Timeless styles by designers like Lilly Pulitzer continue to be favorites at Pink Bee GVL.
Leigh Ann Miller, a Wofford grad who was pursuing her MBA in entrepreneurship at Clemson, had planned out the vision for her career. She was set on designing equestrian-themed jackets and selling them direct-to-consumer when COVID hit in March 2020. The pandemic shut down everything and derailed her MBA, along with her impeccably detailed and well-conceived business plan.
Miller had built Wofford’s website and had experience in e-commerce, and through a friend, she connected with the woman who owned Pink Bee in Greenville. When offered a freelance job fulfilling online orders in the clothing boutique’s basement, she took it. But just a few weeks in, the owner confided that she was going to sell the shop or close it down, so Miller jumped at the chance to purchase it. Suddenly, in 2020, the 29-year-old was a store owner in the luxury retail fashion business.
Walk into Pink Bee GVL today, and you’ll find a burst of vibrant colors and dazzling patterns. Offerings are 75 percent for women, but there are also items for children and men, plus shoes, accessories, and an extensive jewelry collection.
“We describe our style as resort chic. There’s a heavy emphasis on Lilly Pulitzer, of course, plus Vineyard Vines, and we do great business with heritage brands Longchamp and Barbour. We also carry Smith & Quinn, who specialize in Italian sport performance fabrics that they use for their ready-to-wear. Vilagallo, a Spanish brand, mixes funky prints and patterns for their classic silhouettes. And Sail to Sable, a Connecticut-based resort wear label that collaborates with fashion influencers such as Palm Beach Lately and Jennifer Lake, is also popular.”
Pink Bee GVL is the exclusive vendor for Lilly Pulitzer in the Greenville area and the only place in the Upstate customers can purchase Longchamp, the most current styles from Vineyard Vines, Sail to Sable, and Smith & Quinn.
Customers come in every age range—from TikTok-posting high school girls to their grandmothers, including many women who shopped there with their mothers and are now shopping with their children. “Three years after COVID, people are traveling, going to parties, and getting dressed up to entertain. Thankfully, the time for sweatpants and leggings is over.”
Resort to These Pink Bee Faves
Bestsellers
- Occasion dresses by Lilly Pulitzer
- Pliage bags by Longchamp
- Custom GVL-printed apparel and accessories by Smith & Quinn
- Coats for men and women by Barbour
European Flair
- Longchamp from France
- Barbour from England
- Vilagallo from Spain
Classic American Style
- Lilly Pulitzer
- Vineyard Vines
- Sail to Sable
- Smith & Quinn
Outfit Specs
Hannah Pearson, Greenville Fashion Week’s Top Model, wears “resort chic” from Pink Bee GVL
Pink Bee GVL, 105 Augusta St., Greenville, 864.271.4332, pinkbeegvl.com
