This past weekend, Lilly Pulitzer, the originator of American Resort Wear, made a momentous return to the runway, a first for the brand in nearly two decades. The 65th Anniversary Fashion Show took place at the Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens, where Lilly Pulitzer and the museum debuted a photography exhibit Slim Aarons: Gold Coast, in partnership with Getty Images, honoring Slim Aaron’s work and their brand founder, where he captured the Palm Beach icon herself. Most notably, the fashion show showcased the brand’s upcoming Spring 2025 collection and a fresh new addition: menswear.
The Spring ’25 Runway Show opened with a one-of-a-kind maxi shift, which is the style that started it all, and was followed by 37 showstopping Spring 2025 looks, rooted in the brand’s resort aesthetic and styled by Palm Beach stylist Katherine Lande. Also featured on the runway was a new Reserve Capsule of elevated special occasion fashion pieces, building upon the success of the brand’s sold-out Anniversary Collection from Spring 2024. Additionally, the show included two special pieces from legendary designers and Palm Beach locals Mark Badgley and James Mischka, who have previously partnered with Lilly Pulitzer for a sell-out collection last Spring. In the show, Lilly x Badgley Mischka returned with two exclusive embellished looks designed especially for this show. To learn more about the looks featured, please visit here
“Today, we look ahead and celebrate the casual elegance, colorful charm, and sunny spirit that permeates through each whimsical collection. The Spring 2025 Runway Collection began with the essence of art, which is why we launched the collection at the iconic Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens. Ann Norton, like Lilly, was a strong female force, and artist, both uniquely drawn to their craft,” said Mira Fain, Lilly Pulitzer Executive Vice President of Design & Development. “The Spring 2025 prints draw from the soft-handed watercolor prints layered with overlapping bold, graphic, heritage-inspired positive and grounding pink and green prints inspired by the beauty of nature and the effervescent sprit of Palm Beach.
The Lilly Pulitzer menswear collection, dropping in Spring 2025, is an ode to the brand’s first-ever men’s collection originating from the 1960s. This inaugural collection will be donning the original name coined by Lilly herself, titled Men’s Stuff. This time, the collection is taking inspiration from their heritage coloring and prints reimagined for the modern man. Men’s Stuff will pay homage to true menswear resort collections, linen shirts, printed bottoms, polos and swim trunks, printed blazers, ties, and matching pocket squares. The male models on the runway walked along notable Palm Beach locals, including some of the Pulitzer family.
“As we close out our 65th Anniversary celebration and look to the bright future of the brand, there’s no better time or place to come back to the runway than with this collaboration honoring the essence of Lilly herself,” said Michelle Kelly, CEO of Lilly Pulitzer. “With such remarkable inspiration from the era of Slim and Lilly, we immediately thought this was the perfect moment to debut our Spring 2025 collection and announce the revival of Men’s Stuff.” Lilly Pulitzer has offered small drops of menswear in recent years, primarily in the swimwear and casual space. Menswear will be a new business category for 2025 and the brand plans to drop new pieces each season next year.
The show was attended by Mark Badgley, James Mischka, Hannah Selleck, Bobby (Lilly Pulitzer’s grandson) and Ivey Leidy, Mary Aarons (Slim Aarons’ daughter), Nick and Molly Mele, Lilly Leas Ferreira (granddaughter of Lilly Pulitzer) and more.
The photography exhibition will feature dozens of Aarons’ celebrated works alongside a selection of never-before-seen images recently pulled from his archive, including many of Palm Beach icon Lilly Pulitzer. All images are available for purchase, and the proceeds will benefit the Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens. Never-before-seen pieces of Lilly Pulitzer artwork and an archive of Lilly dresses and iconic Men’s collection pieces will be on display from the brand, showcasing the forever relevance of the beloved Palm Beach matriarch.
Source: PR Newswire
