Women Who Launch: Meet Handbag Designer Tyler Ellis

Tyler, please can you briefly summarise your career arc? Have you always wanted to design handbags?

Growing up, I was always an accessories girl. I loved handbags, shoes, and jewellery. That said, my father was Perry Ellis, one of the most iconic American designers, which in many ways initially steered me away from the industry. He passed away when I was just 18 months old, so I never had the chance to know him, but subconsciously, the enormity of his legacy felt daunting. Those were very big shoes to fill.

I chose to attend Boston University, graduating with a degree in Communications, following in my mother’s footsteps and very clearly not my calling. Shortly after graduation, I moved from Los Angeles to New York City and began working at Michael Kors. There, I learned the business from the ground up, gaining invaluable experience in retail and brand-building. I was also fortunate to work closely with Lance LePere, Michael’s longtime creative director and partner, assisting with styling for the New York Fashion Week runway shows. That experience shaped my eye and instilled an uncompromising attention to detail, something that has since become a defining pillar of the Tyler Ellis brand.

How would you describe the ethos of your brand?

The ethos of Tyler Ellis is grounded in genuine craftsmanship, thoughtful design, and a belief in true, lasting luxury. Each piece is handcrafted in Italy with great care, using traditional techniques and the finest materials, because we believe luxury should be felt in the details and stand the test of time. The brand is intentionally understated, designed to be timeless rather than trend-driven. As a woman designing for women, I focus on how a piece is worn, how it moves with you, and how it fits into real life. Tyler Ellis is about quiet confidence, integrity in craftsmanship, and creating objects that are meant to be loved and used for years, not seasons.

Where do you source inspiration for your designs and collections?

Where I source inspiration is actually a difficult question for me to answer, because it isn’t tied to one specific place or reference. Inspiration can come from an architectural detail on a building, or sometimes from simply setting an intention. I may decide that I want to create a new clutch, already having a shape in mind, and from there I immerse myself in research. I look through countless images of vintage handbags, furniture, wallpaper, and objects, capturing details that instinctively draw me in.

Once I’ve gathered that visual language, I step away and let everything settle. That process can take a few hours or several days, but eventually there’s an internal shift, a sense of clarity and momentum. That’s when I begin sketching, and the design begins to unfold. The place where I create most freely is on an airplane. With no distractions and nowhere else to be, I can fully focus, and that’s where many of my designs first come to life.

How are you finding life in Florence having previously lived in LA, and how does the city inspire you and your designs?

Living in Florence feels like an entirely new world compared to Los Angeles. We’re in the city centre, so everything is walkable. I don’t drive here, which I love, and life feels incredibly manageable when everything you need is just moments away. The quality of life is exceptional, from the pace of daily living to the food, which is fresh, seasonal, and made with the simplest, cleanest ingredients. The value for what you receive is something you truly don’t find elsewhere.

Florence is, of course, very traditionally Italian, so I do miss sushi and the occasional ultra-chic restaurant moment. That said, living in Italy also means that the rest of Europe is just a short flight away, which offers endless inspiration and variety. The most meaningful part of living here, though, is raising my son in this environment. Being away from the intensity of social media and constant noise feels incredibly centring for our family. There’s a sense of presence and grounding here that I value deeply, and I hope it allows him to hold onto his innocence a little longer. Family and religion are woven into everyday life in Italy. Children are welcomed everywhere, and it’s completely natural for him to join us for dinner most nights. That sense of togetherness and balance is something I cherish deeply.

What’s been the most challenging part of launching your own business?

The most challenging part of launching my own business has been building the right team. There is always more to do than time allows, and having the right people in place truly makes all the difference. It is not just about skill, but about finding individuals who work without ego, respect one another, and are willing to roll up their sleeves. We are a small team, and no one is above getting their hands dirty.

As the business grows, the team naturally evolves to meet new needs. As an owner, I have learned the importance of understanding every aspect of the business and keeping a close eye on all of it, something that took time to fully appreciate. If you are not knowledgeable in a particular area, even one that seems insignificant, it can create gaps that slow the company down.

One of the most important pieces of advice I received early on came from Michael Kors, who told me to surround myself with the best people possible. That advice has stayed with me. Building a team of A-plus people who truly have the company’s best interests at heart is critical. Equally important is surrounding yourself with people who will challenge you, not just say yes, who are driven to find solutions and committed to doing things the right way, without ever cutting corners.

What would you say has been your proudest moment so far?

I would say its personal and it’s my son… Not professional just yet...

What advice would you give to someone looking to start their own fashion brand?

The most challenging part of launching my own business has been building the right team. There’s always more to do than time allows, and having the right people in place makes all the difference. It’s not just about skill, it’s about finding individuals who work without ego, respect one another, and are willing to roll up their sleeves. We’re a small team, and no one is above getting their hands dirty.

As the business grows, the team naturally evolves to meet new needs. As an owner, I’ve learned the importance of understanding every aspect of the business and keeping my eyes on all of it, something that took time to fully appreciate. If you’re not knowledgeable in a particular area, even one that seems insignificant, it can create gaps that slow the company down.

Ultimately, building a team of A-plus people who truly have the company’s best interests at heart is critical. Equally important is surrounding yourself with people who will challenge you, not just say yes, who are driven to find solutions and ensure everything is done the right way, without ever cutting corners.

What does a typical day look like for you?

My days are structured but fluid. I start each morning with tea and emails, getting a sense of what’s happening globally before the day fully begins. I make time for the gym early on, because taking care of myself is essential. From there, the day moves quickly into meetings, calls, and decision-making.

In the afternoon, I step away to pick up my son from school, and then return to work for a few more focused hours of emails and calls. When needed, I’ll visit the atelier to review samples, though most production meetings happen at home with my production manager. Evenings are reserved for family. My husband, son, and I usually go out for a simple Italian dinner, which is an important pause in the day.

My intention is for work to end before dinner, though living in Italy means navigating a significant time difference with the U.S., and emails can still slip in. It’s a balance I’m constantly working on, and like most things, it’s a work in progress. Then it’s home, bed, and on to the next day.

Who is the typical Tyler Ellis customer?

The Tyler Ellis customer is worldly and confident. She doesn’t crave labels, but instead values authenticity, craftsmanship, and thoughtful, distinctive design.

Slow fashion is championing fast fashion - how do you ensure your brand is as sustainable as possible?

We are the real deal. I purchased our atelier last year to preserve heritage Italian artisanal craftsmanship. It isn’t an assembly-line factory, but a dedicated group of highly skilled artisans working together, using traditional techniques to bring my designs to life. We cut no corners, produce primarily bespoke pieces, and archive materials and fabrics, as we are a seasonless brand.

What we’re doing is, sadly, becoming a dying art. Fewer young people are entering the world of craftsmanship, and for a long-time quality mattered less to the mass consumer. But that’s beginning to change. People are becoming more curious about where their products come from and how they’re made. True luxury exists at the intersection of design and craftsmanship. You cannot have one without the other. I hope consumers continue to question fast fashion and instead invest in timeless pieces that are made to last and are worth the exponential cost.

How has your brand evolved since its launch?

The brand has evolved significantly since its beginnings, both in name and in vision. I originally launched in 2011 under Tyler Alexandra, and it took six years before I introduced Tyler Ellis in 2017. That time was intentional. I felt strongly that I needed to earn my last name rather than simply use it, and I wanted the brand to stand on its own merit.

Nearly a decade later, both the brand and I have a strong sense of clarity and direction. I’m clear about who I am as a designer and business owner, and equally clear about what Tyler Ellis represents. The evolution has been as much personal as it has been professional, and the two are deeply intertwined. Over the years, I’ve grown into my role as a leader by taking on responsibility and learning through experience. Today, I’m incredibly proud of the business my team and I are building. We’re deeply committed, always evolving, and constantly moving forward. The work is demanding and the lessons are real, but that process has strengthened both me and the brand.

Do you have anything exciting in the pipeline for the remainder of 2026?

We’ve had some very exciting moments already this year, and there’s more to come. We recently launched a capsule collection with One&Only The Palm and Royal Mirage in Dubai, which I’m incredibly proud of. It’s a collaboration that’s very close to my heart. I fell in love with those properties over a decade ago, so bringing this project to life now feels especially meaningful.

Another major milestone has been my collaboration with Tony Ward on a limited collection of couture handbags. His team executed the embroidery, and my atelier brought the pieces to life. The bags debuted on the runway at the Tony Ward show during Paris Couture Week in January, and it was an incredibly proud moment for both my team and the Tony Ward group.

Looking ahead, I’m working on a few new silhouettes that offer a softer expression of my typically architectural designs. They’re slightly larger in scale and designed to move seamlessly through everyday life, while maintaining the level of craftsmanship and precision that define the brand. I’m very excited to introduce this next chapter in the months ahead.