PERRY ELLIS RESPONDS TO GLOBALIZATION WITH NEW COLLECTION
Courtesy photos by Eli Schmidt
For his spring/summer 2017 collection, Perry Ellis creative director Michael Maccari is responding to the current social and political themes of globalization, cultural synthesis and diversity.
“Each season we begin with something new,” says Maccari. “Sometimes our direction is extremely clear. This season, there are so many changes in the world, that we are embracing difference and new perspectives. Similar to the way Perry Ellis approached his first collections in the mid-70s, my collection is inspired by what’s going on right now.”
Departing from previous seasons’ reliance on classic American sportswear pieces, Maccari shifts his focus toward relaxed activewear, playing with oversized shapes and performance fabrics. The designer mixes activewear with suit separates, to create collages, both in shape and fabrication. He focuses on vivid botanical patterns overlaid with racing stripe-inspired graphic prints. These patterns are layered―one on top of the other―creating another mix of contrasting prints and textures.
Maccari notes that “the process of bringing conflicting ideas together is more valuable than the ideas alone. Collaging supports the thought that ideas in the abstract are as valuable as the end result, so I’m exploring this concept and how it affects our daily wardrobe choices.”
Maccari introduces new silhouettes to the Signature collection, including hybrid bomber/track jackets with extended collars, new iterations of joggers and camp shirts in more fluid fabrics. Updates to his tailored offering include various linen blends in wools and stretch fabrics; and performance fabrics have been incorporated into a number of transitional outerwear pieces.