This September the first collaboration collection between Perry Ellis and Duckie Brown will be shown during New York Fashion Week. When I first heard the news my initial reaction was that this is a very unique pair up. Perry Ellis is a classic American brand that offers men basics. Duckie Brown is a quirky brand that offers men unique pieces. This fashion mashup could be good for both brands, allowing the Perry Ellis brand to appeal to a younger crowd, and Duckie Brown to appeal to a larger crowd by being slightly more commercial. Daniel Silver and Steven Cox, designers of Duckie Brown, seem to have done their research by really aiming for renewing the idea of khaki that the Perry Ellis brand was and is still known for. The collection will also include polka dots, shades of pink, and simple pieces with minimal hardware.
Often times when brands publish that they are attempting to appeal to a younger market, it's being read by people who are not exactly the younger market. So from my perspective, I think the combination of the two could be very successful. If done right, the pieces will be unique while still appealing to the masses, but the styling of the runway show should really focus on the younger market. The ones who look at runway show images are the younger men. Give them excitement and you'll give them everything.
(Images courtesy of WWD. Top two images are from the new fall campaign, bottom image is a look at the new collection showing this September at New York Fashion Week.)
