MEET & GREET LISA BRODY Retail Marketing Director

Lisa Brody’s mantra is to always be open-minded and ready for something new – a practice that led to her role as Retail Marketing Director at International (PEI). Lisa, originally from South Florida, works at the PEI’s office, a career choice she considers one of her greatest accomplishments.

“I was always interested in many different areas within the industry, whether it was in marketing or at a magazine, as a photo editor or working as a stylist: All I knew was that I needed to be working in fashion,” recalls Brody. “Once I took my first trip to and hopped out of my cab, I realized that’s where I was meant to build my career.”

Brody has a Fashion Merchandising degree from Miami International University of Art and Design and first dipped her toe into the fashion pool as a Stylist Assistant & Personal Shopping Assistant at Saks Fifth Avenue in NYC. “My first job out of college taught me to ask a lot of questions and be willing to try new things – which really was the best way for me to figure out what I truly wanted to do,” says Brody. “After that job at Saks, I realized I wanted to be somewhere where I could be more creative, work with product, and also have the opportunity to learn more about the business side of the retail industry.” A friend of Brody’s was a PEI associate who thought she’d be a perfect fit for a newly vacant role at the company’s Manhattan office. Brody applied and interviewed for a Retail Coordinator position and, “the rest is history.”

“Once I took my first trip to New York City and hopped out of my cab, I realized that’s where I was meant to build my career.”

Ever since that first interview at Perry Ellis International over 11 years ago, Brody has devoted her career to growing PEI’s in-store merchandising initiatives. “I started as a Retail Coordinator and am now the Retail Marketing Director: It has been extremely rewarding to have worked my way up within such a great company,” says Brody. “My story is a testament to the fact that working hard, and always having the willingness to learn and take new paths, can really pay off in the long run.”

Outside of PEI, Brody operates an urban farm in Red Hook, Brooklyn, with her husband Seth. “Brody Farm is a 3,000-square- foot lot we bought eight years ago and turned into an urban farm,” adds Brody. “My husband cleaned up the location and maintains everything we grow there.” All produce and flowers grown on Brody Farm are donated to residents living in the Red Hook Housing Projects, as well as to some of the couple’s favorite local eateries.

Brody resides in Brooklyn with her husband Seth, their 13-year-old cat Bella, and Stella, their 6-year-old Shitzu/Yorkie mix.

10 SPRING 2016 Perry Ellis Brand Newsletter