Description

The brightly colored, playful prints of Lilly Pulitzer’s clothing were a staple of American fashion in the 1960s, ’70s, and ’80s–worn by members of society from Palm Beach to Nantucket, actresses, models, and stylish housewives. One could always spot a Lilly with its undeniable characteristics: clean, comfortable lines; bright and vivid colors; and the fantastical design of its fabrics. Whether at the beach or a cocktail party, these simple shifts for women and girls and jackets and trousers for the gents were a preppy rite of passage. The majority of Pulitzer’s fabric designs from 1962 through 1985 were based on artwork by Key West-based artist Suzie Zuzek. These designs–monkeys sipping martinis, dancing flowers, colorful seashells, op-art geometrics–were all the rage and attracted the eye of such ladies as Jackie Kennedy, Happy Rockefeller, and Dina Merrill. This book–which is a treasure trove of the iconic prints and contextualizes the purely American label–is a must-have for the libraries of those who love fashion and social history.