Abby Champion has come a long way since her days as a small-town cheerleader from Alabama. Since first being discovered back in 2017, the fashion world has seen the statuesque blonde beauty dominate shows and campaigns as one of modeldom’s most versatile figures. Eight years in, with a résumé that could make any new face on the scene swoon, Abby’s life has become even more colorful with her recent appointment as the newest campaign star of Tommy Hilfiger.

“I actually remember my dad having a [Tommy] sweatshirt that I would always steal from his closet—I loved to wear it. One Christmas, he bought me a new one so we could match. It was a blue half-zip with the Tommy logo on the front. I think it’s still in my room in Alabama!” she tells V about her excitement in joining the heritage brand’s family.

Recently, Champion modeled for Hilfiger’s lavish SS25 show, held on a decommissioned Staten Island Ferry boat stationed on the water in Manhattan’s South Street Seaport. She even got to meet the man himself for the first time—sans her OG blue half-zip. “Walking the runway on a boat was a new experience for me, and it was also my first time meeting Tommy during my fitting,” she explains. “He was so approachable and engaging—it made me so happy to be a part of the Tommy family!”

Just a few days prior to that momentous show, the brand debuted its Fall 2024 campaign featuring Abby and a very special someone: her fiancé, actor Patrick Schwarzenegger. “It’s so nice shooting together. Since it’s not something we do often, when we do, it feels very special!” she says about working alongside the current VMAN cover star and actor in the latest season of HBO’s The White Lotus. “With Tommy being in New York, a city we love to spend time in, it just felt so natural. I really loved getting to be on set with him.”

Now, as her career reaches new heights, Champion must balance the frenzy of fashion with an equally exciting chapter—wedding planning. “Wedding preparations are in the works, and we’re currently working with our wedding planner to get all the details finalized,” she shares. “Patrick is really involved and loves being a part of the planning process. On the day of the proposal, I was feeling so excited because my family had just arrived for Christmas, so we had everyone all together! He proposed at 7 a.m. on our morning walk, so there was no chance the surprise could get ruined. It was the most perfect day! We celebrated all day with family.”

V Magazine: Your first official modeling gig was back in 2018, and it’s all been uphill from there. What would you say has been the biggest change in your personal and professional life since you started modeling and were introduced to this world? 

Abby Champion: I think the biggest change in my personal life from when I started modeling is that I’m traveling weekly and trying to balance my time with family and friends and also working consistently. The biggest change in my professional life is really making fashion my lifestyle. Whether that’s eating clean to prep for a job, dressing up for work, working out almost every day of the week, or anything else that would keep me always ready for a call to leave. 

V: Now we have seen you blossom into a fully fledged Tommy girl. What are some of your favorite memories of the brand and Tommy himself? Do you remember the first time you met him?

AC: I have two favorite memories of working with Tommy this year. First, F1 in Vegas was such a memorable weekend! Patrick and I got to do a Hot lap and watch the race from the Paddock Club, which gave us an up-close view and was so cool! Second, Tommy’s fashion show in New York. Walking the runway on a boat was a new experience for me and it was also my first time meeting Tommy during my fitting. He was so approachable and engaging and it made me so happy to be a part of the Tommy family! 

V: Many American kids have many childhood memories of wearing Tommy Hilfiger. Do you remember what the first-ever piece was that you received or bought yourself?

AC: I actually remember my dad having a sweatshirt that I would always steal from his closet that I loved to wear. One Christmas, he bought me a new one so we could match, it was a blue half-zip with the Tommy logo on the front! I think it’s still in my room in Alabama! 

V: Every girl goes through many style phases in their life. How would you describe your style back when you were growing up, compared to the present day? Any style faux-pas that you’ve tried (and maybe regretted) all in the name of fashion?

AC: There are so many style trends I regret. I think my style was all over the place when I was growing up. I didn’t know where to shop, how to put pieces together, or what styles fit my body well. I think the biggest difference now is I don’t just buy things to follow trends. I buy timeless classic pieces or something that can be in my closet for years if need be. I think certain pieces are an investment rather than just buying for a certain occasion.

V: Recently, you’ve starred in a Tommy campaign with your partner, Patrick Schwarzenegger. Although this isn’t your first time shooting with him, what was that recent experience like shooting with your fiancé?

AC: It’s so nice shooting together. Since it’s not something we do often together, when we do it feels very special! With Tommy being in New York, a city we love to spend time in, it just felt so natural, and I really loved getting to be on set with him! 

V: As a bride-to-be (one V can’t wait to see!), what can you tell us about the wedding preparations? How true to you and Patrick are you keeping the overall experience (and style)? Can you recall what you were feeling that day of the proposal?

AC: Wedding preparations are in the works; we’re currently working with our wedding planner to get all the details finalized. Patrick is really involved and loves being a part of the planning process. On the day of the proposal, I was feeling so excited because my family had just arrived for Christmas, so we had everyone all together! He proposed at 7 am on our morning walk, so there was no chance the surprise got ruined. It was the most perfect day! We celebrated all day with family.

V: One quick look at your Instagram and it’s obvious you love to travel! Are any travel plans (for both modeling and adventure) in the works? What are you most excited about this spring/summer season?

AC: My travel plans are always changing for work as jobs come up last minute. For work, I know this month I’ll be going to Paris and Milan for fashion week. For personal travel, we have a trip to Cabo and a trip to Italy planned for this summer! I love having trips to look forward to, I always try to have something planned even if it’s a weekend day trip somewhere close to LA!

This story appears in the pages of V153: now available for purchase!

Photography Alvaro Beamud Cortés

Fashion Hunter Clem

Creative Director / Editor-in-Chief Stephen Gan

Fashion Director-at-Large Nicola Formichetti

Editor Kevin Ponce

Hair Iggy Rosales (Forward) using Verb

Makeup Samuel Paul (Forward) using Make Beauty

Prop Stylist Daniel Horowitz

Producer Suze Lee

Retouching Camillo Bernardi Studio

1st Photo Assistant + DOP/Video Editor Simone Triacca

Lighting Technician Paul Gilmore

Digital Technician Dillon Padgette

Stylist Assistant George Villalpando

Prop Assistants Sara Taylor, Jordan Odom

Production Assistant Apu Gomez

Fashion Market Editor Liv Vitale