IT'S PANDAMONIUM!!!
Literally. So the word is out about Lilly Pulitzer's first ever black and white print (with shots of shocking pink, of course).
In November 2009, the Palm Beach designer kicked off a year of "Lilly Loves Green," with signature, conversational prints raising funds and awareness for great green causes.
The Spring 2010 collection, "Protective Prints" was inspired by endangered species from across the globe, from the American crocodile and Florida panther to the Australian Koala.
The focal point of this collection is a bold, graphic black and white panda print, inspired by the World Wildlife Fund's iconic panda logo. The limited edition print is appropriately named: "Pandamonium"!
The Pandamonium collection will hit Lilly Pulitzer stores this February, and includes a women's shift dress, a little Lilly shift dress, a men's blazer and pant, and a beach tote in two sizes. The collection retails from $68 for the small tote to $398 for the men's blazer, and 10% of the proceeds from this collection will directly benefit the World Wildlife Fund.
The not so fashionable part... pandas remain among the world's most threatened animals. There are less than 2,500 left in the wild. The panda is creating quite a stir domestically, as the National Zoo in Washington, DC must send their Great Panda, Tai Shan, back to China this February. Under the Zoo's panda loan agreement, any cub born at the zoo must be returned to China for breeding. The zoo hopes they can translate the attention Tai Shan has generated into awareness for the tragically endangered panda population.
Since the 1950s, Lilly Pulitzer prints have a history of commenting on cultural trends and landmark events. Past Pulitzer prints have depicted the bicentennial, the opening of Disney World, and even the streaker craze! Lilly Pulitzer returns to prints that send a message, with Pandamonium. The collection itself is also green, utilizing 100% cotton, recycled garment labels, and low impact dye.
The Pandamonium will begin on Monday, January 25th at 6am, when the designer will launch a special pre-order of the collection on its Facebook page. Lilly Pulitzer has never repeated a print in fifty years.
Lilly fans and WWF supporters are advised to get this one before it's gone.