When Tommy Hilfiger's Wife Creates Purses: DEESIGNS by Dee Ocleppo for HSN

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• Dee Ocleppo
• Tommy Hilfiger shows us his wife's purses
• Dee shows Robert Verde her designs
• Plaza Clutches and Monaco Totes
• Greenwich Ring Satchel and Mustique Tortoise Chain
• The Mustique Tortoise Chain
• Monaco Tote in Leather (both inside and out)
• Monaco Tote
• Coverlets

When we learned that Dee Ocleppo was doing a collection of purses for HSN, we wondered why she chose not to work within the Hilfiger empire. Surely if being married to retail god Tommy Hilfiger has any perks, the moment you're launching a handbag line would be the time to take advantage of them. But then we went to the launch party of the DEESIGNS by Dee Ocleppo collection at Dee and Tommy's fabulous apartment in New York's legendary Plaza, and we immediately got it. All the bags have switchable and reversible covers, so it helps shoppers to see them "in action" on television. As Dee said, "HSN works perfectly because I can actually demonstrate on TV what the bag is and explain it."

Dee was a preppy girl growing up, and this collection was inspired by the reversible Pappagallo/Bermuda bags she used to carry when she was twelve. You know, those ones with the wooden handles and buttons? These DEESIGNS bags are cool, updated versions of the classics, with metal studs instead of the buttons, fun handles, and non-preppy fabrics. This spring collection and the summer one both include woven fabrics and raffia, and then the upcoming fall and winter ones will use luxury wools and faux fur.

The collection, which debuts March 22nd on HSN, includes four basic styles at five price points, all named after and inspired by the Hilfiger family's many homes. There is the basic Plaza Clutch ($99.90), the Greenwich Ring Satchel ($139.90) with a cute round wooden handle, the Monaco Tote ($159.90) and the Monaco Tote in Leather ($249.90), both of which are big enough to put your laptop in.

Then there is our favorite bag, the Mustique Tortoise Chain ($139.90), which not surprisingly includes a vintage-looking chain in a tortoiseshell tone. This one was so cute in person that we suspect we're going to end up buying it ourselves.

There will also be extra reversible covers available. Ones for the Tote and the Ring Satchel will be priced at $46.90 and $29.90 respectively. And yes, referring back to the names of the bags, the Hilfiger family actually has homes in New York's Plaza, Greenwich Connecticut, Monaco, and Mustique. Sigh. Well, at least we can afford the bags...
· What It's Like to Have Breakfast with the Hilfigers [Racked NY]
· HSN [Official Site]
· Tommy Hilfiger [Official Site]