Hadid stars in Hilfiger’s trans-Atlantic NY runway

Tommy Hilfiger headlined day five of New York Fashion Week by sending model-of-the-moment Gigi Hadid down an ocean-liner themed catwalk to open and close a trans-Atlantic voyage-themed show as snow fell outside.

Hilfiger, who has turned affordable but fashionable apparel into a global empire, is known for his flamboyant Fashion Week shows, which each season transform the Armory on Park Avenue into a spectacular set.

“Years back, in the ‘20s, the ‘30s, when the people would travel trans-Atlantic they would get dressed properly,” the 64-year-old design king told AFP ahead of the show, explaining his inspiration.

The models wearing his fall/winter 2016 collection strode the deck of the ocean liner, which pumped steam into the air through giant funnels against a night sky backdrop of glittering stars.

Hadid, who has collaborated with Hilfiger on a capsule collection to debut in September, opened the show dressed in a bias-cut, silk print dress, walked second in an embellished silk blouse with black retro briefs, and closed the show in a gold sequined sailor dress and tiara.

The daughter of real estate developer Mohamed Hadid and “Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” star Yolanda Foster, Gigi is dating One Direction alumnus Zayn Malik and has more than 13 million followers on Instagram.

The supermodel and Los Angeles “It” girl, aged 20, and her millions of adoring fans are precisely the customers that marketing savvy Hilfiger is keen to snap up.

Hilfiger, dressed in a captain-style navy jacket, made a victory lap at the end of the show for which he created a special “InstaPit” for the Instagram creators transforming the way fashion is consumed.

French navy allusions featured prominently on captain-style jackets and coats, embellished with braiding, and there was a sprinkling of 1970s styles and shapes thrown in, such as high-waisted bell bottoms.

Hilfiger said the collection was made sexy with whimsical, fun print dresses and crepe de chine, which would be layered up in winter with a sweater or a jacket, or paired with a stunning black leather coat.