License Agreement Extends Reach of Perry Ellis Brand in South America

Business Wire, August 3, 2004

MIAMI -- Perry Ellis International (Nasdaq:PERY) announced today that it has entered into a license agreement with Comervest S.A., Santiago, Chile to manufacture and distribute Perry Ellis(R) brand products in several South American countries.

In Chile, Comervest will distribute Perry Ellis(R) and Perry Ellis Portfolio(R) in multiple product categories including men's tailored clothing and sportswear, and women's and missy sized casual sportswear and dresses. Comervest will also make available in Chile Perry Ellis America(R) men's sportswear and jeanswear.

In Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela, Comervest will distribute men's tailored clothing under the Perry Ellis(R) brand.

"Perry Ellis is becoming the most important designer brand in Hispanic markets, both domestically and in Latin America," explained George Feldenkreis, chairman and CEO of Perry Ellis International. "This partnership will allow us to enter strategic markets and enhance the brand's reputation as the premier apparel brand in the region."

Christian Cafatti, president of Comervest, said: "The success of Perry Ellis(R) in Mexico, Puerto Rico and Central America demonstrates the brand's sensitivity to Latin American tastes. We are proud to be part of the Perry Ellis story and look forward to great success in these new markets."

Comervest will be launching product at the beginning of 2005. Distribution is set through major upscale department stores and regular priced specialty stores.

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, including dress and casual shirts, golf sportswear, sweaters, dress and casual pants and shorts, jeans wear, active wear and men's and women's swimwear to all major levels of retail distribution. The company, through its wholly owned subsidiaries, owns a portfolio of highly recognized brands including Perry Ellis(R), Jantzen(R), Cubavera(R), Munsingwear(R), John Henry(R), Original Penguin(R), Grand Slam(R), Natural Issue(R), Redsand(R), the Havanera Co.(R), Axis(R), and Tricots St. Raphael(R). The company also licenses trademarks from third parties including Nike(R) and Tommy Hilfiger(R) for swimwear, and PING(R) and Ocean Pacific(R) for men's sportswear. Additional information on PEI is available at http://www.pery.com.

Safe Harbor Statement

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. The actual results of Perry Ellis could differ materially from those expressed or indicated by forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, general economic conditions, a significant decrease in business from or loss of any of Perry Ellis' major customers, the effectiveness of Perry Ellis' planned advertising, marketing and promotional campaigns, the ability of Perry Ellis to contain costs, Perry Ellis' future capital needs and ability to obtain financing, changes in fashion trends and consumer acceptance of both new designs and newly introduced products, ability to predict consumer preferences, anticipated trends and conditions in Perry Ellis' industry, including future consolidation, the seasonality of Perry Ellis' swimwear business, termination or non-renewal of any material license agreements to which Perry Ellis is a party, ability to integrate businesses, trademarks, trade names and licenses, including Salant, the level of consumer spending for apparel and other merchandise, exposure to foreign currency risk, possible disruption in commercial activities due to terrorist activity and armed conflict and other factors, including those set forth in Perry Ellis' 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. Any forward-looking statements speak only as of the day hereof and Perry Ellis disclaims any intent or obligation to update the same.