Dee Ocleppo, with her collection of unique 3-in-1 luxury handbags, exclusively at Saks. photo courtesy of Roz Pactor
About Dee Ocleppo
Dee is the wife of one of America’s most well-known designers, Tommy Hilfiger. They married in 2008 and vowed to never be apart so they travel to each other’s commitments around the world which makes for an interesting and often times very hectic life. Tommy was very much her loyal sidekick here in Houston as she continues to spread her wings and expose all of us to her exquisite handbag collection that is built around a very unique concept. Having spent much of my retailing life working with all of Tommy’s products and collections, I must admit that was my first attraction was to meet and see her and him again. However, after spending time with Dee, she is not just a lovely ambassador for her own brand and a “wife-of” but a very bright, tasteful designer, who has a unique, well-thought out concept that above all keeps the woman in mind in all that she does….I liked that! A woman designing for women and their needs and likes, her first priority!
About the 3-in-1 Handbag Concept
The story, as told to me by Dee, about the handbags is very interesting. It all happened very quickly as Tommy was creating a pop-up shop and she told him about this adorable, uber-preppy bag she had in high school, made simply of cotton twill that flipped sides to be either pink or green. They did it, got good reaction and she was encouraged by Tommy to take the concept and do it herself. He set her up with product guru, Mindy Grossman of HSN and she began as a lower priced bag, made in China, that she sold on TV. Her aspirations were always higher but says that the China experience was a great way to “get all of the kinks out” of the very intricate detailing of making these bags. She proceeded to Italy, found beautifully luxurious fabrics, skins and furs and she was soon off and running for her entry into the lux handbag world. It was Marigay McKee at Harrod’s that gave her her first order. Says Dee, “I had to call my manufacturer after the meeting and say ‘Harrods wants to buy them, can we make them’.” Marigay is the new CEO of Saks and hence, she was willing to try them in U.S. with select doors and this handbag collection which only began in Fall 2013 is off and running and getting great response from the consumer.
Each of the bags, as you will see below, start as a basic well-made, high quality bag that has layers to it of either skin or fur or both. Added feature is that they are all lined in Hot Pink color which for women who wear a lot of black and carry lots of black “things” in their bags, they can actually find those things. She is hopeful that this bright addition to her bags will become a signature of Dee Ocleppo bags, as the red soles have been so identifiable for Christian Louboutin shoes. Her collection of bags in all sizes and shapes, as well as Small Leather Good items such as iPhone cases range in price from $600 to $12,000. A value, says Dee, when you think of the number of bag options you are purchasing. They must be seen, felt and experienced to truly appreciate both their practical styling concept as well as the beautiful quality craftsmanship of each piece.
Dee Ocleppo Bags below as they are presented for purchase exclusively at Saks….stop by and see the multi-use bags. They must be seen in person to truly appreciate. To purchase the bags you can currently find them Online or at select Saks stores (Hou, NY, Beverly Hill and more). For Spring they are going international and will be available at Galleries Lafayette in Paris, Net-a-Porter, Moda Operandi and Shopbop online and many others.
Loved chatting with Dee at Saks as she prepared for personal appearance and new collection intro for Saks evening event. This was Dee’s second visit to Houston where she said the women were lovely, fashionable, and really seemed to “get it”. Response here to the collection has been very favorable as many women stopped us during the interview to meet her, feel her bags and comment on the “coolness” of the concept.
About being Mrs. Tommy Hilfiger
Dee said that of course, Tommy’s many years as a top designer in the business has certainly had its rewards as a great counsel to her. She said she was able to learn from all of his experience and trial and error. At Saks, he was very attentive to Dee and ensuring that her product was well-presented which we all know he is a pro at. She said, of course, when I asked her if she is even thinking yet of what next, that Tommy has already got many great ideas for her and her business going forward. She, however, wants to take it a little more in stride and ensure that she has perfected what she has developed and really wants to build on her brand as a luxury handbag designer and be well established at that first…..and not just be “Tommy Hilfiger’s wife” that has her name on a lot of stuff!” I liked that and liked her and her well-grounded approach to it all very much.
Mr. and Mrs. Tommy Hilfiger at Saks Houston
photos courtesy of Dee Ocleppo and Roz Pactor
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