Suzie Zuzek for Lilly Pulitzer

Lilly Pulitzer's pre-1985 resort wear is an American classic. This book introduces for the first time the archive of drawings that were the basis for the whimsical and timeless prints we all know and love.

The brightly colored, playful prints of Lilly Pulitzer's clothing were a staple of American fashion in the 1960s, '70s, and '80s--worn by members of society from Palm Beach to Nantucket, actresses, models, and stylish housewives. One could always spot a "Lilly" with its undeniable characteristics: clean, comfortable lines; bright and vivid colors; and the fantastical design of its fabrics. Whether at the beach or a cocktail party, these simple shifts for women and girls and jackets and trousers for the gents were a preppy rite of passage.

The majority of Pulitzer's fabric designs from 1962 through 1985 were based on artwork by Key West-based artist Suzie Zuzek. These designs--monkeys sipping martinis, dancing flowers, colorful seashells, op-art geometrics--were all the rage and attracted the eye of such ladies as Jackie Kennedy, Happy Rockefeller, and Dina Merrill. This book--which is a treasure trove of the iconic prints and contextualizes the purely American label--is a must-have for the libraries of those who love fashion and social history.Susan Brown is the associate curator of textiles at Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum in New York. Caroline Rennolds Milbank is a Charleston-based fashion historian, author, curator, and appraiser.