Perry Ellis

Perry Ellis was a popular fashion designer in the 1970s and 1980s before his untimely death in 1986. Born and educated in Virginia, Ellis initially entered the fashion world through the retail side. Earning a master's degree in retailing from New York University, he returned to Virginia to work as a buyer and merchandiser, and eventually co-founded his own retail store. A move back to New York to join a sportswear company eventually led to an opportunity to design a womenswear collection. Although Ellis could not sketch, his experience with clothing and the fashion industry enabled him to crea