Lilly Pulitzer, a New York socialite, settled in Palm Beach with her husband. Looking for something to do, Lilly opened a juice stand to make use of the fruit from their citrus groves.
Squeezing citrus fruit was a messy job and Lilly needed a uniform that could withstand the stains. Enlisting her dressmaker, Lilly wore her first sleeveless shift dress with bright pink, orange, yellow and green patterns on cotton fabric.
Customers began asking about her dress, so she had some made to sell at the stand. Soon, she gave up selling juice and began selling “Lillys,” her signature style.
– Rebecca Hastings, The 100 Companies