Lilly Pulitzer's Fashion Director on How to Unearth the Best of the Iconic Brand

To anyone who revels in a vibrant, colorful, utterly cheerful floral, Janie Schoenborn has the dream job -- Lilly Pulitzer Fashion Director. She spends her days elbow-deep in those peppy, peppy prints.
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To anyone who revels in a vibrant, colorful, utterly cheerful floral, Janie Schoenborn has the dream job -- Lilly Pulitzer Fashion Director. She spends her days elbow-deep in those peppy, peppy prints.

For those who subscribe to the breezy, optimism of Palm Beach living (whether you reside there or not), Schoenborn is in the enviable position of having access to the Pulitzer archives, full of dancing monkeys, blown-up lilies and bold tropicals.

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Janie Schoenborn

Nandini D'Souza, a regular contributor to The Inside Source, eBay's online style magazine, talked to Schoenborn about her enviable position -- her access to the Pulitzer archives, full of dancing monkeys, blown-up lilies and bold tropicals.

"We have such a large and varied collection of vintage 'Lillys.' We own around 300-plus pieces, including bathing suits, maxi dresses and skirts," Schoenborn told Nandini D'Souza, a regular contributor to The Inside Source, eBay's digital style magazine. So much of the archives end up inspiring current collections, from direct prints to riffs on a certain color palette.

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Whitt Shift, Blake Dress

Like so many Pulitzer fans, Schoenborn is always on the hunt for classic pieces that span the collection's half-a-century and, she says, "eBay is our first stop. When a print shows up on eBay that we do not already have, the bidding starts."

Schoenborn shared some of her search secrets. First, there's always a treasure of Lilly Pulitzer. She usually finds up to 200 items on any given day when she starts with a straightforward "vintage Lilly Pulitzer" search. "I found the cutest set of six vintage melamine appetizer plates with matching napkins that I pull out when entertaining."

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Shauna Tunic Dress, Aida Indigo Denim Pant and Paley Cardigan, Jillie Dress

To learn more search secrets and see what lovable Lilly finds Schoenborn tracked down on eBay using her favorite keywords, click here.

(images provided by Lilly Pulizter)

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