Key Takeaways
- Dee Ocleppo Hilfiger transitioned from modeling and Wall Street to a prominent career in design and entrepreneurship.
- Her approach to design emphasizes curation, editing, and an immediate connection to properties.
- Hilfiger revitalized Judith Leiber with viral designs and launched her own brand, DO by Dee Ocleppo.
- She attributes her thriving marriage to Tommy Hilfiger to love, laughter, and respect.
- Hilfiger advises female entrepreneurs to be fierce, persistent, and lead with passion and compassion.
Deep Dive
- Dee Ocleppo Hilfiger's life journey began with modeling in Paris, followed by a career as a commodities assistant trader on Wall Street in New York.
- She divorced in 2003 after a marriage in Monte Carlo and met Tommy Hilfiger in the south of France three years later.
- Her family eventually moved to Rock Bruins for more space, where her children became fluent in French, Italian, and English.
- Hilfiger's upbringing in East Greenwich, Rhode Island, with immigrant parents, instilled a lifelong focus on aesthetics.
- The couple's first joint design project was a Plaza Hotel apartment purchased in 2008, inspired by the hotel's historical era.
- Their design process involves creating mood boards and drawing inspiration from diverse sources, similar to clothing design.
- The Hilfigers infuse a sense of place into their home designs, focusing on curation and editing rather than literal interpretations.
- Dee Ocleppo Hilfiger noted her positive reaction to Tommy Hilfiger's house and taste was a significant factor in their relationship.
- Dee Ocleppo Hilfiger identified her divorce, around age 37-38, as her most significant personal challenge.
- This traumatic event required her to mentally reprogram and restart her life while navigating raising two children as a single parent.
- Despite questioning past decisions like moving to Monaco, she ultimately views these experiences as crucial to her current success.
- Dee Ocleppo Hilfiger shares her secrets to a thriving marriage with Tommy Hilfiger: love, laughter, and respect.
- They maintain separate professional focuses but collaborate on specific projects, demonstrating a balanced work dynamic.
- Their daily routine includes driving their son to school together and engaging in strength training workouts.
- Hilfiger began her entrepreneurial journey by advising Tommy Hilfiger on a preppy collection, leading to her own prototype bag design.
- Her initial success led to her entry into fashion design with Mindy Grossman at HSN.
- As creative director for Judith Leiber, she modernized the brand by introducing viral, contemporary pieces like French fries and brick phones, attracting a younger audience.
- She also launched her own brand, DO by Dee Ocleppo, focusing on making women feel good through curated designs.
- Dee Ocleppo Hilfiger and Tommy Hilfiger choose homes based on a gut feeling and immediate connection, as they did with their Greenwich, Connecticut residence.
- She defines a home by the presence of loved ones, cherished items, memories, and a sense of safety, emphasizing her husband and son as key.
- Completing a home is viewed as an ongoing process of constant editing and refinement, rather than a finite project.
- The couple tends to 'keep it moving' by exploring new opportunities, even selling a home owned for over 30 years.
- Her brand, 'DO by Dee Ocleppo,' focuses on core values of making women feel good, with curation based on personal taste.
- Popular pieces from the collection include comfortable denim and casual wear, prioritizing ease of wear and affordability.
- Products are available at Nordstrom and select Macy's stores.
- Hilfiger's personal styling philosophy prioritizes comfort, classic, feminine, and timeless aesthetics over fleeting trends.
- Dee Ocleppo Hilfiger expresses a dislike for sweatsuits in professional settings, emphasizing the importance of presenting an effortful appearance.
- She advocates for a classic and handsome look for men as they age, rather than clinging to youthful styles.
- Hilfiger notes that some styles that suited women when younger may not be appropriate as they mature.
- Hilfiger's Amazon Prime Video docuseries, 'CEO Club,' features female entrepreneurs like Serena Williams and Winnie Harlow.
- The series aims to provide inspiring, behind-the-scenes insights into their lives and business ventures, focusing on support and education.
- She advises female entrepreneurs to 'stay fierce,' lead with passion and compassion, and remain true to their goals.
- Hilfiger shares the expression, 'If somebody says no, you're asking the wrong person,' emphasizing persistence.