Perry Ellis (brand) facts for kids
Perry Ellis is a well-known American clothing brand. It creates stylish clothes for people of all ages. The brand was started by a talented designer named Perry Ellis. Today, it is owned by a company called Perry Ellis International.
In 2003, Perry Ellis joined forces with another company called Salant Corporation. Salant used to make clothes for Perry Ellis. This merger brought together many different clothing brands under one big company.
Contents
The Story of Perry Ellis
How the Brand Started
Perry Ellis, the designer, began his own fashion company, Perry Ellis International, in 1978. He opened his first showroom in New York City on a famous street called Seventh Avenue. As the main designer and leader, he launched the Perry Ellis Menswear Collection.
Perry Ellis was very talented and won many awards for his designs. He received eight Coty Awards between 1979 and 1984. He also won a special award from the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) in 1983. He even served as the president of the CFDA in 1984.
Perry Ellis's Design Style
People who worked with Perry Ellis described his style as "classic with a twist." This means he took classic clothing styles and added something new and unexpected to them. Perry Ellis himself said he wanted to design clothes that were "more obtainable, more relaxed, but ultimately more stylish and witty." He wanted his clothes to be easy to wear but still look great and have a bit of fun.
Changes and New Designers
After Perry Ellis passed away in 1986, his friend Robert L. McDonald took over the company. McDonald worked hard to keep the fashion house going. He brought in a new, talented designer named Marc Jacobs. Marc Jacobs later became a very famous designer for other big fashion brands. He designed for Perry Ellis from 1988 to 1993.
In 1999, a company called Supreme Inc. bought the Perry Ellis brand. Supreme Inc. then changed its name to Perry Ellis International. This company grew a lot, and by the 2020s, it was making nearly $1 billion in sales each year. In 2003, Perry Ellis International bought Salant, the company that used to make Perry Ellis clothes. Since then, Perry Ellis International has bought many other clothing companies, like Original Penguin and the golf brand Ping Collection.
Brands Under Perry Ellis International
Perry Ellis International owns many different clothing brands. For example, in 2002, Salant acquired Axis Clothing Corp., which made men's sweaters, pants, jeans, and shirts. This shows how the company has grown to include a wide variety of clothing styles and brands.
Awards and Special Recognitions
- Perry Ellis won eight Coty American Fashion Critics' Awards during his career.
- He received the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) Fashion Award in 1981.
- In 1986, a special award was created in his honor called the Perry Ellis Award. It is now known as the Swarovski Emerging Talent Award. This award celebrates new and upcoming fashion designers. Famous winners include Zac Posen in 2004 and Derek Lam in 2005.
- In 1986, Perry Ellis was given a Special Tribute at the CFDA awards.
- In 2002, a special white bronze plaque was placed on New York's Seventh "Fashion" Avenue to honor Perry Ellis.
Perry Ellis on the Red Carpet
The Perry Ellis brand has often been seen on the "red carpet," which is where celebrities walk at big events like movie premieres or award shows. Perry Ellis has teamed up with Vanity Fair magazine to host parties for popular TV shows. They have celebrated shows like Heroes in 2007, 30 Rock in 2008, and The Office in 2010. In 2011, they celebrated Parks and Recreation.
Many celebrities have worn Perry Ellis clothes. Joe Manganiello from the TV show True Blood is a fan. He once said, "I always told myself if 'I made it,' I'd look the part." Other stars like Chris Colfer from Glee and NFL player Hank Baskett have also worn Perry Ellis outfits to events. Even TV personalities like Jason Kennedy have been seen in the brand's attire.
See also
- Perry Ellis
- Perry Ellis International
- Fashion in the United States
