Company Website: http://www.perryellis.com
MIAMI -- (Business Wire)

PEI Licensing, Inc. a wholly owned subsidiary of Perry Ellis International (NASDAQ: PERY) announced today that it has entered into a license agreement with Itochu Prominent USA, to design, manufacture and distribute men’s tailored clothing, including suits, suit separates and sport jackets under the Perry Ellis brand name.

Oscar Feldenkreis, President and COO of Perry Ellis International, commented, “Itochu is an industry leader in the tailored clothing market and the right partner to interpret the essence of the Perry Ellis lifestyle. We are excited about the potential of this agreement and working with one of the world’s largest companies like Itochu will help guarantee a successful launch.”

Under the agreement, Itochu will distribute product within department stores throughout the United States. Initial shipments will begin to hit the selling floor by January 2013.

Jack Kachadurian, President of Itochu Prominent USA, commented, “Itochu Prominent USA LLC is proud to be a part of the Perry Ellis family and looks to the brand to enhance the continued growth of our men’s tailored clothing platform.”

About Perry Ellis International

Perry Ellis International, Inc. is a leading designer, distributor and licensor of a broad line of high quality men's and women's apparel, accessories and fragrances, as well as select children's apparel. The Company's collection of dress and casual shirts, golf sportswear, sweaters, dress pants, casual pants and shorts, jeans wear, active wear, dresses and men's and women's swimwear is available through all major levels of retail distribution. The Company, through its wholly owned subsidiaries, owns a portfolio of nationally and internationally recognized brands, including: Perry Ellis(R), Original Penguin(R) by Munsingwear(R), Jantzen(R), Laundry by Shelli Segal(R), C&C California(R), Rafaella(R), Ben Hogan(R), Grand Slam(R), Savane(R), Axist(R), Manhattan(R), Farah(R), Cubavera(R), the Havanera Co.(R), Centro(R), Solero(R), John Henry(R), Munsingwear(R), Natural Issue(R), Pro Player(R), Axis(R), Tricots St. Raphael(R), Gotcha(R), Girl Star(R), MCD(R), Mondo di Marco(R), Redsand(R), Anchor Blue(R) and Miller's Outpost(R). The Company enhances its roster of brands by licensing trademarks from third parties, including: Nike(R) and Jag(R) for swimwear, and Callaway(R), PGA TOUR(R) and Champions Tour(R) for golf apparel. Additional information on the Company is available at http://www.pery.com.

About Itochu Prominent USA

Itochu Prominent USA LLC is the North American textile arm of Itochu International Inc and global Japanese trading giant Itochu Corporation with $43 billion in trade revenues. Itochu Prominent USA LLC consists of five major trade platforms consisting of twelve divisions with its strength lying in creative design, sourcing, distribution and brand management. Core competent strengths are men's tailored clothing, shirts and sportswear, women's clothing and sportswear, home furnishings and functional accessories.

Safe Harbor Statement

We caution readers that the forward-looking statements (statements which are not historical facts) in this release are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are based on current expectations rather than historical facts and they are indicated by words or phrases such as "anticipate," "believe," "budget," "contemplate," "continue," "could," "estimate," "expect," "guidance," "indicate," "intend," "may," "might," "plan," "possibly," "potential," "predict," "probably," "proforma," "project," "seek," "should," "target," or "will" and similar words or phrases or comparable terminology. We have based such forward-looking statements on our current expectations, assumptions, estimates and projections. While we believe these expectations, assumptions, estimates and projections are reasonable, such forward-looking statements are only predictions and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, many of which are beyond our control. These factors include: general economic conditions, a significant decrease in business from or loss of any of our major customers or programs, anticipated and unanticipated trends and conditions in our industry, including the impact of recent or future retail and wholesale consolidation, recent and future economic conditions, including turmoil in the financial and credit markets, the effectiveness of our planned advertising, marketing and promotional campaigns, our ability to contain costs, disruptions in the supply chain, our future capital needs and our ability to obtain financing, our ability to protect our trademarks, our ability to integrate acquired businesses, trademarks, trade names and licenses, our ability to predict consumer preferences and changes in fashion trends and consumer acceptance of both new designs and newly introduced products, the termination or non-renewal of any material license agreements to which we are a party, changes in the costs of raw materials, labor and advertising, our ability to carry out growth strategies including expansion in international and direct to consumer retail markets, the level of consumer spending for apparel and other merchandise, our ability to compete, exposure to foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, possible disruption in commercial activities due to terrorist activity and armed conflict, and other factors set forth in Perry Ellis International's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Investors are cautioned that all forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, including those risks and uncertainties detailed in Perry Ellis' filings with the SEC. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which are valid only as of the date they were made. We undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect new information or the occurrence of unanticipated events or otherwise.

Contacts:

Perry Ellis International
Miguel Garcia, 305-873-1830

Source: Perry Ellis International