Florida and fashion go hand in hand

Most Floridians know the juicy story behind fashion icon Lilly Pulitzer. She developed her splashy patterns to hide citrus spills on her clothing. Now her designs are a mainstay in the annals of fashion history.

The Palm Beach socialite and her colorful shifts have long been associated with Florida fashion. Pulitzer set the stage for Floridian fashion when she became president of her company, Lilly Pulitzer, Inc., in 1959. With fabrics produced in Key West, the Palm Beach resident saw her designs on Jackie Onassis and her daughter Caroline Kennedy, as well as members of the Vanderbilt and Rockefeller families.

But our state is home to many more fashion brands that found their footing in Florida.

Over ten years ago, the late Matlacha artist Leoma Lovegrove began collaborating with Beall’s department store on her signature collection. Naples Jewelry designer Amanda Jaron, long recognized for her metal and gem work, has branched off into an apparel and accessories collection. And industry leader, the Chico’s FAS group, which includes Chico’s, White House Black Market and Soma brands, is headquartered in Ft. Myers.

Now in its fourth decade, the Chico’s company is a source of pride for South Florida. Founded in 1983, the brand has a strong following and name recognition. “I remember shopping at the very first Chico’s when we would come down here for vacation in the ‘80s,” says Bonita resident Trudy Gundersen. “We didn’t even live here yet, but we would take the family to Sanibel, and I remember the original store. It was on Periwinkle.”

Chico’s founders Marvin and Helene Gralnick, who met in Guadalajara, Mexico, brought their love of Mexican folk art to Sanibel in 1983. In Periwinkle Place, they opened a gift shop called Folk Art Specialties (FAS). The name soon changed to Chico’s and eventually became the successful clothing boutique.

By 1992, the company had expanded to 60 locations and began designing the prints and patterns for which it is now recognized. Fast forward to 2001, when the Chico’s FAS Founders building opened in Ft. Myers and Chico’s FAS debuted on the New York Stock Exchange.

Sycamore Partners acquired Chico’s FAS, in January 2024. Following the acquisition, Chico’s FAS became part of Sycamore’s KnitWell Group, which includes Ann Taylor, LOFT, Talbots and other fashion stalwarts.

Director of PR and Corporate Communication Courtney Gillan Forand says customer input is what has made the brand so beloved in Florida and nationwide.

“Our design teams stay closely connected to consumer feedback, preferences, and lifestyle needs – listening to what she loves, how she lives and what she is looking for in her wardrobe,” Forand explains. “They blend that customer understanding with thoughtful innovation so that they can consistently deliver what she comes to us for: flattering fit, versatility, and comfortable, trend-right styles.

In September, industry expert Trish Donnelly was selected as the company’s new CEO. “This week I officially started in my new role with KnitWell Group as Division CEO for Chico’s FAS. It’s a transformative time in retail, and I’m looking forward to collaborating with the incredible teams at Chico’s, Soma, and White House Black Market as we write the next chapter of growth for our brands.”

And the brand is showing no signs of slowing down. “The opportunities ahead are extraordinary, and I look forward to partnering with the teams to write the next chapter of growth and success for our brands,” adds Donnelly.

Designer Amanda Jaroun says the Florida lifestyle inspires creativity. Jaron parlayed a design background into a successful jewelry and accessories line.

“Unlike other places I’ve designed for,” she says, “Naples’ clients truly embrace custom artwork. People come to Naples to be happy. Many of us arrive with black and gray wardrobes from up north, and suddenly the sunshine brings out a love for bright, joyful color.”

That quality is evident in Jaroun’s designs.

“My clients want pieces that celebrate what we love about Naples and what we love about life in general. My very first art commission growing up on Clearwater Beach was designing T-shirt graphics for a local surf shop. It is that bright beachy vibe that feels appropriate for clothing inspired by this environment, even decades ago,” Jaroun says.

The designer agrees that the future looks as bright as the fabrics inspired by our sunny surroundings. “I’ve lived in Naples for over 20 years and have spent years sketching Naples iconography simply because I love this city,” she says. Those sketches later became the foundation for many of her jewelry designs and now her fashion designs. “Naples’ clients embrace that joy, that color, and that personal connection,” she continues. “Their enthusiasm makes designing jewelry and now, fashion for this community incredible.”

From Palm Beach polish to Sanibel ease and Naples’ art-forward spirit, Florida’s fashion story has always been shaped by lifestyle. These brands, whether global names or homegrown labels, are created for how people live in South Florida.

Florida fashion continues to evolve, growing into a recognizable aesthetic widely embraced far beyond state lines, and shaped by sunshine.