There’s a certain fresh, summery clothing style that is distinctive, and has been associated with country clubs and fancy zip codes for generations. The bright patterns and clean, fruity colors have a timeless yet retro look, and give a visual image that says the wearer has casual elegance, time on their hands, and few worries. While that may or may not be true, the look that Lilly Pulitzer created has had its own niche in fashion since the late 1950s, and still is popular. As a new mother in 1958, Lilly suffered from what was probably post-partum depression. Doctors said there was nothing wrong with her, and that she ought to do something to fill her days and alleviate the depression. Lilly and her husband, Herbert Pulitzer, decided to open a juice stand in Palm Beach, Florida. The juice made a mess of her clothing, so she asked a dressmaker to design her some clothing that would hide the stains. The customers loved her outfits, so she produced more clothing, which she sold at the juice stand. When it became clear that she was selling more clothing than juice, she began focusing on developing a clothing line. By 1959, Lilly was president of her own company, Lilly Pulitzer, Inc. The company's main factory was in Miami, Florida, and the fabrics were produced by the Key West Hand Print Fabrics company. Over 85% of Pulitzer's prints were designed by artist Suzie Zuzek, who was the designer for Key West Hand Prints. For three decades, Pulitzer's bright, colorful clothes were very popular with not just women, but men and children as well. The look was especially popular among jet-setting socialites. A photo of Jackie Kennedy in "Life" magazine wearing one of her designs brought worldwide recognition to Lilly and her fashions. By 1984, Lilly closed down the entire clothing operation, but in 1993, the rights to the brand were purchased by Sugartown Worldwide, Inc. Today, the company maintains 75 Lilly Pulitzer Signature Stores and is sold in fine department stores nationally. Born Lillian Lee McKim on November 10, 1931 in Roslyn NY, she was married to Herbert Pulitzer from 1950-1969; they had three children: Peter, Minnie and Liza. Shortly after her 1969 divorce, she married Enrique Rousseau. Lilly died at age 81 in Palm Beach, Florida.

click here