Tua Tagovailoa & Perry Ellis Announce New Partnership

Tua Tagovailoa's Hawaiian-Samoan heritage inspired his partnership with the fashion brand Perry Ellis.

On Tuesday morning, Perry Ellis International, Inc., the globally renowned fashion brand, announced its partnership with Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. Tagovailoa will serve as the global ambassador for the brand, which will include the launch of a collection set to debut in summer 2024 and is inspired by Tagovailoa's Hawaiian-Samoan heritage.

"We're incredibly excited to unveil a long-term partnership with Tua," says Oscar Feldenkreis, President and CEO of Perry Ellis International, Inc. "As a remarkable talent, both on and off the field, Tua is the quintessential Perry Ellis man and personifies our Always Ready brand ethos. We're proud to welcome Tua to our own team as an ambassador and creative inspiration."

In addition to serving as an ambassador for the brand, the partnership extends to a product collaboration set to launch in Summer 2024. The NFL Pro Bowler and Perry Ellis are working closely together throughout the design process to tell a layered story authentic to his heritage and the contemporary sensibility of the brand.

Using elements like Earth and water for inspiration and as a vehicle for innovation, the collection emulates the lush mountains, oceanic horizons, and the bright florals and textual foliage of the islands. Examining the artistry of Hawaiian-Samoan life and the symbiotic relationship between the Earth and its people, Tagovailoa and Perry Ellis aim to represent the native Hawaiian and Samoan islands in an authentic manner.

Tua Tagovailoa models a Perry Ellis suit / Perry Ellis

What inspired this partnership between you and Perry Ellis?

"One of the biggest reasons that inspired this partnership was really being able to show the diversity of my culture and understanding the foundational things that made Perry Ellis what it is. It's a very respectable company, and it aligns with the values that I believe in as well."

Perry Ellis is teaming up with Tua Foundation to help support Maui families affected by the wildfires. How important was that philanthropic component of the partnership?

"It was really important. Giving back to the community has always been a core value of mine, as well as the Tua Foundation. The biggest thing about it is not just designing clothes but using our platform to make a meaningful difference. That's what allowed me to make a decision to do this with Perry Ellis."

Your first collection is inspired by your Samoan roots; how important was it for you to incorporate your heritage into the design?

"It was very important to me. I think for Perry Ellis to have allowed me this opportunity it's really big. In a way, it's sort of unchartered territory for Perry Ellis. I like how brave they are in allowing me to have this opportunity to have my own line and how that inspires the culture that I grew up in. The colors and different intricacies that are a part of that, so it was important for me to do that because it represents who I am."

Tua Tagovailoa models his Perry Ellis apparel / Perry Ellis

Without giving away too much, what is your favorite component of the collaboration?

"Basically, the entire thing. It's really cool because of the color and ideas that have gone into what makes this very unique and special to me. I don't want to go into too much detail, but that's what I'm most excited about."

Can we expect to see you tease some Perry Ellis products before or after games on Sundays this fall?

"We haven't released yet. It's a little early. But I'll probably be wearing something. We'll see."

Last question: Looking around the league at some of your peers' tunnel outfits. Do you think they could benefit from rocking your Perry Ellis apparel?

"Yeah, I definitely think they could benefit. There are a lot of guys that believe in fashion and love fashion on my team. I think it will be really cool if they get to experience a little bit of my culture. But personally, I think it will mostly benefit the brand line by having those guys be able to represent something of mine on their platforms or on social media. So I think that it will be really cool."

Tua Tagovailoa models his Perry Ellis apparel / Perry Ellis

Recommended For You

Look: Micah Parsons pays tribute to Emmitt Smith by wearing his retro Reebok sneakers.

News: Aaron Judge makes New York Yankees history while wearing "Maui" cleats.

Interview: Former Miami Dolphins running back Ricky Williams discusses NIL, documentaries, and brand building.