An annual highlight of New York Fashion Week is always a look into the magical dreamworld of alice + olivia by Stacey Bendet.
The brand, named after Bendet’s mother, is known for its playful yet sophisticated style, combining vivid prints, bold colors, and timeless silhouettes. The brand gained recognition for its modern approach to fashion, offering women an eclectic mix of clothing that bridges the gap between playful creativity and elegant design.
Playful, creative, and elegant were at the forefront this year, as Bendet transported attendees into Hotel Imagination, a dreamy world of style and artistry showcasing alice + olivia’s Spring 2025 collection.
The presentation featured various “rooms” throughout the hotel imagination. alice + olivia’s presentations always offer an immersive experience that brings viewers in and out of many different stories. Each room was a story in itself, capturing the whimsical spirit of the collection through themed vignettes. From the delicate Lace Library to the enchanting Fantasy Floral Salon, every corner was steeped in color, texture, and narrative. A nod to vintage times, hot air balloons, and vintage cars lent a sense of nostalgia and hope, while each display invited guests to imagine themselves as the heroine of their own fashion fantasy.
“My mother once told me I dream in dresses,” Bendet shared. “The collection is an ode to both imagination and wearable couture. I wanted romance again, and I want women to see clothing as art.” This vision was tangible in the collection, which combined Fifties and Sixties silhouettes—drop-waist dresses, full skirts, and crystal-embellished tunics—with a modern twist.
Bendet’s unique perspective on fashion, blending timeless elegance with modern sensibilities, is clear in every piece. Sculptural jackets, luxurious gowns, and corsets executed in stretch knits felt fresh and current, even as they paid homage to classic couture shapes. The season’s “must-have” Olivia pants, celebrated for its perfect, flattering fit, stood out as a key item in the collection. Meanwhile, innovative features like the #snapskirt, which allows for quick hem adjustments, demonstrated alice + olivia’s dedication to practical elegance.
The collection’s color palette, described as “preppy primary,” drew from both soft hues and bold pops of color. Pastel chambray, banana yellow, and dusty pink intertwined with more assertive reds and blues, creating a balance of sophistication and playfulness. Preppy staples like bouclé lady jackets and smart knit polos added a timeless touch, while menswear-inspired ties and button-downs provided a playful contrast.
The intricate craftsmanship of alice + olivia’s pieces truly shined, with laser-cut appliqué florals, luxurious lace, and delicate broderie anglaise infusing the collection with texture and dimension. Bendet’s connection to lace, stemming from her family’s lace production heritage, was a prominent feature. This season, lace extended beyond clothing and into the beauty looks, where it was woven into romantic hairstyles.
The eveningwear stole the spotlight with dazzling pieces like a glittering column gown adorned with hundreds of pink mirrored shards and a series of stunning capes fit for modern royalty. And for the first time since 2019, alice + olivia reintroduced handbags—each one a work of art that tied back to the collection’s core themes. From crystal-encrusted clutches to hand-embellished glittering baguettes, these limited-edition accessories were showstoppers in their own right.
Bendet was joined by Olivia Culpo and sister Sophia Culpo, Paris Jackson, Mary J Blige, Paris, Kathy and Nicky Hilton, Ava Phillipe, Elizabeth Gillies, Loren Gray, Leonie Hanne, Brooks Nader and sisters Sarah and Mary Nader, Bijou Phillips, Tiffany Haddish, Maitreyi Ramakrishnan, Nadine Leopold, Devyn Winkler, Claudia Oshry, Allison Holker, Heidi D’Amelio, Natalie Lim and Dylana Suarez, Tina Craig, Venetia Kidd, Madisin Rain, Sharina Gutierrez, Katie Fang, Isan Elba and more to celebrate the stunning collection.
“It’s all about a nod to the past while ushering in the future. Women want clothes that are wearable and expressive. I want to make clothes that always feel unique and make a woman feel her most beautiful,” Bendet says.
