FRANK PERULLO

PERULLO--Frank. May 10, 1925 - November 12, 2023. Frank Perullo, lifelong New York City resident, passed away in hospice care at 98. Born to Elizabeth (Vecchione) and John Perullo at St. Luke's Hospital, Frank lived most of his life in the Midwood section of Brooklyn. He attended Madison High School and, following his father's career path, graduated from Parson's School of Design to enter the world of fashion design. While at Parsons he worked as a window dresser at A&S in Brooklyn and got his design start at Hattie Carnegie as an assistant. He became the chief creator of couture women's afternoon and evening wear at Kiki Hart in the late '40s and moved to Fred Perlberg at 525 Seventh Ave. where his evening clothes were sold through Joseph Magnin, Best & Co., Henri Bendel, Bergdorf Goodman, Jay Thorpe, Saks Fifth Ave. and Lord & Taylor, and through leading chains around the country. His designs were featured on the covers of magazines, including Bride's, Seventeen, Harper's Bazaar, and Glamour. Advertisements highlighting his name and likeness appeared in hundreds of magazines and newspapers around the U.S. He started his own Perullo label in 1974 and later lent his fashion sense to lines at Malcolm Starr, Leslie Faye, and Oscar de la Renta. He got his license in 1985 to teach at High School of Fashion Industries in New York City where he instructed in fashion design and illustration until retiring in '95. He was an inspiration to many students who went on to work in the industry. He met his partner Michael Schau in 1979 and they re-affirmed their 44-year relationship as new laws allowed, including filing as Domestic Partners, and getting married in Connecticut before it was legal in their native New York State. They finally married at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 2023. Frank cherished his large family, so many of whom predecease him, including his older brother and only sibling John Jr. In addition to husband Michael and dedicated friends, Frank's cherished survivors include nephew Paul Perullo, niece Carol Cruz, and many grand nephews and nieces. Cremation on November 16 will be followed by interment in the family plot at St. John's Cemetery. Frank will be missed for his generosity, natural elegance and gentle kindness, all of which he maintained to the very end.