Tommy Hilfiger’s last runway show here representatively and nostalgically closed out New York Fashion Week’s run at Bryant Park, and his spring-summer 2011 mens’ and women’s collections, presented on the runways at Lincoln Center on Sunday night was another symbol — but concerning the future.

“We look forward to distribution the next 25 years with you,” said a voice (presumably Hilfiger’s) over the loudspeaker at the begin of the show, which was packed with famous person attendees including Jennifer Lopez, Bradley Cooper, Christina Hendricks and Neil Patrick Harris (sitting left to right in that order, by the way).

The top of the runway was conquered by ivy-covered arches reminiscent of the cover shot from “Take Ivy,” photographer Teruyoshi Hayashida’s 1965 book of photos that captured Ivy League campus style (and that was reissued in August 2010), and the show invitations had arrived nestled in a box with a thatch of faux ivy hedge, but once the show in progress, it was clear that Hilfiger was taking his notion of prep ahead of make that over — the hedge.

Described in the show notes as “twisted country club,” by the preppy roots of the brand as a point of launch pad for the kind of pleasant riffs we’re more used to seeing from fashion designers like Thom Browne and Scott Sternberg.

Afterward, Hilfiger hosted a 25th anniversary party next door at the Metropolitan Opera House, whole with a red carpet lined by models kitted out in the iconic preppy silhouette of navy blue blazer and khaki trousers and a musical recital by the Strokes.