\nFayObserver.com, NC<\/p>\n
By Jessica De Vault
\nStaff Writer
\nADVERTISEMENT<\/p>\n
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.
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\nIt 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.<\/p>\n
\u201cI loved (the jumpsuit),\u201d she recalled. When she wore the outfit she said she \u201calways felt happy and proud.\u201d<\/p>\n
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\u2019s vintage collection.<\/p>\n
The Lilly Pulitzer brand is known primarily for its bright color palette and beach-inspired hues.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe received hundreds of garments from people throughout the country, as well as photographs and stories about their favorite memories of wearing their Lilly,\u201d Avery said in an e-mail.<\/p>\n
Lepper\u2019s jumpsuit was one out of four outfits to be chosen among hundreds of submissions for the traveling retrospective.<\/p>\n
Lepper\u2019s sister, Noel Harris, coaxed her into entering the contest.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe both entered,\u201d Harris said. \u201cWe have all kinds of Lilly things.\u201d<\/p>\n
Choosing an item to submit wasn\u2019t hard for Lepper. She owns a handful of Lilly clothes and bathing suits from her days in Brazil and her parents\u2019 personal collection. But the jumpsuit, with its unique balloon pants, became the obvious choice.<\/p>\n
\u201cI haven\u2019t seen any (jumpsuits) in the Lilly shops in recent times that\u2019s had those bloomer legs like I wore in Brazil. And those pants were how my story was created,\u201d Lepper said.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cI used to get many compliments on the Lilly outfit I wore in Brazil,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Her story and unique suit caught the attention of the Lilly company.<\/p>\n
\u201cBarbara Lepper\u2019s garment, along with the other three winners\u2019 garments, were selected due to their unusualness,\u201d Green said. \u201cThey were garments that hadn\u2019t been seen before and are very rare.\u201d<\/p>\n
Lepper and her family are still shocked about winning a spot in the tour.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was so excited,\u201d Lepper said, with a laugh.<\/p>\n
Harris, her sister, was thrilled.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m delighted that she got some recognition. We\u2019ve been wearing Lilly forever, and I thought it was great,\u201d Harris said.<\/p>\n
Having her outfit in the tour also showcases their family\u2019s long history with the company.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Now she shares her love of Lilly with her husband, children and grandchildren, all of whom own Lilly apparel.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019re just really good looking, colorful and pretty. The colors are exciting,\u201d she said. \u201cThey\u2019re very fashionable. It\u2019s like people like Ralph Lauren; people like Lilly.\u201d
\nStaff writer Jessica De Vault can be reached at devaultj@fayobserver.com or 609-0649.
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