What It's Like to Have Breakfast with the Hilfigers

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• Richard, Dee and Tommy
• Dee with the Mustique Tortoise Chain Bag
• The Mustique Tortoise Chain bag up close
• The Plaza Clutch
• The Hilfiger Living Room with the Basquiat painting
• The Monaco Tote

Who could turn down an invitation from Tommy Hilfiger to attend a breakfast for his wife Dee Ocleppo's new handbag line for HSN—held in their apartment at The Plaza? Certainly not us—nor seemingly, our fellow guest, HSN's new sunglasses designer Robert Verdi.

We all arrived at the beautiful Hilfiger duplex apartment and were immediately escorted into the couple's dining room. There, over muffins and fruit, we met the pretty and very down to earth Dee, who showed us her DEESIGNS by Dee Ocleppo collection. We'll be discussing the bags in more detail on Racked National—but we really liked what we saw.

Dee told us she was inspired by the Pappagallo/Bermuda bags she used to carry in seventh grade—those preppy ones where you could switch the fabric of the bag to match your many ensembles. Dee explained, "No one's done those bags since then. And it's such a great concept—if it's done in a different way, with nice fabrics."

These HSN bags are hipper versions of those classics, with metal studs instead of buttons, more contemporary fabrics and cooler handles. Our favorite ones were the vintage-looking Mustique Tortoise Chain and the Monaco Tote in Leather which was big enough to hold a laptop.

Once we finished chatting with Dee about her collection, which debuts on HSN March 22nd, we introduced ourselves to her obviously proud husband. Tommy Hilfiger was equally friendly and fun, and we were smitten with him immediately because he kept complimenting our tartan motorcycle jacket. (He said he found it inspiring, and of course, he liked the plaid.)

The couple's apartment is beautiful and eclectic, filled with great antiques. Even more impressive, they have an art collection which would make the MoMA jealous: black and white photographs of Liz and Richard, Princess Diana, and even one of Frank and Mia leaving Truman Capote's Black & White Ball in 1966. There was piece after piece of amazing artwork, including ones by Warhol and Basquiat—the latter of which Tommy told us was painted by the artist the day he first met Andy Warhol.
· HSN [Official Site]
· Tommy Hilfiger [Official Site]