Perry Ellis: An American Original Hardcover – Illustrated, October 22, 2013

An absolutely terrific book chronicling the life and work of one of America 's most creative designers ! I loved it.

This was a fun read, lots of pictures, excellent format, great price.

An excellent book on a wonderful subject.

I love this book. Great insight, beautiful photographs, beautifully layed out and (yes, I notice this stuff) fantastic paper quality and typography.If you care at all about American fashion and where people like Michael Kors, Ralph Lauren, Marc Jacobs and Isaac Mirahi got their inspiration from... it's Perry Ellis. One of the first American designers to bring a freshness and breeziness to American style -- his designs had optimism, style, sportiness all in a very distinctive "Perry Ellis" look. Jeffrey Banks (who also knows from whence he speaks) reminds us all why this designer matters, and why he is in the pantheon of American greats. Banks also tracks down the co-workers, models and even the money guys who all helped Perry Ellis create his distinctive look. Slightly OT, the photographs are beautiful -- look for a very young Cindy Crawford in what was probably one of her first runway shows. There is a real innocence and exhuberance in the photos that I loved.Perry Ellis is a true talent missed today. This book tells us why.

Unquestionably this examination of Perry Ellis’s life has been a long time coming as so many of us in fashion tend to forget so many who were so vastly influential, then and now, but have been swept aside because, after all, fashion is all about what’s new. This lovingly told tale is remembered by those who were there and those who participated in his life at a time when, as Grace Coddington once said’ “I liked it better when fashion came first.” And so it was that when Perry Ellis was peaking and fashion was at its zenith as was creativity in general.... FOR THE COMPLETE REVIEW [...]

For anyone interested in style, particularly during the vibrant 1980's, this book is for you. Perry Ellis was an innovator in both men's and women's clothing, using unique blends of fabric and construction to craft timeless style. This book is an elegant, large-size coffee table book that is both enjoyable to read and to flip through for inspiration whenever the mood strikes.