IN 1924, LILLY DACHE, NOW A NATIONAL BYWORD, ARRIVED IN THIS COUNTRY FROM HER NATIVE FRANCE WITH $15. SHE WAS FIRED FROM MACY'S BECAUSE SHE COULDN'T WRITE A SALES CHECK. SHE STILL CAN'T. SHE WAS THE FIRST MILLINER TO HAVE A SHOP IN AN OFFICE BUILDING, FIRST TO HAVE A BUILDING OF HER OWN, AND FIRST TO RECEIVE THE LORD AND TAYLOR DESIGNER AWARD WHICH SHE WON THIS YEAR FOR HER CONSISTENT STIMULATING INFLUENCE ON FEMALE HEADGEAR. SHE TRIES ON EVERY ONE OF THE NINE THOUSAND HATS SHE DESIGNS EACH YEAR, LUNCHES EVERY DAY AT HOME WITH HER HUSBAND LIKE A TRUE FRENCH WIFE. SHE DOESN'T BELIEVE IN SHOW WINDOWS, COLLECTS CHINESE ART, SAVES HER MONEY, AND RAISES DALMATIANS AND EXOTIC LILIES ON HER FARM IN POUNDRIDGE, NEW YORK...