Perry Ellis International Names Liz Rodbell Group President

Liz Rodbell started this week as group president of Perry Ellis International, a newly created post based in New York that gives one executive oversight of the company's key lifestyle divisions and its brand-elevation agenda.

Rodbell reports directly to Oscar Feldenkreis, chief executive officer and president of the Miami-headquartered group. Her remit covers Perry Ellis, Original Penguin, Laundry by Shelli Segal and Rafaella, and her mandate ties divisional growth to long-term strategic expansion across the portfolio.

The appointment installs a merchant-led operator at the top of PEI's brand organization at a moment the company says its core labels are performing. Rodbell said PEI is seeing strong traction with its products and solid growth. "Perry Ellis, the namesake of the company, is really driving tremendous business, and we want to grow the women's business," she said. "The Original Penguin is unique in its international presence and has opportunities too."

Who is Liz Rodbell?

Rodbell arrives with a four-decade record across department store retailing, wholesale merchandising and brand management. Most recently she was founder and principal adviser of LHR Advisors. Before that she served as president and CEO of Hudson's Bay from December 2023 to June 2025, and from 2018 to 2022 she was group president of Steve Madden.

Her earlier career tracks the rise of one of American retail's best-known merchants. From 2013 to 2018 she was president of Lord & Taylor and Hudson's Bay. She previously held the posts of executive vice president and chief merchant for Lord & Taylor and Hudson's Bay, and executive vice president of merchandising at Lord & Taylor. She joined Lord & Taylor as a dress buyer in 1985 and rose quickly through the ranks.

What does Feldenkreis expect from the role?

Feldenkreis framed the hire as both a personal bet and a strategic one, citing a relationship that spans more than 15 years.

"I have had the privilege of knowing Liz for more than 15 years, sharing both a valued personal friendship and a deeply collaborative business relationship," he said. "She is a recognized powerhouse and widely respected leader in our industry. Liz's command of product, brand equity and retail dynamics will be instrumental in executing our strategic vision, accelerating divisional growth, and continuing the elevation of our global portfolio."

For sourcing and supply-chain teams across PEI's vendor base, the signal is continuity of the elevation strategy now paired with a leader whose career has balanced wholesale merchandising and retail transformation. Rodbell's stated priorities point to channel decisions ahead.

"Perry Ellis International holds an enduring position across men's and women's lifestyle categories," Rodbell said. "I look forward to partnering with Oscar, our divisional leaders, and the talented teams in New York and Miami to build upon the momentum of these iconic brands, strengthen our retail partnerships, and deliver compelling product strategies to today's consumer."

What comes next?

The new structure concentrates four brands under one group president while Feldenkreis retains the CEO seat in Miami. Watch for Rodbell's first moves on the women's business at Perry Ellis and on Original Penguin's international footprint, the two growth vectors she named on day one.