HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MR. PERRY ELLIS from Peachy Deegan and everyone at Whom You Know
Happy Birthday Perry Ellis, Mr. Visionaire to Classic American Sportswear!
Perry’s personal history is that of an everyday American dream. Born on March 3, 1940, Perry Ellis began his career in department store retailing. After working as a design director for a well-known sportswear firm, Perry was given the opportunity to create his own division, which he named Portfolio. He quickly earned a reputation for fresh, innovative ideas by creating sophisticated and stylish clothes that were to become the "new classics" for every American woman.
By 1980, his confidence directed him to men's sportswear and the creation of the Perry Ellis Men’s Wear Collection, which in turn revolutionized men's casual clothing in America. He became known for his non-traditional, modern classics, and he was lauded for creating innovative fashion with "a twist".
As Perry's reputation spread, success continued to follow, and his company grew quickly to apply his signature design talent to a long list of fashionable products. This lead to the creation of Perry Ellis International, an enterprise which included: the Perry Ellis Collection, Perry Ellis Portfolio and Perry Ellis America labels. Perry was honored with many fashion and design awards, among them the prestigious Coty Fashion Critic's Award for Women's Fashion and the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) Award for Men's Fashion Design.
Perry Ellis had a prophetic vision – His style philosophy , that "...youth, beauty and humor are qualities that can exist at any age," has stood the test of time and remain potent in the brand that bears his name today.
The school of Perry Ellis International has been the training ground for some of America’s brightest designers, too. Marc Jacobs designed for Perry Ellis Women’s from 1988 to 1993. (At age 15, Marc met Perry while working as a stock boy in New York’s trendy Charivari boutique). Patrick Robinson, now the lead designer at Gap, Inc., was creative director for Perry Ellis Women’s in 2003. Isaac Mizrahi landed a part-time position at Perry Ellis while attending Parsons School of Design, and assumed a full-time role after graduating. Isaac worked long hours with Perry and was immersed in every aspect of the industry. Nina Garcia, now the Fashion Director at Marie Claire, even began her career at Perry Ellis in the public relations department.
Today, Creative Director John Crocco, continues to enhance what is now commonly referred to as “American Sportswear.” John is the kind of designer whose intense focus has provided Perry Ellis Men’s Wear with it’s timeless sophistication and understated appeal. John most recently showed the Fall/Winter 2010 Collection at New York Fashion Week on February 15th. The collection is true to the classic and easy nature of Perry Ellis sportswear, but John’s tones and palates this season are richer, darker and more seductive than ever before.
As the Perry Ellis brand continues to evolve and define American sportswear, we nod and raise a toast to the man who started it all and inspires us season-to-season.
Happy Birthday, Mr. Perry Ellis.
