Lilly is a modest fashion inspiration who sparked a colorful revolution in the American high society of the 1960s, challenging the dull pastel-toned fashion trends with her vibrant colorful lifestyle products.
Lillian Lee McKim, also known as Lilly, was born on November 10, 1931, in the town of Roslyn, New York. Her mother, Lillian Bostwick McKim, was one of the heirs to Standard Oil Company, one of the largest and most influential energy companies of its time. Founded by John D. Rockefeller in the late 19th century, Standard Oil was a massive company that largely controlled the global oil market. This legacy, combined with the wealth and social circle on her mother’s side, granted Lilly not only financial affluence but also direct belonging to American high society. After divorcing her father, Robert McKim, Lilly’s mother remarried, further solidifying her status in elite circles. Lilly, the middle of three sisters, spent her childhood engaged in privileged activities such as horseback riding, boarding schools, ballet lessons, and debutante balls. Yet, even within this glamorous setting, Lilly began to express her desire to carve her own path from a young age. While attending the prestigious Chapin School in New York, Lilly was surrounded by girls from prominent families of the time. One of them was Jacqueline Bouvier—future First Lady Jackie Kennedy. The friendship Lilly and Jackie built in their youth would later be rekindled in Palm Beach and would accelerate a turning point in Lilly’s fashion career. After graduating from Miss Porter’s School in Connecticut, Lilly briefly attended Finch College. However, academic life wasn’t for her. After dropping out, she worked as a midwife’s assistant in West Virginia, then volunteered at a veterinary hospital in the Bronx. During this period, she experienced a simpler life far from wealth, strengthening her rebellious spirit and individual stance. At that time, there was no indication that she would enter the fashion world, but her creative potential was quietly taking shape.
A Style Born from Grapefruit
In 1952, Lilly married Herbert Peter Pulitzer, grandson of renowned publisher Joseph Pulitzer. Peter Pulitzer stood out in Palm Beach not only because of his family legacy but also due to his social influence. Following their marriage, the couple settled in Palm Beach, one of Florida’s elite resort towns. Palm Beach had become a favorite destination for New York’s high society, known year-round for its climate and luxurious lifestyle. But Lilly rejected the idea of being a housewife who only attended social events in this tropical paradise. She wanted to create a more productive and vibrant life for herself. Peter’s citrus groves became her source of inspiration in this pursuit. Using fruits like oranges and grapefruits, she opened a small juice stand in the historic shopping district of Via Mizner near Worth Avenue. There, she sold freshly squeezed juices to Palm Beach’s wealthy and curious regulars, spending her days under the warm Florida sun. However, constantly squeezing oranges began to stain and wear out her clothes. At the time, ideal dresses for women were tight-fitting and pastel-colored—both impractical and unsuitable for Florida’s heat.
Lilly found an unconventional solution to this practical problem. She asked her seamstress to sew loose-fitting, sleeveless dresses made from colorful and printed cotton fabrics. These dresses not only concealed stains but also reflected her personal style and lively energy. The first Lilly dress, with its vivid tropical prints, cotton texture, and cooling effect, offered a chic yet comfortable alternative. In a short time, customers coming for juice started to notice Lilly’s unique dresses. She began to be seen not as a juice stand operator covered in fruit juice, but as a colorful and original designer. Women began saying, “We want those dresses too.” Lilly didn’t turn away their interest; she started producing these dresses for her friends, customers, and later familiar boutiques. These sleeveless and printed designs, which initially emerged from a practical need, were on their way to becoming a status symbol among Palm Beach’s wealthy women.
Becoming a Palm Beach Icon
In 1959, Lilly officially founded her brand, Lilly Pulitzer. What began as a design journey at a juice stand had now turned into a professional fashion brand. Presenting her first collections to friends and local boutiques, Lilly quickly gained popularity among Palm Beach’s elite circles. Her cheerful, relaxed, and comfort-focused dresses offered not just aesthetics but an entire lifestyle. As a result, they soon became synonymous with the social life of Palm Beach’s high society. Fashion at the time consisted of tight-fitting clothing with neutral or pastel tones that emphasized the waistline. In contrast, Lilly’s designs were lightweight, breezy, and adorned with vibrant prints—so comfortable they could be worn without underwear. These dresses were a lively combination of functionality and elegance, making them not just garments but symbols of social freedom. The real turning point for the brand came thanks to Lilly’s former classmate from Chapin School—Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy. Before she became America’s First Lady, Jackie was photographed in a Lilly dress during a vacation for Life magazine. This image wasn’t just a stylish snapshot; it was a symbolic launch moment that brought national recognition to the Lilly Pulitzer brand. From then on, Lilly’s designs became synonymous not just with Palm Beach but with all of America. A wave of Lilly swept through the fashion world.
A Staple of High Society
Elite figures of the time, such as members of the Rockefeller, Vanderbilt, and Whitney families, began to wear Lilly’s colorful and energetic designs. The brand’s allure came not just from the beauty of its designs but also from the free, light, and effortless lifestyle it offered. The 1960s and ’70s marked the golden era of the Lilly Pulitzer brand. Its headquarters were established in Miami, Florida, while its printed fabrics were produced in exclusive print workshops in Key West. Each collection was created with hand-drawn patterns, tropical motifs, and eye-catching color combinations, making the wearer instantly recognizable. During this period, Lilly Pulitzer became more than just a clothing brand—it became a symbol of American resort fashion. Over time, the products expanded beyond casual summer dresses, offering multi-piece collections that spanned from beachwear to evening events. Lilly’s designs found their place in every summer destination—from Key West to Cape Cod, from the Hamptons to Palm Springs. As the brand grew, Lilly began to portray clothing not just as fashion but as a joyful and free representation of American lifestyle.
A Pause and a Strong Comeback
By 1984, Lilly felt that fashion no longer brought her the same joy. Without any crisis, bankruptcy, or scandal, she decided to close her company at the age of 53. The Lilly dresses, which had a special place in the wardrobes of hundreds of thousands of women until that day, were no longer in production. However, her designs continued to live on through vintage stores and second-hand boutiques. Those who assumed that Lilly’s style of color, joy, and comfort had completely faded underestimated the revolutionary side that had inspired so many women and the fashion world.
Sugartown Worldwide, Inc., a company that admired Lilly’s designs and aesthetic, purchased the rights to the Lilly Pulitzer brand in 1993. The team at Sugartown Worldwide, who wanted to revive the brand, did not expect to find Lilly so humble and warm when they reached out to her. Thanks to the bond they formed, Lilly agreed to contribute to the creative process and approve patterns, even though she didn’t want to take on an active managerial role. With Lilly’s support and the new executive team, the brand soon regained its former glory. New collections, sold at major department stores such as Bloomingdale’s, Saks Fifth Avenue, Nordstrom, and Neiman Marcus, received great attention. Over time, the collections expanded to include accessories, home textiles, stationery, bridalwear, and signature prints. In 2010, the full rights to the brand were acquired by Oxford Industries, Inc. Lilly products, which had become symbols of summer living—especially along the southern and eastern coasts of the U.S.—can now be found in boutiques across Europe and select global vacation destinations from the Caribbean to Asia. Following Lilly’s passing at her Palm Beach home on April 7, 2013, the brand continues to carry the promise of warmth, color, and joy at the core of its Dna.
Lilly Pulitzer Eyewear
Preserving its colorful and patterned style identity, the Lilly Pulitzer brand entered the eyewear category in 2007. This move was part of the brand’s vision to expand its product portfolio and was realized through a global licensing agreement with fellow American company Kenmark Eyewear. Brought to life through Kenmark’s ‘Couteur Designs’ division, this collaboration led to the release of Lilly Pulitzer-branded sun and optical eyewear collections. These collections feature the brand’s signature hand-drawn patterns, vibrant tropical colors, and elegant feminine shapes. Appealing to women and girls alike, these striking collections reach fashion lovers through Kenmark’s boutique retailers and select chain stores. With their lens designs, temple detailing, and pattern-focused textures, Lilly Pulitzer eyewear evokes a true vacation spirit while captivating fashion enthusiasts. American brand Lilly Pulitzer successfully extended its licensing partnership with Kenmark Eyewear in 2021, securing the collaboration until 2026. These vibrant and eye-catching collections, which bring the brand’s colorful spirit into the optical world, continue to move forward in a lively, appealing, and timeless direction.
Chronology
1931
Lilly Pulitzer is born into a wealthy family in Roslyn, New York.
1952
Marries Peter Pulitzer and moves to Palm Beach.
1959
Designs her first dress at a juice stand in Via Mizner and founds the Lilly Pulitzer brand.
1962
Jackie Kennedy is photographed in a Lilly dress; the brand gains national recognition.
1970
Lilly Pulitzer plays a dominant role in American upper-class resort wear.
1984
Lilly closes her brand and retires from fashion.
1993
Sugartown Worldwide revives the brand; Lilly serves as creative advisor.
2007
First eyewear collection launched in partnership with Kenmark Eyewear.
2010
Oxford Industries acquires the brand; product lines expand to home, bridal, and accessories.
2013
Lilly Pulitzer passes away in her Palm Beach home.
2021
Eyewear license with Kenmark is extended through 2026.
2025
With strong global recognition, Lilly Pulitzer reaches a total of 75 stores as a symbol of American resort style.
August 2025
