The designer who popularized bright pink and green color combinations and tropical print shift dresses, 81-year-old Lilly Pulitzer, died yesterday at her Palm Beach home. It was Palm Beach where Pulitzer’s accidental foray into design started: After opening an orange juice stand in 1958 as a hobby, she began developing brightly patterned cotton shifts and tops to help hide the juice stains that came with the job. Her dresses shot to international fame—and became a favorite for the preppy set—when Jackie Kennedy, Pulitzer’s old schoolmate, wore one on vacation not long after. According to an announcement posted yesterday on the official Lilly Pulitzer Facebook page, “Lilly Pulitzer Rousseau passed away peacefully in Palm Beach, surrounded by family and loved ones.” “Lilly has been a true inspiration to us and we will miss her. In the days and weeks ahead we will celebrate all that Lilly meant to us. Lilly was a true original who has brought together generations through her bright and happy mark on the world.” May she rest in peace.
