Brand DNA
Tyler's Story
Tyler Ellis’ sartorial journey has been a lifetime in the making. Born in Los Angeles in 1984 to legendary designer Perry Ellis and NBC executive Barbara Gallagher, just eighteen months after her birth the fashion world lost Perry Ellis to complications from AIDS, a tragedy that left Tyler without personal memories of her father but with an enduring connection to his spirit. Though she lost her father at such a young age, Tyler grew up surrounded by stories of his creativity and vision, which fostered her own deep connection to design.
“After researching his life and hearing stories from my mom and his peers, I see so many similarities between us,” Tyler reflects. “He was intensely dedicated to his craft but valued family, friends, and life’s simple joys above all else, qualities I find innate in myself.”
Following her graduation from Boston University, Tyler moved to New York and began her career under Michael Kors, where she discovered a grounded and human side of fashion. Travel soon awakened her entrepreneurial instincts: seeing the same luxury brands carried everywhere, she envisioned a collection of handbags with the craftsmanship of the grandes maisons but the individuality of a boutique brand.
In 2011 she launched her line, initially under the name Tyler Alexandra. “Reflecting back, starting the company was a life-altering event,” she says. “I felt I needed to earn my last name, not just use it.” In 2017, after years of refining her designs and building a close partnership with her artisans, she officially introduced her namesake brand, Tyler Ellis, debuting her first full collection.
Continuing her artisanal journey, Tyler, her husband Ben, and their son FitzHarold relocated to Florence, Italy, where she acquired her factory in 2025, cementing her commitment to preserving and advancing traditional Italian craftsmanship. From this historic setting, she shapes each collection with the same precision and reverence that define her brand. Beyond design, Tyler is dedicated to shaping the future of fashion as a founding member of the U.S. Fashion Trust and a patron of the British Fashion Council, championing emerging talent and safeguarding artisanal heritage for generations to come.
Design Details
The Signature Logo
On November 16, 1985, Perry Ellis marked his daughter’s first birthday with a handwritten envelope addressed to “Miss Tyler Alexandra Ellis.” Years later, that cherished envelope became the foundation of the Tyler Ellis Signature Logo. His handwriting was transformed into the brand’s defining mark, a personal homage that connects father and daughter across time.
The Signature Logo represents continuity, creativity, and legacy. It anchors the brand in a history of design excellence while underscoring Tyler’s vision for the future. Every handbag that bears the name Tyler Ellis carries not only her identity but also a thread of her father’s enduring influence. The Signature Logo is a quiet code of the house, deeply personal, timeless, and true.
Pinecone
During a visit to Vatican City, Tyler encountered the Fontana della Pigna, the monumental bronze pinecone that graces the Pigna Courtyard. That moment became the inspiration for the pinecone, a symbol that has since become the spirit of the Ellis brand.
Across centuries and civilizations, pinecones have represented the third eye, a universal emblem of enlightenment, perfection, and spiritual awakening. The motif has appeared in cultures from ancient Egypt to Renaissance Europe, embodying both beauty and meaning.
Honoring this legacy, Tyler reimagined the pinecone as a modern emblem of her brand. Each begins as a hand-carved wax model that, once approved, is cast into a die to form the brass base. The pieces are then meticulously polished and galvanized into luminous finishes of gold, silver, gunmetal, or rose gold. Applied to zippers, feet, and fasteners, the pinecone transcends ornamentation. It is a miniature sculpture, a talisman of artistry and vision that unites history, symbolism, and craftsmanship in every handbag.
Thayer Blue
The interior of each classic Tyler Ellis handbag is finished with our iconic Thayer Blue lining, a vibrant hue that has become a defining signature of the brand. The story of this color traces back to Tyler’s childhood, when the Blue Violet crayon captured her imagination with its striking hue. Years later, she transformed that memory into a brighter, more radiant shade that reflects her playful beginnings while enhancing the full spectrum of tones in her collections.
Not long after launching her brand, Tyler discovered the work of Yves Klein and was struck by how closely her own blue mirrored his iconic pigment. This serendipitous connection deepened her attachment to the color, and she has since begun collecting Klein’s pieces as a personal source of inspiration.
Offered in satin, leather, and microfiber, Thayer Blue infuses each handbag with an unexpected burst of vibrancy. Beyond its beauty, the brilliant interior makes it easy to find one’s belongings, a detail that blends function with philosophy. Thayer Blue is an intimate signature of the house, personal, distinctive, and timeless.
Handmade in Italy
Nestled between the rushing Arno river and the sun-kissed vineyards of Le Sieci, each Tyler Ellis handbag is brought to life in a multi-generational atelier where time-honored traditions meet modern artistry. Italy has long stood at the pinnacle of luxury leather craftsmanship, and it is here among artisans whose skills have been refined and passed down through generations that our designs take shape.
The making of a Tyler Ellis piece is a slow and deliberate process, often spanning two to three days depending on the silhouette and materials. Satins and crushed velvets are carefully backed to create lasting structure, while leathers and exotics are cut by hand with meticulous precision. Gussets are shaped to preserve the integrity of each form, and edges are sealed and polished in multiple layers until they achieve a flawless finish. Finally, bespoke hardware, from pinecone pulls to custom closures, is individually set by hand, completing a creation that embodies both beauty and durability.
In 2025, Tyler deepened her roots in Italy by acquiring the atelier, a decision born from profound respect for the artisans and their enduring craft. This union ensures that every handbag carries not only the vision of its designer but also the spirit of Italian excellence at its finest. At Tyler Ellis, it is and will always be all about the details.
Sustainability
Sustainability at Tyler Ellis is rooted in respect: for materials, for artisans, and for the craft itself. Each design is produced in small numbers, with many made to order, ensuring that energy and resources are used with intention. This thoughtful approach not only reduces environmental impact but also preserves the artistry and individuality behind every creation.
As a seasonless brand, no material is ever wasted. After each collection, leathers, skins, satins, and velvets are carefully archived to be incorporated into future designs, allowing them to remain part of the creative cycle for years to come. When working with hides, natural scraps are inevitable. Rather than discarding them, we reimagine these cuttings into small leather goods such as cardholders, key fobs, or dog collars, ensuring that every fragment is honored and given purpose.
The commitment extends beyond design. By producing exclusively in Italy, within a single atelier and a trusted network of local suppliers, we keep our footprint small while upholding the country’s unparalleled standards of craftsmanship. Materials are sourced responsibly, chosen for their integrity and longevity, ensuring each handbag is built to be cherished and passed down for generations.
Tyler Ellis also champions innovation, supporting companies developing alternative materials such as apple leather. While not yet a perfect solution, these advancements represent an important step toward progress, and we proudly align ourselves with those striving to redefine sustainability within the luxury industry.
In a world defined by mass production, the brand remains committed to a slower, more deliberate process, one that honors the environment while safeguarding artisanal traditions that are increasingly at risk of disappearing. True luxury is not only found in how a handbag is made, but in the respect with which it is created.
House of Tyler Ellis
Tyler Ellis is a Los Angeles–born designer whose handbags embody quiet luxury, blending timeless elegance with modern sensibility. Rooted in Californian ease and refined through Italian precision, each piece is handmade in Florence by artisans who uphold generations of tradition.
Defined by architectural silhouettes, polished finishes, and purposeful functionality, the designs transcend trends to become modern heirlooms. As a seasonless brand, Tyler Ellis embraces enduring design over fleeting fashion, ensuring each creation remains relevant for years to come. Beloved by celebrities, royals, and tastemakers worldwide, the handbags bring understated sophistication to both everyday moments and evening occasions.
In 2024, Tyler Ellis was honored with the Accessories Council Award for Best Handbag over $1,000. Today, the House of Tyler Ellis continues to grow with an unwavering commitment to intention, artistry, and integrity.
