Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce has officially made his debut as the new face of Tommy Hilfiger, launching his first major commercial and print advertisements for the American fashion brand. The campaign, titled Only In New York,
was shot over two days in April at The Plaza Hotel, a landmark New York City location where designer Tommy Hilfiger lived for 11 years. The digital and paid social campaign rolled out globally, highlighting preppy outerwear and the brand’s signature red, white, and blue color palette.
Travis Kelce Debuts as Face of Tommy Hilfiger in New York Campaign
The high-profile multimedia campaign features a star-studded cast alongside Kelce. In the video spot, the NFL star fist-bumps a doorman, greets South Korean singer and songwriter Peggy Gou, runs into model Gigi Hadid in an elevator, and walks through a kitchen to encounter South Korean singer and brand ambassador Jisoo. Kelce is also seen sharing a drink with tennis player Frances Tiafoe and former NBA star Carmelo Anthony before stepping outside in a letter jacket to meet designer Tommy Hilfiger in a taxi cab. Additional promotional images show Kelce modeling a flannel shirt and khakis while holding a football in Central Park.
Wendy the Samoyed Steals the Show in Campaign Debut
The campaign also marks the public debut of Wendy, a fluffy white Samoyed belonging to Kelce and his wife, pop star Taylor Swift. According to Yahoo News Canada, the dog’s breed and name were confirmed following months of speculation after the couple married in a July 3 ceremony at Madison Square Garden. The canine star appears alongside Kelce in photos and video footage, including a scene where both kick their paws up on a striped lounger at The Plaza Hotel and another on a black-and-white sofa.
The brand had originally sought to cast a dog for the advertisement when Kelce volunteered his own pet, explaining to Daily Mail that she naturally fit the aesthetic and crushed the shoot. The puppy joins a household that already includes Swift’s three cats: Meredith Grey, Olivia Benson, and Benjamin Button. The dog’s existence first drew attention after clues mounted from wedding leaks, airport sightings, and anecdotes shared on the New Heights
podcast by Kelce’s brother, Jason Kelce, regarding a puppy chewing on designer furniture.
Fashion Ambitions and Future Hilfiger Collaborations
Kelce, a self-described fashion enthusiast who founded his own clothing company, expressed enthusiasm for sporting the collection’s outerwear and picking out unique outfits daily. The partnership between the three-time Super Bowl winner and the fashion house materialized after the brand reached out to Kelce’s management team in the fall of 2025. Tommy Hilfiger’s global chief marketing officer, Virginia Ritchie, praised the initial film spot and noted that the athlete authentically represents the brand.
The collaboration is slated to continue with additional major rollouts. Kelce is scheduled to appear in subsequent campaigns and will design his own capsule collection featuring reimagined Tommy icons next spring. Furthermore, the partnership includes upcoming events such as the brand’s fashion show staged at The Plaza Hotel, as well as a major out-of-home advertising push scheduled for February.
