Cubavera®, a Member of the Perry Ellis International Family of Brands, Celebrates its 10th Anniversary

Cubavera®, a member of the Perry Ellis International (NASDAQ:PERY) family of brands, announced today it is celebrating its 10 year anniversary. The menswear brand, renowned for translating the sabor/flavor and vibrancy of the Latin lifestyle into modern styles popular with multi-cultural and cross-generational consumers, is proud to celebrate this milestone.

The guayabera shirt originated in Cuba over 200 years ago. Spanish immigrants in Cuba designed the shirt in the early 1800s. Farmers who sold their fruits near the Spanish colony city of Trinidad wore the first versions of guayaberas. Locals called these vendors "guayaberos", a reference to the tart indigenous fruit guayaba (guava) that provided their sole source of income. There is some debate as to whether the shirt originated in Mexico or perhaps the Philippines, but this only adds to the legend of this unique cultural icon.

The guayabera is an iconic shirt symbolic of Latin culture. Guayaberas come in all shapes and sizes – cotton, linen, with embroidery and pockets. They can be worn at any casual or formal settings such as weddings. Since its inception the Cubavera brand has taken authentic fundamentals from the traditional guayabera, and fused it with innovative fabrics and design for a new twist on a traditional staple. The line has developed from its signature shirts into a collection offering a variety of suit separates, shirts, jackets, pants and shorts. Design inspiration represents cool, clean and relaxed elements combined with innovation, uniqueness and colorful appeal.

Chairman and CEO George Feldenkreis, who has been referred to as the “El Rey de las Guayaberas/ The Guayabera King,” first manufactured guayaberas in 1967 under the label Romani. With the explosion of the Latin market, the company decided to go back to their origins and address this untapped niche market by launching Cubavera in 2000, reintroducing the guayabera with authenticity fused with modern fashion and design progression.

Mr. Feldenkreis, will be celebrating with his staff of over 2000 employees worldwide by asking the entire company to wear Cubavera on Friday, April 16th 2010, marking the brands 10 year anniversary.

“The way customers have embraced Cubavera illustrates the integration of Hispanic immigrants into this very welcoming host country, and we have been at the forefront of this growth,” commented Mr. Feldenkreis. “I am proud to see Cubavera being worn by such a diverse mix of customers. We are a leader in Latin-inspired apparel, and I am honored as both a Cuban and the founder having witnessed the growth of this niche business over the years.”

The anniversary, which comes a little less than a year after the opening of the first Cubavera store in the U.S. at Miami International Airport will be getting their fans involved in the celebration through social media outreach including a “Best Birthday Wishes Contest” which will be promoted on Facebook, Twitter and the brand’s namesake website www.cubavera.com encouraging the posting of videos and photos of customers in their favorite Cubavera. The line also hopes to launch a commemorative guayabera this fall to keep the celebration going through the end of the year. With the growth of the Hispanic market in the US the future looks bright for Cubavera and Perry Ellis International.

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. The Company's collection of dress and casual shirts, golf sportswear, sweaters, dress and casual pants and shorts, jeans wear, active wear 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®, Jantzen®, Laundry by Shelli Segal®, C&C California®, Cubavera®, Munsingwear®, Savane®, Original Penguin® by Munsingwear®, Grand Slam®, Natural Issue®, Pro Player®, the Havanera Co.®, Axis®, Tricots St. Raphael®, Gotcha®, Girl Star®, MCD® John Henry®, Mondo di Marco®, Redsand®, Manhattan®, Axist® and Farah®. The Company enhances its roster of brands by licensing trademarks from third parties including Pierre Cardin® for men’s sportswear, Nike® and Jag® for swimwear, and Callaway®, and PGA TOUR® for golf apparel. Additional information on the Company is available at http://www.pery.com.

About Cubavera

Through exciting product, advertising, sponsorship and events, Cubavera® translates the joy and vibrancy of Latin culture into apparel, with designs that have evolved to meet the new sensibility of today’s confident multi-cultural consumer. The collection of men’s and boys’ sportswear is available in department stores throughout the United States and internationally. Additional information is available at http://www.cubavera.com.

Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=6253018&lang=en

Perry Ellis International Inc. (delisted) (NASDAQ:PERY)
Historical Stock Chart
From May 2024 to Jun 2024