At a simple glance, Lilly Pulitzer, one of Palm Beach's fondest progeny, turned her irreverent barefoot style and colorful prints into a trend that has translated into a casual elegance in both fashion and home design.

A young Lilly set out to help her husband, Peter Pulitzer's, orange grove business. First, she delivered fruit through the back door to the tony estates she would often frequent for parties, and later, she opened a Worth Avenue juice and gift shop that would change her life forever. Lilly probably would agree that "necessity is the mother of invention." Her charm and chutzpah eventually gave birth to the simple A-shaped dress that would become known worldwide as the "Lilly."

The original fabrics for her "nothing dresses" came from stores that sold notions, such as Woolworths, and were selected because of their ability to conceal the stains from juicing oranges. By the time her first bunch sold out, Lilly recognized that she could make the shifts better by lining them, which meant they could be worn sans underwear in the heat of South Florida. Later, her design sensibility led to embellishments such as trim and ribbons, which made them more of a fashion statement to her WASP audience.

Eventually, Lilly started to design and have her own fabric printed in Key West. Her designs were a crazy mix of zebras, hibiscus, fruits and palm trees all in sherbet-like colors and with just the right amount of white to show off one's tan.

In the latest Lilly biography, "Lilly: Palm Beach, Tropical Glamour and the Birth of a Fashion Legend", author Kathryn Livingston researches and interviews many of Lilly's acquaintances for the foundation of her book. In following the rise of Lilly from debutante to entrepreneur, she discovers that behind the effervescent and charming young woman was a savvy designer and tastemaker. Her shop and her home were a mix of the sublime and casual set in a jungle of color and fantasy. Although shy, she understood doing business with a smile. Lilly eventually expanded her enterprise into a $15,000,000-a-year business with nearly 30 stores throughout Florida and other handpicked chi-chi destinations.

More than just a business, what Lilly had unknowingly spawned was a lifestyle brand, a business model that has been copied by the likes of Ralph Lauren, Tommy Hilfiger and almost every other well-known designer. A pioneer of this idea, Lilly designed more than just fashion for the country-club ladies; she offered swim trunks, blazers for gentlemen, kids apparel and home design. Lilly influenced a great number of manufacturers and designers who would make yellows, pinks, oranges and greens all the rage during the 1970s, a design punch that continues today.

Much deserved attention has been paid recently to Lilly's impact on the home-furnishing and textile industries. Kravet licensed Lilly's fabrics to celebrate the designer in honor of her 80th birthday.

To meet Kathryn Livingston, visit Hillcrest Collections in West Palm Beach, Fla., on Saturday, Nov. 24, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. for the official book signing. A special window design, inspired by Lilly's own home and her line of fabrics, has been installed.

Joseph Pubillones is the owner of Joseph Pubillones Interiors, an award-winning interior design firm based in Palm Beach, Florida. To find out more about Joseph Pubillones, or to read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.