Enriching Lives. Enhancing Communities.
Academic Units:
- Child Development and Family Relations
- Criminal Justice
- Hospitality Management
- Interior Design and Merchandising
- Nutrition and Dietetics
- Social Work
Human Ecology:
Alumnus Holds Trunk Show for Peter Millar Brand |
| Chris Knott, 1987 graduate of East Carolina University’s merchandising program, breezed into Greenville last week for a one-day trunk show at Coffman’s Menswear to lay out his Peter Millar brand spring line and give shoppers a glimpse at the fall 2007 collection. The fresh pastel colors and dreamy soft fabrics selected by Knott and his partners for spring and summer are irresistible. For nearly 20 years, Chris worked as a traveling sales representative selling menswear |
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for top designers such as Hugo Boss and Joseph Abboud. Some six years ago, Chris perceived an opportunity to develop a niche golf business in luxury cashmere sweaters, importing them and shipping to eager buyers from his garage. He teamed up with entrepreneurs Greg Oakley and Chet Sikorski, creators of the Tweed Peacock collection, and together they created the Peter Millar line, which expanded |
| quickly to include knit and sport shirts and a wide line of pants, shorts, swim wear, boxers, sport coats, and neck ties—and luxury ladies’ apparel. Chris, who grew up in Fuquay-Varina, NC, took the name and inspiration for his line from an antique English lawn ball given to him by his mother. The ball was imprinted with the original owner’s name—now becoming synonymous with luxurious and comfortable clothes. The line blossomed in 2003, 2004, and 2005 with sales approaching $10 million. Peter Millar brand can only be found in high-end specialty and retail shops. There are no sales to big box retailers. Golf Connoisseur Magazine says the line is available in 85 of 100 of the most prestigious private golf clubs. “We focus on affordable luxury,” says Chris. “Our efforts go into beautiful clothing, but it’s not crazy-priced.” Does Chris have advice for merchandising students? You bet. He says, “Get organized. Learn as much as you can about Microsoft Office, Excel, and e-mail. Be sure to take a CAD class. Get a passport now and read up on Asian culture—Chinese and South Korean for example. Keep a scrap book from magazines of all the cool ideas in men’s and ladies’ clothing. Companies would love this at an interview. |
| Follow fashion on the high end and the low end. Watch companies like Target and J.Crew. Those companies are hiring young talented people.” Thanks, Chris, for your time and words of wisdom. Best wishes for continued success!Read more about the Peter Millar line at www.peter-millar.com. |
© 2006 East Carolina University
last updated: 4.26.2007