Kerry Washington and Dee Ocleppo reveal 'purple purse' collaboration

Kerry Washington, the Emmy-nominated actress known for playing political fixer powerhouse Olivia Pope on ABC's 'Scandal', arrived last Thursday at the Plaza Hotel to host a cocktail event with handbag designer Dee Ocleppo and Ocleppo's husband, American fashion design icon Tommy Hilfiger. The event was used to unveil the Allstate Foundation Purple Purse, a limited-edition purple purse designed to bring attention to domestic and financial abuse. Washington, who represents the foundation, teamed up with Ocleppo to design the one-of-a-kind crossbody strap crocodile-embossed clutch with rose gold tone hardware and suede lining.

This year, Saks Fifth Avenue has signed on as a retail partner to sell the bag in stores and online, with 25 percent of the proceeds going toward Allstate Foundation. For Washington, who's become a household name off of playing one of the most powerful women in Washington D.C. on television, this bag was more about inspiring and uplifting women than just creating great fashion.

In her speech at the cocktail party, Washington said, "This was an opportunity to work in fashion in a way that wasn’t about making people feel uncool because they can’t afford something, or that they have to measure up. It was about making women understand their power. This purse is not about being an ‘It’ bag. The bag is about empowering women.”