Perry Ellis was born in Virginia on March 3, 1940. His parents were Edwin and Winifred Rountree Ellis. His fashion career started after graduating his master’s degree in retailing in New York University in the 60’s. He went back to Virginia to start department store retailing as a buyer and merchandiser which helped him gain vast knowledge in retail and fashion business. Perry Ellis was even a co-founder of a retails store named A Sunny Day during those times. After a while he joined John Meyer, a sportswear company located in New York. By mid-70’s, The Vera Companies, Perry Ellis employer wanted him to design a collection for their already established polyester double-knit pantsuits line. Around 1976, Perry Ellis introduced his first ever Women’s Sportswear collection which he called “Portfolio“. Albeit his lack of sketching skills, Perry Ellis was knowledgeable in the intricacies of fashion and what Women want in thing things they wear. Perry Ellis signature style of clean-cut and casual earned him a lot of praises from critics and consumers alike.

By 1978, he and The Vera Companies founded the Perry Ellis International which leads to his Seventh Avenue showroom. Success kept pouring in which eventually landed in introducing the Perry Ellis Menswear Collection, known and admired by consumers for it’s modern classic and non-traditional styles. The collection expanded into shoes, perfumes, accessories and even furs. It was in the 80’s that the Perry Ellis trademark evolved in other labels namely Perry Ellis Collection and Perry Ellis Portfolio. It was in 1984 that Perry Ellis collaborated with Levis Strauss. Between the year of 1979 and 1984, Perry Ellis received 8 Coty Awards.

It was also around the 80’s when Perry Ellis’ health was suffering. An aide had to help him accept his award in January 1986 from the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA). An award he also received in 1983 and served as President. May 8th of 1986 was his last runway show by making a brief appearance supported by 2 people which prevented him from doing his signature skip at the end of the runway. Perry Ellis was rushed to the hospital after that night where he fell into a coma. He died 2 weeks later.

An award called Perry Ellis Awards was created in 1986 which is now called Swarovski Emerging Talent Award. It honors emerging talented Men and Women fashion designers. Some of the award recipients include Zac Posen, Derek Lam and Trovata, just to name a few.

The white bronze plaque you see in the picture is embedded on the sidewalk of New York’s Seventh Fashion Avenue located between 41st Street to 35th Street to honor Perry Ellis contribution in the fashion industry.

Shop at Perry Ellis online store and check the newly built Perry Ellis blog.

(Image : Newscom, Wikipedia)

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Perry Now will also feature exclusive behind-the-scenes videos as well as informative commentaries Perry Ellis Creative Director John Crocco. Tricks and tips on topics like suits, weekend essentials and other Men’s Fashion topics that I’m sure you will all appreciate to read in a blog format.

Other things to look forward to from Perry Now includes contests, Perry Ellis Swim/James Patterson promotion, videos and twitter event coverage.

To start you all off, here is an ongoing contest:

Make Me Over Contest : Send a before and after picture of yourself with a 200-word essay stating why you need a fall look makeover. Submit your entry to Colleen Adams at colleen.adams@pery.com no later than Monday, August 31st, midnight. You must read the official rules for this Make Me Over contest. 10 winners will be picked which wil be announced on September 15th 2009.

(Image : Perry Now Screenshot)

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Diwon 2010 Lookbook

Diwon 2010 Lookbook

Diwon 2010 Lookbook

Diwon 2010 Lookbook

Diwon is couture, edgy, luxurious and opinionated. Words alone should never be enough when describing Diwon. We convey a feeling, a presence so strong and yet so ephemeral. It’s the aura that emanates from our decadent pieces that defines the Diwon Man.

Diwon exude’s imperialist flare, aristocratic attitude, the untaught honor and unlearned dignity of trendsetters. The innate sense of sovereignty, resonating from within, and emanating without. Diwon is fashionably ruthless, our pieces provide an alter-ego that speaks to their desires for authority and freedom.

All aspects refined, everything pure and exquisite, Diown man appreciates the fine-tuning and precision involved in fashion. Every piece is analyzed section by section, taken apart and put back together, thus achieving legitimate luxury, ready for close scrutiny. Whether it’s their handmade suits and dress shoes or sneakers and jackets, everything is perfected through their obsession to detail.

The line promises quality starting from 5 button suit to relaxed leather jackets from the highest quality of leather. As well as superfine wool to raw denim, premium calfskin and pure cashmere. The cohesive 2010 Spring/summer collection features every staple item in a Man’s wardrobe. Visit Diwon.com for more details.

(Image : Dikon)

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Andrew Chrisitan Show-It Line

Andrew Christian Show-It Line

Andrew Christian Show-It Line

The models and photographer Gregory Frye shot this Andrew Christian ad for 3 days at Andrew Christian world headquarters in Los Angeles.

I think it’s safe to assume that Andrew Christian knows how to promote his collection. The “Show-It” line has a comfy cup that gently lifts and help enhance a man’s best assets. It comes in brief, boxer-brief, jock underwear styles and swim trunks and even bikini cuts.

Well I hope Martin, Kevin, and Max from Sweden help with the sales.

(Images : Andrew Christian )

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Rick Owens

Here are some of his rules that I find interesting, agree with, and what have you….

2. Working out is modern couture. No outfit is going to make you look or feel as good as having a fit body. Buy less clothing and go to the gym instead.

No matter how “mean” that sounds, it’s quite the truth.

3. I’ve lived in Paris for six years, and I’m sorry to say that the Ugly American syndrome still exists. Sometimes you just want to say “Stop destroying the landscape with your outfit.” Still, from a design standpoint, I’m tempted to redo the fanny pack. I look at it as a challenge—it’s something to react against.

Yes, I react against fanny packs as well. Don’t redo it. Just throw ‘em away, heh.

6.There’s something a little too chatterboxy about color. Right now I want black, for its sharpness and punctuation.

That’s true but a Pop of Color couldn’t hurt once in a while. It depends on your mood and the occasion, I guess.

10. It’s funny—whenever someone talks about rules, I just want to break them. I recoil from the whole idea of rules.

Well, isn’t that interesting. Check out the rest of Rick Owens Rules of Style at DETAILS.

(Source: DETAILS)(Image : Newscom)

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Designers On The Verge

Gone are the days when American designers are known for polo shirts, khakis, navy blazers, and solid staples styles. DETAILS magazine considers these 4 new designers from New York as the vanguard of American Fashion.

Patrick Ervell, 30, “My philosophy has never been about doing a major seasonal shift—it’s about gradually developing the collection.”

Adam Kimmel, 29, “It’s good to have fun as long as the clothes are kept in a masculine context.”

Robert Geller, 31, “I make clothes that have strength, which is very important for men.”

Alejandro Ingelmo, 34, “When I can’t think, can’t design, I walk around the city. I see the people walking and I see all this movement and the traffic and I’m very influenced by it.”

More information about Patrik Ervell, Alejandro Ingelmo, Robert Geller, and Adam Kimmel and their styles, respectively, can be found at DETAILS magazine.

(Photo Credit/Source: Jennifer Livingston for DETAILS)

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1. Justin Timberlake (Pop Star, Actor, etc)
2. Mark Ronson (DJ, Producer)
3. Alexi Lubomirski (Photographer)
4. André Balazs (Hotelier, Scene Magnet)
5. Kanye West (Pop Musician, Aspiring Designer)
6. Sid Mashburn (and staff) (Haberdasher, Southern Gentleman)
7. T.I. (World-class MC)
8. Glenn O’Brien (GQ’s Style Guy)
9. Jason Schwartzman (Actor, Indie Rocker)
10. Ed Ruscha (and son, Eddie) (Artist, L.A. Icon)

Do you agree with the list? Noticed now GQ consciously avoided picking other obvious names in the Hollywood and Music biz besides JT, Kanye and T.I.?

Visit GQ website to read why they think that these are the Top 10 Most Stylish Men In America.

(Image : Newscom)

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Scott Sternberg

2. Talking about what brand you’re wearing is gay in the bad way. Just keep quiet and play dumb if someone asks. Talking about what a great deal you got on the aforementioned item is worse. If you must, tell your mom, because she has sale empathy and will take your victory as her own. It’s sick.

This would only work if you’re a woman and having a shopping and fashion conversation with your girlfriends. It’s a totally different story with Men.

4. Cigarettes are a vile, dirty habit. Joints, on the other hand, are perfectly acceptable.

Wow, really? My question is more on the joints statement by the way.

8. It’s just not cool to fart on a plane, even if everyone’s ears are plugged from the altitude and they can’t hear where it came from. Heed my warning: Airplane-fart karma is a bitch, and you will find yourself at the receiving end on a sleepless transcontinental red-eye soon enough.

Now that’s what I call a RULE . To read all of Scott Sternberg’s 10 Rules Of Style, visit Details.com.

(Image : DETAILS)

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So, which shirtless designer do you prefer? I happen to think they both look great. I was going to pick Giorgio Armani for having the confidence to wear a bikini on a beach. Dude, he looks great for his age. BUT, I am fascinated with Christian Audigier’s tattoo on his back. I mean talk about advertising, . The Ed Hardy designer unequivocally loves himself and his brand.

(Images : Bauer-Griffin)

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Tom Ford shared his insights regarding suits, patterns, jewelry, Botox, earwax, and more but one thing stood out for me.

There’s one indulgence every man should try in his lifetime: If you’re straight, sleep with a man at least once, and if you’re gay, don’t go through life without sleeping with a woman. Either way, you might be surprised at how natural it will feel if you can get past the mind-f**K of stereotypes. In the end, it’s just another person that you are relating to in a physical way.

Um, yes, Tom Ford said that. Well, according to DETAILS anyway and I don’t see any reason why the magazine would print something like that otherwise.

There is definitely one thing Tom Ford is not, and that’s boring. Read Tom Ford’s 10 Rules Of Style at DETAILS.

(Image : Newscom)

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