Cameo de Bore’: Bold Luxury Handbags

From East St. Louis to the global fashion stage, designer Cameo DeBore’ Phillips is building a handbag brand defined by structure, intention, and legacy.

The escalators hummed. Conversations floated upward. Fragrance lingered in the air. At the center of Neiman Marcus, beneath glass and light, Cameo de Bore’ clutches held their ground. Structured. Commanding. Unmistakable.

For founder and principal designer Cameo DeBore’ Phillips, the moment felt electric.

“It was beautiful. Polished. Intentional,” Cameo said. “To see my work placed in the heart of the store, where everyone passes through, was powerful.”

The Black History Month Showcase, curated by Black Creatives in the Lou, brought independent designers to one of the most iconic luxury retail spaces in the country. For Cameo, this moment was the result of discipline, faith, and quiet persistence.

The Women Who Set the Standard

In East St. Louis, Cameo’s story unfolds in a home dripping with refined elegance. “I grew up around beautifully adorned women,” she smiles. “My mother and my grandmother had furs, tailored outfits, and silks. I soaked it all in.”

As she sat on the floor of her grandmother’s home, tearing pages from Spiegel catalogs, Cameo was studying color, structure, and tailoring. She understood clothing could communicate. “I was the tomboy on the playground in silk blouses and suede skirts,” she laughed. “Sliding into second base, but dressed.”

The Birth of the Brand

The brand’s origin came from a simple frustration. While watching shows like Girlfriends and Sex and the City, Cameo became fascinated by the structured clutches worn by strong, modern women.

“I couldn’t find anything with presence,” she said. “Everything was small or floppy. I wanted something bold. I wanted structure.” At 5’8″, she wanted a bag that matched her energy. “So I built what I couldn’t find.”

Founded in 2015, Cameo de Bore’ Clutches quickly became known for its signature scale and bold sophistication.

The Turning Point

The brand did not fully come into focus until loss reshaped her life. When her mother, Sheri, was diagnosed with stage four cancer, Cameo stepped away from her business to become her caregiver. After her mother’s passing, she returned with a newfound clarity.

“There is a before and after,” she said. “I became fearless. I understood my value.”

Her work became a tribute. Every collection is legacy. “She’s woven into everything,” Cameo said. “I want to build something that would make her proud.”

“I became fearless. I understood my value.”

– Cameo

The Crafted Global Reach

Cameo sources luxury materials from around the world, prioritizing craftsmanship, structure, and individuality. Her collections are produced in limited runs. When pieces sell out, they are gone.

Her clientele now spans continents. Customers in Paris, Nigeria, Canada, and the United Kingdom purchase directly through her website. Her work has appeared at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, New York’s Full Figured Fashion Week, and Paris Fashion Week. It has also been featured in US Weekly, Harlem Fashion Row, Bossip Magazine, Fashion Bomb Daily, and The Shade Room, as well as on Bravo’s Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.

The Community and Collaboration

Through Black Creatives in the Lou, Cameo gushes about her relationships and loves their collaboration without competition. “We celebrate each other,” she said. “We advocate for each other. There’s room for all of us.”

This community has unlocked new doors for her. Cameo is preparing for upcoming showcases at New York and Paris Fashion Week, consciously choosing to collaborate with fellow independent designers throughout the presentations.

When asked what she hopes people experience when they see her work, the answer was immediate. “I want them to stop. I want them to say, ‘THAT’s a bag.'” She laughs, sharing that strangers regularly stop her on city streets or in the parking lots. She hears, “That’s a bad bag!”

Those moments are so much more meaningful than celebrity placements. “I want women to carry these for generations,” she says emphatically. “But I also want them to be excited to carry them today.” Her message is crystal clear. “Invest in independent designers. Celebrate us. Give us room to be great.”

From East St. Louis to the global fashion stage, Cameo de Bore’ is building a brand defined by structure, soul, and intention. And if the energy inside Neiman Marcus was any indication, the world is paying attention.