Basketball
legend Shaquille O'Neal has teamed up with Peerless Clothing to launch a new
extensive menswear collection at 100 Macy's stores around America. Including
not only regular sizing but special big & tall fit pieces, the new designs
consist mostly of tailoring such as suit jackets and trousers.
Launching
from mid-February this year and also available online on the Macy's website,
the designs are set to retail for $150 to $400. Ronny
Wurtzburger, President of Peerless Clothing, commented on working closely with
the sportsman to create the pieces: "Shaq is one of the biggest stars
in sports with a huge fan base and following. A favorite celebrity and
personality who is larger than life. Fans everywhere love Shaq for his athletic
accomplishments, and his successful foray into music, movies, television and
business. They love his style, passion and charisma. When it comes to fashion,
Shaq is a trendsetter. He has strong consumer appeal among African-Americans,
Hispanic-Americans, Moms who relate to his dedication to providing quality
products at affordable prices, and kids who see him as their ultimate role
model."
Shaquille
added that he was especially passionate about representing different sizes in
the market because he has found it so tough to find properly fitting items in
the past: "My interest in developing a menswear collection was based on
the lack of fashion choices for Big & Tall customers and the higher prices
for larger size suits. I also was frustrated that I had to go to a Big &
Tall store rather than shop with my friends at the local department or
specialty store. I originally wanted to develop a more fashion-forward menswear
collection at an affordable price. Once Peerless and I developed the collection,
the reaction from Macy's was so positive that we decided to make the collection
in all sizes."
