Perry Ellis International (NASDAQ:PERY) announced yesterday that it has signed a licensing agreement with S.A.R.L. de Gestion Pierre Cardin to source, sell and distribute the Pierre Cardin® brand for men’s sportswear, except for woven shirts, in the U.S., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. This is a five year agreement, starting in 2010.

“The addition of an iconic brand such as Pierre Cardin, with its amazing heritage, worldwide recognition and enormous untapped potential, creates new and exciting growth opportunities for Perry Ellis International,” George Feldenkreis, Chairman and CEO of Perry Ellis International, commented.

“Pierre Cardin remains one of the best known fashion brands in the world today. We are thrilled to partner with Perry Ellis International – a worldwide fashion leader for the U.S. market,” said Edouard Saint Bris, International License Manager at S.A.R.L. de Gestion Pierre Cardin. “This partnership will allow the Pierre Cardin brand to reach its full potential in the largest consumer market in the world. We are looking forward to a long and mutually beneficial partnership.”

Perry Ellis International will distribute the brand in department stores starting next January.

About Perry Ellis International

Perry Ellis International, Inc. is a leading designer, distributor and licensor of a broad line of high quality men's and women's apparel, accessories, and fragrances. The Company's collection of dress and casual shirts, golf sportswear, sweaters, dress and casual pants and shorts, jeans wear, active wear and men's and women's swimwear is available through all major levels of retail distribution. The Company, through its wholly owned subsidiaries, owns a portfolio of nationally and internationally recognized brands including Perry Ellis®, Jantzen®, Laundry by Shelli Segal®, C&C California®, Cubavera®, Munsingwear®, Savane®, Original Penguin® by Munsingwear, Grand Slam®, Natural Issue®, Pro Player®, the Havanera Co.®, Axis®, Tricots St. Raphael®, Gotcha®, Girl Star®, MCD® John Henry®, Mondo di Marco®, Redsand®, Manhattan®, Axist® and Farah®. The Company enhances its roster of brands by licensing trademarks from third parties including Dockers® for outerwear, Nike® and JAG® for swimwear, and Callaway®, PING® and PGA TOUR® for golf apparel. Additional information on the Company is available at http://www.pery.com.

About Pierre Cardin

Sometimes visionary Dressmaker, sometimes inveterate Businessman. Pierre Cardin is a personality, an inescapable brand in the fashion of the last fifty years.

First tailor of the house Christian Dior during his opening in 1947, Pierre Cardin so participates in the success of the new-look. He leaves three years later to base his own house. In 1953, his first collection presents coats and suits of an impeccable cut, associating inventiveness and sense of the detail. The line for man launched in 1958, revolutionizes the men fashion. Here is defined a new criteria : comfort and elegance. Through a licensing system, this allows him to adapt his concept to the ambient market, placing him the first one to the world in number of licenses as well as in sales volume.

Forerunner, Pierre Cardin was the first Designer to become established in China, to open his own theatre “L’ESPACE CARDIN”, to take control of the Maxim’s de Paris brand name, to enter the French Academy of Arts, to be appointed as UNESCO Ambassador.

Innovator, he democratizes the products of the fashion without giving up his strength of invention.

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You can learn more about Pierre Cardin in the fashion designer definition section.

Pierre Cardin Collections
Pierre Cardin Fall Fashions
Pierre Cardin Fashion Week
Pierre Cardin News
Pierre Cardin Profiles
Pierre Cardin Runway
Pierre Cardin Spring Fashions

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