From Handbags to Haute Couture: Overcoming Fashion Industry Hurdles, Reframing Failure, and the Power of Persistence with Dee Ocleppo Hilfiger

Superwomen with Rebecca Minkoff

As a designer, breaking into the fashion industry can be challenging even when you have the best connections. Success requires grit, determination, resilience, and the ability to keep getting back up after failures and setbacks. Just ask Dee Ocleppo Hilfiger, Founder & Creative Director of Dee Ocleppo and Creative Director of Judith Leiber.

Although Dee lovingly refers to herself as Mrs. Hilfiger and is married to fashion icon Tommy Hilfiger, Dee has still had to work just as hard in the fashion world to make a name for herself. Dee started her career as a model and after meeting Tommy he encouraged her to try her hand as a fashion designer.

Since then, she has created many things, including a handbag line she sold to Kate Spade and her namesake brand which includes handbags, a shoe line (soon to be retired), and her recently launched clothing line. Dee also serves as creative director for iconic legacy brand Judith Leiber and has had major viral moments with the brand's revitalization. While Dee is currently going through a transitional phase of letting go in order to make way for new growth, she has learned to remain patient and knows that if one thing doesn't work out, another will.

Thanks for listening! Don't forget to order Rebecca's book, Fearless: The New Rules for Unlocking Creativity, Courage, and Success.

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