Tommy Hilfiger sails into spring with a show aboard the Staten Island Ferry

Tommy Hilfiger literally rocked the boat.

The designer staged a runway extravaganza aboard the decommissioned Staten Island Ferry that SNL’s Colin Jost and alum Pete Davidson allegedly bought while “very stoned,” and closed out the show with a surprise performance by three members of the Wu-Tang Clan backed by Questlove on the decks.

Dressed in shipshape Hilfiger togs, Ghostface Killah, Method Man, and Raekwon of the original Staten Island hip-hop collective jumped out of their seats and launched into anthems including “C.R.E.A.M.” and “Ice Cream.” 

The passengers went wild. When they weren’t filming the rap trio, celebrity guests like Damson Idris, Brooke Shields, Jisoo, Damson Idris, Patrick Schwarzenegger, Jisoo, Olympic gold medalists Suni Lee and Gabrielle Thomas, Stray Kids’ Felix and Lee Know and Jost were grooving to the hits. 

Later, the starry crowd quaffed champagne and beer, snacked on pretzels, popcorn and ice cream, and mingled with Hilfiger and his wife, Dee. The all-American designer has been holding his shows in NYC landmarks, like the Oyster Bar in Grand Central Station.

Jost, who teamed up with his former co-star and two investors to purchase the MV John F. Kennedy for $280,000 in 2022, told Alexa that he’s confident it will become a special venue. Plans have reportedly ranged from a comedy club and restaurant to a boutique cruise ship sailing between New York and Miami.

“I never thought it was a money pit, except that it, you know, costs money,” the Staten Island native told Alexa. “I always had faith that it will be something really fun. I thought tonight was really fun!”

He admitted that docking it is dear. “Yes, we do have to pay to park it! More than a car! It holds 40 cars and 5,000 people, so probably that’s the equivalent markup.” The vessel was tugged from Staten Island to Manhattan’s Pier 17 for the event. 

Earlier in the evening, Idris, who is starring in the upcoming “F1” movie with Brad Pitt and Lewis Hamilton, said he loves being on the water. “I don’t know how to sail, but I know how to sit on a boat and look cool and have a cocktail.” 

Aaron Gordon of the Denver Nuggets said learning to sail is on his bucket list. “I feel bad for people who need dramamine,” declared the power forward.

Turns out that one of the models may have needed the medication.

“My fiancee is walking in the show, and she gets seasick, so I’m excited to see how it goes for her,“ said Schwarzenegger, who’s an old salt.

“I grew up sailing all the time in Cape Code with my family,” said the actor. “I wouldn’t put me in charge of running the helm on the sail, but I enjoy it.”

Hilfiger’s spring fashions were buoyantly preppy.

Models navigated the aisles in trench coats, relaxed pleated chinos, capri pants, cropped sweaters and shirt dresses in nautical navy, jaunty red and crisp white.

All in all, it was smooth sailing.