Brunch With Lilly Pulitzer
It's no secret I flew down to Palm Beach last weekend for Lilly Pulitzer's birthday brunch (follow me on Twitter to keep up). The white tent affair was buzzing with lovely ladies in iconic pastel Lillys, Palm Beach gossip, and jazz music. Kiel, Vickers, and I are seated at the table next to Lilly. She is still exquisite at 80. We meet, we pose for an onslaught of photos for the likes of Town & Country, we make small talk. She is as lovely as you have probably fantasized. Though she hasn't helmed the eponymous brand since 1984, Lilly Pulitzer Rousseau remains the Palm Beach darling the brand was built upon.
After a spirited version of Happy Birthday (led by none other than Kiel), we're treated to a collection of rare and vintage Lillys at the Museum of Lifestyle & Fashion History—a collection made in part by some of Mary Lane's own shifts (official Lilly ambassador and owner of the largest known collection of Lillys). During the line's heyday, Pulitzer subtly placed her first name in many of her prints in order to establish authenticity amongst other designers following in her wake. Look closely at the vintage prints below to see how sly "Lilly" was worked into her iconic designs. How many can you spot?
Photographed in Boynton Beach, FL
left a comment on 11/16/2011 at 7:06 AM:
@AEV, You had to receive an invitation. It was $75 per person and $750 for a table. It was a charity/fund raising event for The Museum of Lifestyle & Fashion in Boynton Beach. If I knew you were going FEC, I would have dropped in.
left a comment on 11/15/2011 at 7:36 PM:
It is my understanding that her name is still found hidden in all of the prints, to this day.
left a comment on 11/15/2011 at 3:09 PM:
i am so jealous. i would kill to go to a society event honoring Lilly Pulitzer
left a comment on 11/15/2011 at 2:53 PM:
That blue print in the first column, seventh row is from my vintage bathrobe that is in the exhibit. Wish I could have made it to the event on Saturday - I’ve met Lilly twice now because of the exhibit and she is an absolute doll!
left a comment on 11/15/2011 at 1:38 PM:
Love the copy! Any woman would be delighted to be called ‘exquisite.’ Looking forward to seeing more images from the event!
left a comment on 11/15/2011 at 1:24 PM:
It was fabulous seeing and meeting you at the event, though I understand you missed Lindsey over a silly flat tire. Glad you enjoyed your weekend in our lovely Palm Beaches. Great collage of vintage Lilly.
left a comment on 11/15/2011 at 12:39 PM:
I haven’t looked into it recently, but you used to be able to buy yards of fabric directly from Lilly and take it to a tailor to make pants. I personally hope you can, because the cut of their pants are way too wide.
left a comment on 11/15/2011 at 9:25 AM:
Thanks so much for coming and helping to make Lilly’s day. I know she loved meeting you and seeing the next generation of style setters. Great collage of prints!
left a comment on 11/15/2011 at 8:34 AM:
Classic! Love those prints.
I too miss the Lilly Pulitzer men’s “stuff”, but I suspect LP designs are too “fruity” for today’s sensitive, insecure male.
There was an LP event here in OC recenty, which sadly I couldn’t attend.
left a comment on 11/15/2011 at 7:26 AM:
I love the collage of vintage and current fabrics,,,well done
left a comment on 11/15/2011 at 1:48 AM:
what ever happened to lilly’s men’s line? it’s been severely lacking in recent seasons!
Austen left a comment on 11/30/2011 at 3:25 PM:
this site is divine.