Roger Forsythe (born John Roger Forsythe) (July 11, 1955 - October 6, 1991) was a men's fashion designer. Biography Roger Forsythe was born in Chillicothe, Missouri on July 11, 1955 and raised in Texas. Forsythe earned a business degree from the University of Houston and then attended the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City, where he graduated with an associate degree in applied sciences, specializing in men's wear, in 1982. Forsythe trademarked his name on July 23, 1984. and began his career working for Jean Paul Germaine, Kenneth Gordon and later was director of men's, women's and children's sportswear collections at Basic Elements, Los Angeles CA. In 1988 he was appointed as Director Of Design, Men's Wear division for the Perry Ellis Group. Under Forsythe's direction, sales under his leadership jumped from $15 million to more than $100 million annually. Founder Perry Ellis died of complications from AIDS in 1986. Forsythe proved to be the design force that put the men's collection back on its feet following Ellis' death. Forsythe was awarded Men's Wear Designer of the Year by the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) in 1991. He died on October 6, 1991 at the New York University Medical Center of HIV- related lymphatic cancer. References American fashion designers 1955 births 1991 deaths American business executives 20th-century American businesspeople Menswear designers People from Chillicothe, Missouri