Lilly Pulitzer

Lilly Emblem (http://www.thepinkpalm.net/ images/lillypulitzer.gif)

My hero is Lilly Pulitzer, who designs apparel that is famous and is known all over the United States of America. Lilly was born on November 10. Lilly didn’t just happen to do well in the fashion business. There is a long and interesting story that ties into Lilly’s great success. Lilly was born into a very wealthy family and never had to worry about running out of money. Everything came to Lilly easily, and she barely had to work for anything. Basically, Lilly was spoiled and didn’t get to experience what life was all about. Lilly married Peter Pulitzer, grandson of the Pulitzer Prize’s Joseph Pulitzer. They lived in Palm Beach Florida. Lilly’s already glamorous life got even better. Lilly couldn’t take it any longer. Lilly could not continue living such a luxurious life without appreciating it. She began having a lot of stress issues. When Lilly went to visit her doctor, he told her that the best remedy for her stress would be to go out in the world and get a job.

The Classic Shift Dress (http://www.lauderdalelifestyle.com/ lillypulitzer/products/ 50692R05-sm.jpg)

Lilly decided to open her own juice stand on Via Mizner, off Worth Avenue in Palm Beach. Her husband, Peter, owned some Florida citrus groves, but Lilly needed to do this project alone with no help. For once, Lilly felt like she could do something without having everyone do it for her. Pretty soon, Lilly’s business was a success. But, there was a problem. When Lilly would squeeze the oranges, lemons, limes and pink grapefruits, her clothes would become very messy. Lilly needed a dress that was designed to hide the stains. Lilly instructed her dressmaker to make a dress of bright, colorful patterns. The colors of the dress were pink, green, yellow and orange. The dress was great to use while Lilly worked at her juice stand, and became Lilly’s first design. The dress was called the Classic Shift.

Lilly Pulitzer, 1963 (http://www.lillypulitzer.com /images/content/photo_lilly_1963.jpg)

Naturally, Lilly’s dresses became popular and people were asking her to make them one. Lilly began to sell some of the dresses at the juice stand. Soon, Lilly was producing so many dresses that she decided to stop making the juice, and just focus on the clothing. Jackie Kennedy, an old friend from school, asked to have the Classic Shift dress made for her. She wore it as the first lady in the Life Magazine. Lilly Pulitzer soon became a great hit. Lilly stores were opened everywhere. However, in 1984, Lilly announced her retirement and Lilly apparel became vintage. Lilly’s marriage ended with Peter Pulitzer, and Lilly remarried to Enrique Rousseau.

In January 1993, the Lilly Pulitzer line was revived. Lilly became even more popular than before. There are 75 signature shops, and Lilly is also located in very large department stores. Jim Bradbeer and Scott Beaumont are now the company’s owners since 1993. They are the men that revived the Lilly Pulitzer line. Every time a new line of clothing comes out for Lilly, it grows more and more popular. Lilly Pulitzer still continues to live in Palm Beach. Lilly still hosts parties and welcomes visitors to her house called “The Jungle.”

A Signature Lilly Store (http://www.thepinkpalm.net /images/signpost.gif)

Lilly Pulitzer has made a difference in my life. It shows me how someone who has never learned how to live life, and has not experienced every day issues like everyone else, can pull through and change his or her life dramatically. Lilly decided that she was going to make something of herself, and she certainly did. Even though Lilly wasn’t poor to begin with, she has shown me how someone who starts out with something as small as a juice stand, can grow to have a huge clothing line worth millions. By putting forth a little effort, that effort can go a long way. I think that Lilly is a hero to others because her own experiences have motivated others to work hard and achieve goals. I think that she is a good example to others to believe in yourself, and no matter what, never give up. Lilly and her company have created a scarf, and portions of the profits go to breast cancer awareness. Included in the pattern of the scarf is the breast cancer symbol. This sets the scarf apart from other Lilly collections. Lilly has taught me to go through life believing in your dreams, because someday they might come true.