Aaron Diaz Stars In Perry Ellis Fall Campaign, Creative Director Michael Maccari Talks New Fragrance [INTERVIEW]

Wearing a blue slim fit suit perfectly hugging his well-built figure, Telenovela hottie and "Quantico" actor Aaron Diaz joined Creative Director Michael Maccari to unveil the new Perry Ellis fragrance in New York City. Diaz is also starring in the fall campaign, which was revealed during an intimate cocktail event in celebration of the brand’s ever-constant emphasis on versatile dressing.

Latin Times had the opportunity to talk to both Diaz and Maccari, and be among the first media to enjoy the fragrance before it is available in stores. "You are not going to se my face in a lot of brands," said Aaron Diaz. "Only in the ones that I really believe in." The Mexican actor says that for him it is quite important to feel identified with a brand when lending his image. "Perry Ellis is definitely the brand I can see myself in for several reasons. First it's a versatile brand and I love the fact that I can wear their clothes in the morning and then in the afternoon just have to layer it and transform the look from casual to elegant," he added.

Perry Edwin Ellis founded the American brand in the mid-1970s. Ellis' influence on the fashion industry has been called "a huge turning point," because he introduced new patterns and proportions to a market, which was dominated by more traditional men's clothing. "As a consumer and as a face of the brand I can tell you that Perry Ellis is making things easier for men," said Diaz. "With the design and patterns it's very simple to create different looks." Pops of color, new shapes and never-before-seen styles are rewriting the rules and redefining American sportswear.

Michael Maccari also said that the brand is perfect for the man who is always on the go. "Our jackets are water repellent, the fabric stretches, so men can move in it throughout the day with no worries," he said. Since that first unapologetically American collection in 1976, Perry Ellis' clothes have been designed to be distinctively unexpected—clothing that stands out, but always appropriate.

In Ellis' time, he earned eight Coty American Fashion Critics' Awards from the cosmetics and perfume company Coty, Inc. Until its discontinuation in 1985, the Coty Award was considered one of the most prestigious awards in the field of fashion.

The new Perry Ellis men’s fragrance is refreshing with notes of Italian bergamot, crushed lavender and verbena, infused with a blend of iced juniper, geranium and Mediterranean rosemary, with the intention of empowering men to feel confidently cool. The woody dry down leaves an intriguing fresh fall scent comprised of amber, oak moss and Indonesian sandalwood.

The clean and refined packaging features an updated timeless look. "I've always have been inspired by the city and architecture, so I wanted something that was like a foundation of something, like a building block," said Michael. "I think we kind of started with that and then we came with the idea of something that was fresh and masculine, clean but also with an organic side."

Maccari revealed that choosing Aaron Diaz to be the face of Perry Ellis was easy because he represents what the brand is. "Aaron is the embodiment of versatility," said Maccari. "He is an actor, he is a family man first and foremost." The Perri Ellis Creative Director also revealed that when they were shooting the photos and video for the campaign, Diaz always was talking about his wife and two kids, and for them, it was a beautiful thing because it was proof of how humble and kind Aaron was.

The 35-year-old actor took the opportunity to invite men to be part of Perry Ellis. “It's important that men know that this brand is up in their game,” said Diaz. “Men in general will be confortable and fresh, so I invite all Hispanics, Americans, men in general to be part of it.”

This brand is definitely rooted in a lighthearted approach in dressing, and will continue to redefine the concept of go-anywhere dressing by combining fresh sportswear with performance attributes to create a line that moves with today’s man.

The new collection will roll out over the fall season online and the fragrance, retailing for $65, will be available on the brand’s website and partner retailers like Macy’s, Dillard’s, and Lord & Taylor starting September 15, 2017.