• May 30, 2007

Perry Ellis International has licensed its name to L.A.-based footwear manufacturer and marketer ACI International Inc. to make and distribute footwear in the U.S. bearing the Perry Ellis marquee.

The Perry Ellis and Perry Ellis Portfolio footwear lines will focus initially on dress, city and dress-casual areas. The products will be distributed in major department stores such as Nordstrom's, Bloomingdale's and Macy's by spring.

Perry Ellis International has also inked a separate deal with ACI giving the Perry Ellis label to ACI's Original Penguin marquee.

Dave Frazier, former VP/sales and marketing for Lacoste Footwear in the U.S. and Ralph Lauren Footwear marketer, will become president of ACI's Original Penguin footwear division.

The Original Penguin footwear line will launch at selected retailers in the fall, followed by a broader launch in the spring. Distribution includes specialty footwear stores and department stores such as Nordstrom's, Barney's and Urban Outfitters.

--Karl Greenberg