At D.W.S. Summer is our favourite season : pretty tropical prints in bright sunny colours for which we have one lady in particular to thank for : LILLY PULITZER. The story has it that in 1959 when this young heiress from the wealthy publishing company opened a juice stand among the citrus groves in Palm Beach, she needed a dress that would camouflage the stains of orange and grapefruit spills. So she had one made, creating a look that proved to be so popular for more than five decades. Her vividly flowered housedresses became known simply as 'Lillys'.
She designed collections around whatever struck her fancy ... fruits, vegetables, politics or peacocks. They were bright and garish and yet they became the summer 'uniform' of the ultra-rich : even Jacqueline Kennedy wore them.
It is with some sadness that we read of Ms Pulitzer's death yesterday at the age of 81. Her dresses full of her wonderful joie de vivre have inspired several generations of designers since, and have made summer fashion so much more fun. We have never had any 'Lilly's' BUT have sold many many well-known international Designers collections that owe more than a debt of gratitude to this inspirational woman.
Thank you Lilly Pulitizer for making our lives so much brighter.
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