Dee Ocleppo Hilfiger
The Art of Effortless Elegance
Dee Ocleppo Hilfiger’s world is one where style meets substance. As the creative director and co-owner of Judith Leiber and designer of her own affordable luxury line, her journey through fashion has been one of bold creativity, timeless sophistication, and multicultural influence.
Growing up as a first-generation American with Turkish and British parents, Dee quickly realized that being different was a superpower. Her mother would often bring home fashion magazines, and Dee would pour over the glossy pages of Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar, developing a keen eye for what appealed to her. That early exposure to high fashion, paired with the strong work ethic instilled by her father, became the foundation of her fashion career.
“I always had jobs growing up, from babysitting to mowing lawns,” Dee recalls. “It was important to me to work for what I earned. I think that influence, combined with my heritage, allowed me to venture into the fashion business and create designs that are both chic and boldly unique.”
Navigating the distinct demands of her brands is a balancing act that Dee manages with grace. “We love keeping the classic style of Judith Leiber while also embracing new collaborations that make our collections unique, including the Hello Kitty, Kardashian-Jenner Collection, Disney, and Katy Perry collection,” Dee explains. “It’s a fun way to create new, bold designs that keep our customers intrigued.”
Her design philosophy remains classic and timeless, even as trends continue to shift. “When curating pieces for any of my brands—whether it’s my new home line Mrs. H, DO by Dee Ocleppo, or Judith Leiber—I love to include pieces that are bold but never go out of style. By creating pieces that are able to be mixed and matched, it allows for different looks that can be worn season after season. Longevity in clothing, bags, and home products is very important to me.”
One fashion rule Dee delights in breaking? Shopping in her husband's (Tommy Hilfiger)’s closet. “I love to pull some really great menswear pieces, like vintage Tommy Hilfiger rugby shirts or strong suiting options. It’s about making something unexpected feel effortlessly stylish.”
With homes in various locations, including Palm Beach and Mustique, Dee’s surroundings heavily inspire her designs and lifestyle choices. “Tommy and I have designed so many homes and we always want them to be unique, beautiful, and really speak to the environment. For example, with our home in Mustique, simplicity is key. It’s a chic but user-friendly type of home where nothing’s too precious or expensive. It’s designed to walk through with sandy feet.”
"I love to pull some really great menswear pieces, like vintage Tommy Hilfiger rugby shirts or strong suiting options. It’s about making something unexpected feel effortlessly stylish."
Palm Beach, however, offers a different kind of inspiration. “Funny enough, since I’ve moved into our home in Palm Beach, I’ve traveled more to NYC and Pennsylvania for work than ever before. But I love Palm Beach. My favorite part is being home with my son and taking him to school every morning with Tommy. You can really have a lot of fun entertaining here since the weather is so incredible and we all enjoy being outside. We just recently hosted our first party in our new house—a safari party in our backyard where we all dined outside.”
As Dee looks forward to her spring collection launching in April, her passion for classic elegance remains as strong as ever. “I love this new collection! It’s all about clean, crisp looks. We have some great denim, an effortless trench coat, bright white button-downs, and lots of shades of blue. The collection will be available at Nordstrom, Macy’s, and Amazon.”
And if the collection had a theme song? “Lovely Day by Bill Withers,” Dee says with a smile.
Even in a world of ever-changing trends, there are pieces that transcend time. Dee treasures one item in particular: “I have one dress that Karl Lagerfeld designed for FENDI, and I’ve had it in my closet for at least 25 years. I wear it all the time. It’s black with little crystals all over.”
For Dee Ocleppo Hilfiger, fashion is more than just style—it’s a harmonious blend of heritage, creativity, and intention. And as she continues to break boundaries and set trends, her vision remains as fresh and inspiring as ever.
