Kellwood Company and Perry Ellis International Inc announced the signing of a licensing agreement for Kellwood Company's Kellwood Distribution Division, the U.S. based marketing arm of Smart Shirts Ltd., to market a men's dress shirt collection under the Perry Ellis and Perry Ellis Portfolio brand names.
The new collection will combine Perry Ellis's neo-traditional, modern classics design with Smart Shirts' proven ability to make and deliver high quality dress shirts. The new line will be available at major department stores and specialty stores throughout the United States for fall 2008.
"Perry Ellis has a track record of creating fashionable menswear that marries innovative design with contemporary styling," stated Robert C. Skinner, Jr., chairman, president and chief executive officer of Kellwood Company. "Combining the brand power and design excellence of Perry Ellis with Smart Shirts' manufacturing expertise creates an exciting opportunity for Kellwood in the men's apparel market."
"By blending our strengths and resources in this new relationship, we can produce products that will meet and exceed the expectations of both consumers and retailers," said Michael Surella, president of Kellwood Distribution Division. "We are delighted with our new partnership and the opportunities it provides."
"We are pleased to join with Kellwood and Smart Shirts to maximize the Perry Ellis dress shirt business. Smart Shirts is one of the largest apparel manufacturers in the world, with proven capabilities in production and design, which will enable them to quickly deliver the newest trends and ideas to our customers.
They exemplify quality and product excellence, making them an industry leader and the obvious partner for the iconic Perry Ellis dress shirt," said George Feldenkreis, chief executive officer of Perry Ellis International.
The new collection will combine Perry Ellis's neo-traditional, modern classics design with Smart Shirts' proven ability to make and deliver high quality dress shirts. The new line will be available at major department stores and specialty stores throughout the United States for fall 2008.
"Perry Ellis has a track record of creating fashionable menswear that marries innovative design with contemporary styling," stated Robert C. Skinner, Jr., chairman, president and chief executive officer of Kellwood Company. "Combining the brand power and design excellence of Perry Ellis with Smart Shirts' manufacturing expertise creates an exciting opportunity for Kellwood in the men's apparel market."
"By blending our strengths and resources in this new relationship, we can produce products that will meet and exceed the expectations of both consumers and retailers," said Michael Surella, president of Kellwood Distribution Division. "We are delighted with our new partnership and the opportunities it provides."
"We are pleased to join with Kellwood and Smart Shirts to maximize the Perry Ellis dress shirt business. Smart Shirts is one of the largest apparel manufacturers in the world, with proven capabilities in production and design, which will enable them to quickly deliver the newest trends and ideas to our customers.
They exemplify quality and product excellence, making them an industry leader and the obvious partner for the iconic Perry Ellis dress shirt," said George Feldenkreis, chief executive officer of Perry Ellis International.
