If you live on the East Coast or in the South, there's a good chance you know who designer Lilly Pulitzer is and how she got her start.
If you live in the West or North, well, let's be honest... you probably don't care.
So who is this designer Lilly Pulitzer? And why should we care?
Let me paint you a picture. Think about Florida - Palm Beach to be exact. Think bright colors and that you like making juice and selling this citrus blend because you own orange groves.
Then think about this: customers spill juice on their dresses. How do we fix this? With a great idea, that's what (necessity is the mother of invention after all).Pulitzer began to create dresses that hid said juice in the pattern. The dresses were as bright as the dresses. Spillage problem solved!
That's how Lilly Pulitzer started about 60 years ago and the rest is history.
Lilly Pulitzer’s history is steeped rich in the East Coast all along the Eastern seaboard. People who live Cape Cod or the Northeast tend to vacation in the South. So, Lilly's works spread like the wild flame that it was and still is. Women loved her designs.
As I said, the West Coast doesn't know Lilly as well. We sort of just don't care, because it didn't start here (we are rather snobbish when it comes to fashion - if we didn't invent it, we don't care).
Not to mention, we have mastered the art of "California casual" which means dressing up is a rarity (most unfortunately).
This is a shame. And I hope it changes. It's nice when people look nice; like they care.
Lilly Pulitzer was a designer born out of a need. Her brightly colored shift dresses began in the late 1950s and continue today.
I occasionally find Lilly dresses even out here in California, and when I do, it's like a bright explosion of happiness.
The colors are vivid (easy to spot) and knowing that the dressed made it out here to the furthest realms of California fashion is a treat.
I just listed one of the least most colorful dresses she ever made. It's a metallic thread silver and ivory sheath. It's sparkly and gorgeous and I've owned her for about eight years.
I decided to list it in my shop, as someone else (like someone in the South or East) would get more use out of it. But, I have worn her. She's a gem.
She's a 1960s dress does 1920s with a dropped waist and fringe. She is stunning.
-Heather
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