We attended Alice + Olivia’s Spring 2018 presentation at Skylight Clarkson Sq.
The Collection
Stacey Bendet of Alice + Olivia envisioned a working girl who likes to have fun with color and prints for her latest collection. Bright colors and daring prints dominated the collection which added a feminine touch to some streamlined silhouettes that give the collection some structure. The structured, more severe pieces were balanced with feminine ruffles which are still trending among the rest of the collections we have seen at NYFW this week. However, the tiered fabrics are graced with tropical prints of banana leaves and modern florals that give these pieces a punch. She also mixed in some contrasting pieces to give the collection some more variety. There were light whimsical floral pieces with ruffles which were juxtaposed with darker and edgier pieces but still maintained the same level of femininity to tie together with the rest of the collection.
Bendet also added some wearable workwear to balance out the fun and fresh pieces in the collection. She created a conservative pinstripe jumpsuit as well as some trousers and tailored coats to give the collection an everyday wearable feel to it. Bright colored blazers and workwear will help spice up anyone’s spring outfit for the office as well as some more casual jackets in bold metallics for a pop of color.
The collection has something for everyone with pieces ranging from the office to a party as well as feminine to edgy, there will be something for every girl who likes to have fun. The pieces in the collection are also easy to mix and match in case there are those who can’t decide which silhouette they like best.
Sightings
Per usual alice + olivia, was a starry affair. Paris Hilton and Nicky Hilton, Ty Hunter, Skai Jackson, Beth Stern, Jillian Hervey (Lion Babe), India de Beaufort and Victoria Justice were a few of the celebs in attendance.
Bendet collaborated with Tallulah Willis and Scout Willis on an art installation and Scout performed. Their mother Demi Moore was in attendance. DJ Mia Moretti and violinist Margot of The Dolls performed. A Janis Joplin quote was plastered on the wall behind their DJ Booth. It read, “Don’t compromise yourself. You are all you’ve got. There is no yesterday, no tomorrow, it’s all the same day.”
Art Collaboration
Bendet was inspired by the Chelsea Hotel and enlisted the help of nine female artists to create stunning backdrops for her designs. “I re-imagined the Chelsea Hotel and collaborated with some amazing female artists that I envision would live in the Chelsea Hotel today. Huge thank you to Lola Schnabel, Angelica Hicks, Lucy Sparrow, Francesca DiMattio, Jemima Kirke, Susie Lopez, Blair Breitenstein, Tallulah Willis, and Scout Willis,” she wrote on Instagram.
Lucy Sparrow designed the colorful kitchen, which was our first stop.
In the next space, Tallulah Willis designed the pillows, had a neon sign and wall vases made, and the phrase”Respect The Body” became her wallpaper.
Artist Lola Montes Schnabel created a larger than life sculpture of Stacey in addition to creating one of the patterns.
She shared:
“Well, Stacey wanted a floral pattern ’cause the last print we made together was figurative and my mom was sitting with me and I said, “I’ve seen so many prints that are petals. I’d like to draw bells.” So, she started googling Bleeding Hearts, Delphiniums, Shades of Ireland, so I made this drawing, which was six by six inches, and scanned it in Sicily, sent it from our hotel. It was not even the best scan you could get, and within a week, Stacey had made this fabric that came out of the machine and it just translated so different because she repeated it so it becomes such a bigger thing.
In summer, I love to wear peach ’cause there’s such beautiful sunsets and it just reflects light on the face, so I wanted to have this peachy kind of glow to it. And Stacey had purchased this painting that she’s hanging in the back a while ago, so she wanted to hang it and then I said, ‘You know, instead of putting artwork … I’ve been looking at all these Hellenistic and Greek statues, which I always think of fashion with ’cause the real creative moment in fashion is when you’re draping, and all those stone Roman and Greek statues are so much about draping.’ So, I had made a few of these statues already and I said, ‘Could I make a statue of you? You’re gonna have to put straws in your nose and we’re gonna cover your face with rubber and you can’t breathe.’ Yeah, so I made a mold of her hands and her face and then I got it on Sunday. I had the armature built and the stand is on wheels, and basically the fabric that we made together. I had asked them to put a neck but they didn’t cast her neck so I had a sculpture of myself in my studio and I cut off the head, glued her face on my neck and then the sunglasses are so signature of her that it almost looks like some character from a sci-fi movie.
I drew flowers and they were wet and then I blotted it with a tissue so that there’d be a depth of feel and you feel like the flowers go back into some space rather than everything just being in the foreground. [Stacey is] just such a force. Within two weeks, she had cut these designs and sent me the print and she was so excited about it. It’s nice to work with your friend because she gets everything done and I just give her a little piece and then she turned it into this whole thing. 80% of this is her. It was a lot of fun to take her signature glasses and soak them in plaster.”
Artist Angelica Hicks designed the bathroom!
Here is a look at Girls alum Jemima Kirke’s collaboration with Stacey:
Francesca DiMattio designed the foyer.
Artist Blair Breitenstein created the artwork in the bedroom installation:
And last but not least guests were treated to a soulful set by Scout Willis, who also took a moment to acknowledge those affected by the recent hurricanes.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BY9V7nKhJsl/?hl=en&taken-by=scoutlaruewillis
https://www.instagram.com/p/BY9h1v2BthL/?hl=en&taken-by=scoutlaruewillis
Backstage Beauty
The models’ hands were prepped with ARITAUM Mamonde perfumed hand cream. Capri Blue candles helped everyone relax. Maybelline presented the make up look and Essie did the nails.
Hair
“MY ‘I DID NOT WAKE UP LIKE THIS’ HAIR FROM ALICE + OLIVIA
“Change the direction of the flat iron when creating waves for the most natural finish” – Justine Marjan, TRESemmé Global Stylist
STEP 1: Start by washing hair with TRESemmé Repair & Protect 7 Shampoo and Conditioner and spritz damp hair with the TRESemmé Repair & Protect 7 Pre-Styling Spray to protect hair against breakage
STEP 2: Once hair is dry, mist hair with the TRESemmé TRES Two Hair Spray and brush through
STEP 3: Create a center part and use the 1 ¼ inch ghd Soft Curve Curling Iron on large sections of hair. Alternate directions for each section and leave the ends out to keep them straight
STEP 4: Use the 1 inch ghd Gold Professional Flat Iron to define waves around the face and straighten ends
STEP 5: Spray TRESemmé Fresh Start Volumizing Dry Shampoo at roots and massage with fingers at the scalp for maximum volume
STEP 6: Use the TRESemmé Keratin Smooth Shine Serum on ends by sandwiching hair between your hands and roughing it up for a rock’n’roll effect
TRESEMMÉ PRODUCTS USED: Repair & Protect 7 Shampoo & Conditioner, Repair & Protect 7 Pre-Styling Spray, Fresh Start Volumizing Dry Shampoo, TRES Two Hair Spray, Keratin Smooth Shine Serum
Tools used: 1 ¼ inch ghd Soft Curve Curling Iron, 1 inch ghd Gold Professional Flat Iron, brush
Overall, it was an empowering and fun presentation and we can’t wait to attend next season.
