Perry Ellis International has extended its license for Nike Swim through 2009 including men's, women's and children's swimwear, performance and casual swimwear products, apparel and swim equipment. This new agreement ensures continuity for Perry Ellis' aggressive growth of the Nike brand, including the opportunity for global exposure at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
PEI Swim Division President Seth Ellison commented: “The extension of our Nike Swim license offers us a platform for long-term growth with one of the world's most recognized brands. We have hired the best talent in the industry to work on the Spring 2007 collection, and we are excited to provide better product to our current account base of sporting goods, department stores and specialty swim accounts. We have also hired an experienced designer to work on our goggles and accessories programs for Spring 2007.”
Ellison added: “We are also excited to work more closely with Nike in a number of areas. Nike's advanced innovation team will ensure that we lead the industry with our performance products. Their U.S. women's apparel team will help connect our products with their women's fitness initiatives. Finally, this new contract will help us grow our team sales business through an expanded offering of products for club and school aquatic programs.”
“We are excited to continue our strong partnership with Perry Ellis and the opportunities for growth,” said Heidi O'Neill, Nike's Vice President of US Apparel. “Both companies are strategically aligned in the US and share in the commitment to deliver superior performance product through design and innovation supporting the broad range of our consumers and the activities they participate in.”
Perry Ellis International also announced that it was expanding its Irvine, Calif. operations to become the West Coast hub for its swim and action sports division. Under the direction of Seth Ellison, the Southern California office will enable the company to draw inspiration from the spirit of the coastal beach culture. The expansion of the company's Orange County office will also give the company access to the large local talent pool of swimwear designers and action sports expertise.
