It’s close at hand
Tyler Ellis embraces her heritage as daughter of Perry and gets her handbags onto red carpets and out into the world
This awards season, there have been safe fashion bets, bold statements, plenty of all-black looks, an onslaught of white ones and blatant misses on red carpets from the East Coast to the West Coast. However, one thing has been consistent at almost every major awards show so far this season: the strong presence of artfully constructed bags from accessories designer Tyler Ellis.
Her latest style, which made its first appearance on the red carpet last summer, is a particularly sentimental one. It’s called the Perry and named for Ellis’ late father, designer Perry Ellis. The bag has been a favorite of celebrities and will soon be available to non-Hollywood shoppers.
“This one is really special,” said Ellis, 33. “Its emerald shape is inspired by my engagement ring. It reminds me of my wedding. My father obviously wasn’t there, but I thought tying it all together in one clutch would be special.”
On the red-carpet circuit, the Perry bag has shown up in the hands of Diane Kruger, Viola Davis, Olivia Munn and Tracee Ellis Ross. And at this year’s Golden Globes alone, Tyler Ellis bags were carried by Salma Hayek Pinault, Meryl Streep, Sharon Stone, Reese Witherspoon, Mandy Moore, Octavia Spencer and Oprah Winfrey.
“It’s humbling,” Ellis said. “I’m so honored that such strong, incredibly talented and brilliant women with everything at their fingertips choose to carry my bags.”
Ellis is the only child of the renowned American designer. She was conceived via in-vitro fertilization after her father, who was gay, decided to have a child with his best friend, TV writer and producer Barbara Gallagher. Perry Ellis, who served as president of the Council of Fashion Designers of America, died at age 46 from AIDS-related complications in 1986, a year and a half after Ellis was born.
“They never made it seem odd to me,” Ellis said of her childhood. “I always felt very loved. My father and mother were the best of friends. I was a baby made out of love.”
Raised in the Pacific Palisades, Ellis went to Boston University to study film and television. However, she realized it was fashion, particularly accessories, she was passionate about. With that in mind, she moved to New York to intern for Michael Kors. The experience inspired her to start her own label in 2011, which was originally called Tyler Alexandra. It launched with two styles: a clutch and a purse, named Winifred and Edwin for her paternal grandparents.
However, the launch was in some ways a false start. It took Ellis three years to find a factory that was up to her production standards. Eventually, she discovered one in Florence, Italy, where all of her bags are currently made.
“I found a father-son factory, and that’s when things started to change,” Ellis said. “They treat the bags like they’re their babies as well. That’s when I started to evolve as a designer, because they understood me, and I was able to grow.”
That growth translated into more styles and an increased confidence in her ability as a designer, which led to a big decision last year. Ellis officially changed the name of her line to Tyler Ellis, finally embracing her famous last name.
“My spring/summer line last year was the first Tyler Ellis collection,” Ellis said. “I felt ready. I had a fear of being in my father’s footsteps — it was so daunting to be in his shadow — but I realized I can do my own thing.”
It isn’t only the label’s name that has changed. In 2017, Tyler moved her headquarters from New York to Los Angeles, choosing to return to her hometown.
Her collection has also evolved. Next season there will be 10 styles, the options varied and vast, ranging from laser-cut leather structured totes and exotic-skin crossbody bags to marbled plexi clutches.
In Ellis’ line, you’ll also find pouches embellished with Swarovski crystals, hard-framed, box-shaped bags and double-handle doctor bags. The styles are named for Ellis’ family, friends and puppies, which she refers to as the “important things” in her life.
All the bags are lined in Tyler’s signature “Thayer” blue, a reference to the street she grew up on. Prices range from about $950 (for an envelope clutch) to $15,000 (for a large exotic bag).
“I want to make a super tight collection — bags you can transfer from day to night,” Ellis said.
She also makes sure all her purses, regardless of size, are functional, meaning they are lightweight and can fit large cellphones as well as have pockets and detachable chains. The bags are mostly sold through her website, tylerellis.com, and at a few select boutiques in the U.S. and abroad. Also, they can be customized, down to the material, color and hardware.
“I’m a jeans and a T-shirt girl,” Ellis said. “I like to have a bag I can take to lunch and then go to dinner with. I want people to wear my designs. I don’t want them to sit in your closet. They’re meant to be used and enjoyed.”