Ellis, Perry, 1940-1986 (1940-1986)
Dates
- Existence: 1940-1986
Biography
Perry Ellis was born in Churchland, Virginia in 1940. He received a bachelors in Business from Williams and Mary and a masters in Retailing from New York University. The department store Miller and Rhoads hired Ellis to work as a sportswear buyer. Ellis joined the sportswear manufacturing firm John Meyer in 1967. At John Meyer, Ellis worked as a merchandiser, which helped him learn how to select fabrics, construct patterns, and sketch. In 1974, Ellis left John Meyer for Manhattan Industries, where he merchandised the Vera sportswear collection and designed the Portfolio line. Manhattan Industries organized Perry Ellis Sportswear in 1976, with Ellis acting as chairman and head designer. His elevated, all-American sportswear was a hit with both buyers and the fashion elite from the minute his first collection debuted in 1976. His "slouch look" was nonchalant and casual but still looked stylish. In 1984, Levi Strauss & Company hired Ellis to design sportswear for men, women, and children. Ellis received his first of nine Coty Awards in 1979, and was named CFDA Designer of the Year Award in three years later. In 1984, he was named President of the CFDA. Perry Ellis passed away in 1986 due to AIDS-related complications.
Found in 40 Collections and/or Records:
Apparel Industry - Perry Ellis, 1982-1992, 1982-1992
Photocopied, pasted, and laminated articles concerning the apparel firm Perry Ellis, including articles from Crain's New York Business.
CFDA Award 1982/1983, 1982-1983
This folder contains press releases, 16 8x10 black and white photographs of CFDA award winners, and biographies of Norma Kamali, Perry Ellis, Bill Cunningham, and Antonio Lopez.
CFDA Award Winners Bios and Photos 1983, 1983
This folder contains 26 8x10 black and white photographs pertaining to Perry Ellis, a biography of Perry Ellis, press clippings, press release, 2 photos for Norma Kamali, a photo of Antonio Lopez, 2 photos of pieces by Bill Cunningham, and 2 photos of Karl Lagerfeld and his work at Fendi.
CFDA General Info 1984, 1984
This folder contains correspondence, members lists, press clippings, and minutes from the meeting at the Perry Ellis showroom.
CFDA General Info 1985-1988, 1985-1988
This folder contains correspondence, minutes for the meeting at the Bill Blass showroom, press clippings, a CFDA awards invitation, the minutes for the meeting at the Perry Ellis showroom, and a copy of the CFDA bylaws.
CFDA Minutes of Special Meeting of Directors June 26, 1984, 1984
This folder contains members lists, correspondence, and minutes to the meeting at the Perry Ellis showroom.
CFDA Press Kit 1984, 1984
This folder contains press releases, 15 8x10 black and white photographs of Giorgio Armani, Issey Miyake, Perry Ellis, and Bruce Weber, and biographies of designers, for Armani, Miyake, Weber, Diane DeWitt, and Perry Ellis.
CFDA Press Kit 1984, 1984
This folder contains press releases, 15 8x10 black and white photographs of Giorgio Armani, Issey Miyake, Perry Ellis, and Bruce Weber, and biographies of designers, for Armani, Miyake, Weber, Diane DeWitt, and Perry Ellis, and a press kit for Calvin Klein containing 6 8x10 black and white photographs, press releases, and biographies.
March 5-6, 1988, 1988
This folder contains 6 8x10 black and white photographs of designs by Perry Ellis, Don Sayas.
March 26-27, 1988, 1988
This folder contains 11 8x10 black and white photographs of designs by Perry Ellis, Don Sayas