Tommy Hilfiger and Sony BMG have launched a fashion and music online TV website - the latest sign of ever closer union of the world's of style and song. [Agencies]

US fashion company Tommy Hilfiger and music group Sony BMG have teamed up to launch a fashion and music online TV website.

TommyTV, at www.tommytv.com, will show live performance by established and new artists sponsored by Tommy Hilfiger alongside exclusive interviews and backstage footage.

Designer Tommy Hilfiger, dapper in a pin stripe suit and orange tie, said the site would also host the Hilfiger Auditions, an online competition where young artists can showcase their talent.

"These musicians otherwise would not have that opportunity in many cases," Hilfiger said at the launch in London which kicked off with a live act by Parisian pop duo "One-Two."

"This is a platform for new young musicians to show their talents on a global stage and have a connection with our partner Sony BMG."

Tommy Hilfiger has built a worldwide fashion brand spanning women's, men's and children's wear to accessories and watches on marketing campaigns presenting hip, image savvy U.S. teenagers.

It has already moved to develop the brand in the music arena by hosting live gigs with only a few hundreds guests known as the Hilfiger Sessions.

Tommy Hilfiger Chief Executive Fred Gehring said the launch of TommyTV in collaboration with Sony BMG, home of artists Justin Timberlake and Leona Lewis, was a unique and momentous new stage in the fusion of the fashion and music worlds.

Music-makers such as Madonna and David Bowie have long been seen as style icons, sartorial chameleons defining both themselves and their music through different looks.

"I literally became a fashion designer because of music," Hilfiger told Reuters at the launch. "Music was my first love, in the 60s - I wanted to dress like Mick Jagger, Pete Townshend, Jimmy Page."