FayObserver.com, NC
By Jessica De Vault
Staff Writer
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For Barbara Lepper, a quick glance at her vintage Lilly Pulitzer jumpsuit conjures the memories of balmy nights and outdoor soirees in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
It was in the 1960s when Lepper, then in her 20s, wore her green and pink confection. Then, she was accompanying her husband to the receptions held at the United States Embassy where he was employed.
“I loved (the jumpsuit),” she recalled. When she wore the outfit she said she “always felt happy and proud.”
Now that garment is on display in the Lilly Pulitzer 50th Anniversary Traveling Jubilee Tour. The tour features several submitted clothing items and more than 500 pieces from the company’s vintage collection.
The Lilly Pulitzer brand is known primarily for its bright color palette and beach-inspired hues.
Avery Green, the creative communications associate for Lilly Pulitzer, said customers were encouraged to submit their own Lilly pieces in an online contest for a chance to be showcased in the tour.
“We received hundreds of garments from people throughout the country, as well as photographs and stories about their favorite memories of wearing their Lilly,” Avery said in an e-mail.
Lepper’s jumpsuit was one out of four outfits to be chosen among hundreds of submissions for the traveling retrospective.
Lepper’s sister, Noel Harris, coaxed her into entering the contest.
“We both entered,” Harris said. “We have all kinds of Lilly things.”
Choosing an item to submit wasn’t hard for Lepper. She owns a handful of Lilly clothes and bathing suits from her days in Brazil and her parents’ personal collection. But the jumpsuit, with its unique balloon pants, became the obvious choice.
“I haven’t seen any (jumpsuits) in the Lilly shops in recent times that’s had those bloomer legs like I wore in Brazil. And those pants were how my story was created,” Lepper said.
In her submission story, she said the unique pants protected her legs from the insects at the outdoor parties she frequented. The suit was practical and fashionable, she said.
“I used to get many compliments on the Lilly outfit I wore in Brazil,” she said.
Her story and unique suit caught the attention of the Lilly company.
“Barbara Lepper’s garment, along with the other three winners’ garments, were selected due to their unusualness,” Green said. “They were garments that hadn’t been seen before and are very rare.”
Lepper and her family are still shocked about winning a spot in the tour.
“I was so excited,” Lepper said, with a laugh.
Harris, her sister, was thrilled.
“I’m delighted that she got some recognition. We’ve been wearing Lilly forever, and I thought it was great,” Harris said.
Having her outfit in the tour also showcases their family’s long history with the company.
In the past, her parents were fans of the clothing line and would send Lilly outfits to her in Brazil. As a result, her interest in the designer brand was sparked.
Now she shares her love of Lilly with her husband, children and grandchildren, all of whom own Lilly apparel.
“They’re just really good looking, colorful and pretty. The colors are exciting,” she said. “They’re very fashionable. It’s like people like Ralph Lauren; people like Lilly.”
Staff writer Jessica De Vault can be reached at devaultj@fayobserver.com or 609-0649.
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