Hey there princess!
Lilly Pulitzer (November 10, 1931- April 7, 2013) was an American fashionista, socialite, and entrepreneur.
In 1950, she eloped with her husband Herbert (Peter) Pulitzer Jr., who was the grandson of Joseph Pulitzer who the Pulitzer Prize is named after. Together they moved to Palm Beach, Florida to live in the lap of luxury among their numerous orange groves. Now, a lesser woman would have been content there but Lilly needed a little more excitement in her life. So, she decided to open up her own little juice stand to quench the thirst of her neighboring millionaires on hot summer days.
While juicing her oranges, Lilly noticed that the citrus was staining her clothing so she did what any woman would do - she asked her dressmaker to make her a set of ensembles in bold and colorful prints that the juice stains could blend into seamlessly. As it turned out - her customers liked her clothes better than the juice and in 1959 Lilly became president of her own company, Lilly Pulitzer, Inc.
A preppy icon was born! Through her connections and fabulous style, Lilly Pulitzer clothing was a staple of '60s style. Her clothing was worn by Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis (below) and her daughter Caroline Kennedy, not to mention members of the Rockefeller, Whitney, and Vanderbilt families. There's certainly something to be said for having friends in high places!
Today, Lilly Pulitzer is as popular of a brand as ever. The company's signature bold prints and patterns are iconic in the fashion industry and girls around the country can identify another Lilly lover on sight. Her clothing is mentioned in the ever-fabulous Preppy Handbook, and generations of women have been able to express their love of color and Palm Beach style through their clothing.
I will always remember my first experience with Lilly Pulitzer. My mom always let us pick out a new outfit for Easter Sunday, and the year I turned 14 I chose a pink Lilly top with a pair of brightly patterned capris. I wore them to death and loved every minute of it! When I went through sorority rush at Baylor, my mom bough me a pair of green Lilly ballet flats that I swore were magical. I took my engagement pictures in Lilly and got my marriage certificate in Lilly and had a Lilly bridal shower and wore Lilly on my honeymoon. You could say I am a fan!
Be more like Lilly:
Don't be afraid to use your connections
Be bold
Don't shy away from color
Embrace your entrepreneurial spirit
Think of creative solutions to messy problems
