Perry Ellis: Classic Never Dies

Perry Ellis proves that chic style isn’t just for women. Launched in 1978, this American sportswear collection thrives on clean-cut classic stylings with a modern twist. Deceased since 1986, Fashion Designer Perry Ellis’ vision is alive and well through the brand’s Creative Director, John Crocco. Crocco states in an interview with Fashion News Live, “I’m always trying to be respectful of the DNA of the brand, which was created in the late 70’s and early 80’s. I refer to our archives quite often.”

Created in 1978, Perry Ellis Sportswear took the fashion industry by storm. Born and raised in Plymouth, Virginia, Ellis was inspired by his large family home that was bursting at the seams with vintage clothing that was passed around by his mother, aunts, and grandmother. After graduating high school, Ellis studied Business Administration at the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia. He then ventured to earn his master’s degree in merchandising at NYU. After making a huge impression as being a top buyer for Miller & Rhoades, a now defunct department store chain in Virginia, Ellis was promoted to merchandiser and blazed his path through New York. After the death of John Meyer, the man responsible for Ellis’ promotion, Ellis began working as a sportswear merchandiser for the Vera Companies. With permission from the president of the Vera Companies (a company, not associate with wedding fashion designer, Vera Wang, that joins with designers, retailers, and manufacturers together), Ellis generated his own clothing line under the name Perry Ellis Portfolio. By 1978, it was time for Ellis to produce his own design company. Thus, Perry Ellis Sportswear was born. According to Ellis, he wanted his brand to “take traditional ideas and make them modern.” And, that’s exactly what he achieved. According to the Perry Ellis International website, http://www.pery.com, throughout the past 30 years the Perry Ellis brand has expanded to include “Perry Ellis, Perry Ellis America, and Perry Ellis Portfolio.” The designer’s website describes his design style, “Ellis made clothes that were relaxed and unpretentious, yet sophisticated and timeless.”

Frequented by actors Paul Rudd and Jerry O’Connell, Perry Ellis is worn by the casual and relaxed gentleman with modern and elegant nuances. This label is sportswear fashions dipped in classic Americana. Although world renowned for making clean and casual menswear, the Perry Ellis brand has an array of men and women fragrances. Also, Perry Ellis designs women swimwear.

For the quality of clothing that Perry Ellis ensures, buying items from the label won’t break the bank. What more can you as for? Purchasing Perry Ellis is an investment for quality clothing that will be in constant rotation in any man’s closet, due to the label’s timelessness.

So, you have conquered the fashion and merchandising industry…what’s next? John Crocco says it best in an interview with Chance TV, “It’s definitely a design challenge to make something new. And that’s what makes the job fun. I look at it as a challenge; sort of what am I going to do next. So I travel and do what I need to do to get inspired.”

-Shantice Edwards