It’s “Tortuga Time”: A Lilly Pulitzer “Print with Purpose”

“Palm Beach, Florida is close to our heart as it’s where America’s resort history truly began and where this brand came to life in the late 1950s—Palm Beach is also one of the most important sea turtle nesting grounds in the world. Loggerhead Marinelife Center works hard to protect the sea turtle, the ocean and the beaches they inhabit—we are proud supporters of their conservation efforts and are happy to continue our relationship through this ‘Print with Purpose’ and other initiatives, like Beach Bash Palm Beach, this year.” said Michelle Kelly, CEO of Lilly Pulitzer.

Last December, over 600 young philanthropic leaders celebrated “Life Under Printed Palms” at Beach Bash Palm Beach, presented by Lilly Pulitzer. The event raised critical funds for LMC’s sea turtle and ocean conservation efforts—including a rescued sea turtle named Lilly. Lilly, a large sub-adult loggerhead sea turtle, was found last October just north of the Center with a deep shell wound above the turtle’s shoulder. LMC’s hospital staff treated the injury with antibiotics, honey and therapeutic laser treatment. The staff veterinarian also prescribed hydrotherapy to improve range of motion in the turtle’s injured flipper, creating a whirlpool in the tank. After several months of rehabilitation, Lilly was released and supported by a cheering crowd of several hundred volunteers and guests.

“Sea turtles tell us the health of our ocean; the ocean tells us the health of our planet,” said Jack E. Lighton, Loggerhead Marinelife Center president & CEO. “The ‘Tortuga Time’ Print with Purpose will become another legendary pattern. Looking good while doing good is a hallmark of Lilly Pulitzer and this print will support our mission of sea turtle and ocean conservation, we are humbled to be paired with such a philanthropic brand and look forward to celebrating together at Beach Bash Palm Beach in December.”

This limited-edition print, Tortuga Time, became available in Lilly Pulitzer retail locations, www.lillypulitzer.com, signature stores, and select wholesale partners on Aug. 6.

Lilly Pulitzer speaks to generations of rule-breaking, sun-followers who celebrate the spontaneous bohemian spirit of Lilly Pulitzer. The company’s effortless fashions are truly born from an original. It all happened by accident, when in 1959-ish Lilly (McKim) Pulitzer—a stylish Palm Beach hostess and socialite whose husband Peter Pulitzer owned several Florida citrus groves—needed a project of her own. With Peter’s produce, she opened a juice stand on Via Mizner, just off Worth Avenue in Palm Beach. Lilly Pulitzer’s business was a hit, but squeezing oranges, lemons, limes, and pink grapefruit made a mess of her clothes. Realizing that she needed a juice stand uniform, Lilly asked her dressmaker to design a dress that would camouflage the stains. The result? A comfortable sleeveless shift dress made of bright, colorful printed cotton in pink, green, yellow and orange. Although her customers liked Lilly’s juice, they loved her shift dresses. Soon Lilly was selling more shift dresses than juice, so she decided to stop squeezing and focus on designing and selling her “Lillys.” Lilly Pulitzer became a fashion sensation and a creator of authentic American resort wear as we know it. The brand is now more popular than ever and continues to create authentic printed styles straight from the in-house print design studio. For more brand history and juicy stories, head here.

Loggerhead Marinelife Center is a non-profit sea turtle hospital that promotes conservation of ocean ecosystems with a focus on threatened and endangered sea turtles. The Center features an on-site campus hospital, research laboratory, educational exhibits and aquariums, and also operates the Juno Beach Pier, a pier that hosts world-class fishing and sightseeing. Situated on one of the world’s most important sea turtle nesting beaches, Loggerhead Marinelife Center is open daily and hosts over 300,000 guests free-of-charge each year.