Lilly Pulitzer, which has developed a cultlike following for its floral-printed dresses and sportswear, is celebrating its 60th anniversary with a slew of initiatives.
In an interview, Michelle Kelly, the brand’s chief executive officer since 2016, outlined several developments at the King of Prussia, Pa.-based firm. Among the initiatives:
• Developing a tennis, swim and golf collection.
• Opening a Palm Beach flagship Nov. 6 at 240 Worth Avenue in Palm Beach, formerly occupied by Hermès, which moved to Royal Poinciana Plaza.
• Expanding to the West Coast with its first California store opening in Fashion Island in Newport Beach in January.
• Opening its first freestanding store in Hawaii on Maui.
The company has developed a profitable and fast-growing direct-to-consumer business with 62 stores, which are largely concentrated on the East Coast, and a digital flagship. Florida is the company’s strongest market, said Kelly. Pulitzer opened its first store in Maui this summer. “It’s been really nice, and added new customers to the brand,” said Kelly, who has spent 14 years at Pulitzer, following her Harvard MBA and McKinsey experience.
The company got its start when Lilly Pulitzer herself opened her first juice stand in Palm Beach and then designed a dress to camouflage the juice
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