Perry Ellis makes the Southwest Desert look crisp.

By Laura Medina

John Crocco, Perry Ellis' Creative Director.

Backstage, warming up to the runway show for the brand, Perry Ellis, John Crocco, the company's creative director was kind enough to be open to a backstage interview.

In keeping the brand's heritage alive yet current, Mr. Crocco explained he has

entire history of Perry Ellis in archives and his head, "It’s always in my head. I just try to infuse new things in there, based on different influences."

Explaining that the brand has a very casual air towards fashion, he tries to keep the Perry Ellis elements alive by taking down the dressier things then making them a little more casual and not so serious. At the same time, Crocco does the opposite of that, lifting up the more casual pieces and making them a little more meaningful.

Making the more casual pieces then making them more meaningful, as in the current trends we’re going to see..."In a number of places, you’ll see a swim trunk with desert cactus print on it. In his case, he’ll pair it with a great chunky sweater. You’ll see it paired with a beautiful, supple suede shirt, like with safari details. So, it’s a different way to wear things."

Perry Ellis, over the years, is more of a transitional collection than a definite seasonal collection,

"We have a very broad customer base. We’re in a lot of different markets, South, East, West, International. So, I want to make sure there are things for the Northeast and also things for the Southwest."

"In this particular collection, this was more inspired by the Southwest sensibilities, so you’ll see lot of it in prints."

"Yeah. I want to show guys how to incorporate new pieces into their wardrobe and wear them confidentially."

About the show's general theme, "Look for dehydrated colors mixed with neutrals. Look for "American Safari” details."

Keenan Echols, Perry Ellis’ Sexiest Guy Next Door.

Originally from New York, Mr. Echols spent part of his childhood in Syracuse, NY and Jamaica, Queens.

He moved to Atlanta to be a web designer, returning to NY as a supermodel.

It’s a little backwards, I’ll admit that. Atlanta’s fashion market is up and coming.

Fashion has always been an interest of mine,

"Run across the Sexiest Male Model Next Door Contest. Gave it a shot to see what America thought. Friends and family thought I can do. Friends in the industry said I can do it. Then won. For now, it’s a great experience for me to be here. To see everything first-hand. What goes down."

He hopes this will lead to acting eventually.

Perry Ellis is his only show, "Technically, I’m not a model. I’m just the Sexiest Guy Next Door.

As of now, I’m just a full-time web designer."

Mr. Crocco always kept in mind this is a Spring/Summer collection he is designing and used crisp linen through-out the collection.

He used the black-gray-ish iron ore/graphite as a stand-in for black. The safari jacket was reworked into a safari shirt layered over a henley.

The collection focused on tonal and tactile fabrics where seersucker was bleached bone white but the puckering is still there.

Airy linen peacoats and lightweight knitted pullovers give new meanings to evening White Parties in early Spring, when the air is cooler but the wearer yearns for something lighter.

Despite the fact Crocco was influenced by Southwest Desert, the color palette and textile do not feel so hot as it is soothing, cool, and relaxing.

The sporty, preppish elements are intact but colored in with Southwest minerals.

Another set of closet classics on their way.