LOOKING BACK ON THE LIFE OF LILLY PULITZER
By: Hope Wilkos, Writer/Blogger Photographer: George Whylie Videographer: Maxine NolanOn Sunday, April 7, 2013, we sadly lost a fashion icon in the design world. Lilly Pulitzer who brightened wardrobes with signature prints and created collections that have always conjured up a vivid tropical oasis of fashions in our minds, passed away in Palm Beach at the age of 81.
Her passion for design always kept her going strong and even though she no longer had an active role in the company itself which she sold many years ago, she will always be remembered for its striking beginnings and her signature sheaths which continue to be an overwhelming success as they have become updated over the decades.
To think that it all began with an idea to design a bright floral dress to mask juice stains seems hardly imaginable. Pulitzer operated a juice stand in Via Mizner on Palm Beach between 1959 and 1960 and decided to design a uniform of boldly patterned cotton prints that would make it that much easier to hide citrus stains. She had no education in fashion design but her creativity thrust her into the limelight immediately with a dress that would symbolize the Lilly Pulitzer image. Everybody wanted one of these uniforms and to keep up with the demand, Lilly opened her own shop.
Pulitzer’s life was as colorful as her dresses. It began when at the young age of 19, she eloped with Peter Pulitzer, the grandson of renowned publisher, Joseph Pulitzer. Throughout the years, her brand was very popular with high society and she was called the “Queen of Prep”. She attended school with First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy and the First Lady was attracted to her style and requested for Lilly to make her a dress. The Kennedy women (Jacqueline and Caroline), members of the Rockefeller, Vanderbilt and Whitney families all wore her dresses in elegance and stature.
Lilly was a loving mother, friend, wife and designer and over the years she worked with various charities. In 2008, she received the honor of ‘Woman of Distinction‘ by Palm Beach Atlantic University. She was a long-standing member of the exclusive Everglades Club and Bath & Tennis Club.
This woman of fame and fortune never let it go to her head. She was always sweet and down to earth, felt at peace in her garden and preferred to be barefoot in her surroundings.
Although the Lilly Pulitzer label continues to carry on with colorful motifs and bright tropical prints that have attracted fans generation after generation, Lilly will be greatly missed. Fashion and entertaining gave her the most satisfaction and not only will friends and family miss this dear woman, but fashionistas and fellow designers will always keep a special place in their hearts for Lilly Pulitzer.
PHOTO CREDITS: Getty Images, AP Photo/Robert H. Houston, Palm Beach Post, Google Images
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