Perry Ellis

Perry Ellis, a well-known fashion designer born in 1940, founded the brand that bears his name and made a significant impact in the sports and casual wear industry. Despite completing high school and college, Ellis pursued a master's degree in retail and got a job at a trendy Richmond boutique. He then moved to a New York sportswear store, where his talent for design shone through, leading to the creation of a fresh collection in the mid-1970s. This marked the beginning of Perry Ellis' creative journey. His innovative designs for women's sportswear received much praise, prompting Ellis to establish his own label in 1978 under "The Vera Companies." Perry Ellis quickly became synonymous with sportswear excellence in the 1980s, thanks to his unique concepts and global reach. The "Perry Ellis" brand revolutionized sportswear by incorporating sharp details into traditional American styles. Coats, jackets, and flowing culottes were intricately designed to reflect the fashion trends of the early 1980s, embracing the changing gender roles of the era. Offering a range of attire suitable for both work and leisure, the brand includes suits, shirts, polos, underwear, footwear, swimwear, accessories such as hats, socks, and belts, as well as luxurious men's fragrances. Despite Perry Ellis' passing in 1986 due to AIDS, his legacy continues to influence the sports and casual clothing sector. The brand's diverse collection can be found on fragrance websites, major department stores, mail-order companies, and the official "Perry Ellis" website.