Perry Ellis Names Liz Rodbell Group President
Perry Ellis International has appointed Liz Rodbell to a newly created group president role overseeing its core lifestyle brands.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in People
Perry Ellis International has named Liz Rodbell to a new group president position, where she will oversee its core sportswear brands, licensing, and strategic growth initiatives. Rodbell began the role in the week of November 6, 2026.
Why it matters
The appointment places a veteran retail executive in charge of several key lifestyle divisions as the company pursues long-term brand elevation and strategic expansion. Rodbell brings experience leading major apparel and department store businesses.
Rodbell joined Lord & Taylor as a dress buyer in 1985 and later served as president of Lord & Taylor and Hudson's Bay from 2013 to 2018. Her new role covers the Perry Ellis, Original Penguin, Laundry by Shelli Segal, and Rafaella brands.
The players
Liz Rodbell
Rodbell is a longtime retail and apparel executive whose career spans department stores and branded apparel companies, including prior leadership roles at Lord & Taylor, Hudson's Bay, and Steve Madden.
Perry Ellis International
Perry Ellis International is a Miami-headquartered apparel company that owns and licenses a portfolio of lifestyle and sportswear brands.
Oscar Feldenkreis
Feldenkreis is the executive to whom Rodbell reports at Perry Ellis International and has known her for about 15 years.
The details
Rodbell is responsible for the Perry Ellis, Original Penguin, Laundry by Shelli Segal, and Rafaella brands and reports to Oscar Feldenkreis, who is based in Miami. She is based in New York and was previously founder and principal adviser of LHR Advisors before this appointment.
Timeline
1985: Rodbell joins Lord & Taylor as a dress buyer.
2013 to 2018: Rodbell serves as president of Lord & Taylor and Hudson's Bay.
2018 to 2022: Rodbell serves as group president of Steve Madden.
December 2023 to June 2025: Rodbell serves as president and CEO of Hudson's Bay.
Week of November 6, 2026: Rodbell begins as group president of Perry Ellis International.
Market Landscape
Rodbell's move from leading department stores such as Lord & Taylor and Hudson's Bay to running branded apparel portfolios at Perry Ellis reflects the continued shift of senior retail talent between store operators and brand owners. The appointment places her among executives steering lifestyle brands through a competitive apparel market.
Shoppers may see the brands Rodbell oversees, including Perry Ellis, Original Penguin, Laundry by Shelli Segal, and Rafaella, shaped by her strategy in the coming seasons. The appointment is a leadership change that could influence product direction and availability at retail.
The takeaway
Leadership changes at major apparel brands often signal shifts in product strategy and growth priorities that eventually reach store shelves. Readers following the brands can watch how Rodbell's tenure affects their lineups.
Further reading
For more on executive moves across the industry, explore People coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WWD.
