Last year I became aware of and enamored with alice+olivia by Stacey Bendet. Normally, affectionately ogling clothing that I can never wear is a depressing experience, but looking at the wares that Stacey Bendet creates, is akin to admiring art. I’ve yet to see an article of clothing by her that I do not at least like. Of course I am aware that some of the appeal of what I see is due in part to the models selected, and the skill of the photographer, but all of it is a testament to Stacey’s brilliant vision. I subscribed to the a+o newsletter, simply to be able to receive an email from a brand I hold in high regard, but I kept the subscription because (God help me), even the email campaigns are fabulous.

Stacey Bendet seems to possess an unlimited supply of creative brilliance. When we covered her spring/summer 2020 designs last year, I had assumed (being woefully unfamiliar with the brand) that what I saw was the epitome of her creativity. I thought that surely no one can maintain that level of awesome for but so long. Obviously, I was wrong. Her Fall 2020 designs, in collaboration with Zero Waste Daniel, are just as fantastic as the previous season’s. The presentation took place at Highline Stages, Monday, February 10. It was a two hour affair that:

• Brought Stacey Bendet’s wanderlust vision to life in a series of five other worldly sets meant to transport attendees through time.

• Saw five elaborate sets featuring beautiful eclectic furniture and rugs sourced from Newel.

• Witnessed Bendet taking a conscious approach to NYFW and joined forces with designer and non-waste pioneer, Zero Waste Daniel to breathe new life into a few preexisting styles. Zero Waste Daniel, known for his fashionable creative approach in reducing waste applied excess fabric from FA20 to older styles giving them an updated fresh new look.

• While the Glenlivet helped guests stay warm with a custom TGL Hot Toddy cart. Fashion goers enjoyed sipping on The Glenlivet hot toddy’s while walking through the alice + olivia presentation.

• With Mia Moretti and Margot from The Dolls setting the mood with curated dj set and vocal performance.

The alice + olivia fall/winter 2020 collection is inspired by the globetrotter: beautiful prints, fabric and artwork from across the world create an individualized concept of modern renaissance. alice + olivia designer Stacey Bendet took cues from her own artistic process renovating an apartment in The Dakota, perhaps New York City’s most iconic landmark residence. Choosing with care the modern pieces and eclectic patterns that would fill her home and bring light to the building’s grand gothic architecture took her imagination and eye on a nomadic worldwide journey. This season brings her apartment to life in clothes that evoke rich graphic tapestries, vintage French fabrics and even the deep ebony accents in the designer’s home. And like the apartment, the collection comes together with modern flair, ready to live in and inspire.

Fall/winter 2020 is modern bohemian grounded in strong materials and palettes. Its eclectic beauty is showcased in a sequence of gorgeously furnished vignettes. The sets begin with a magical dark forest, and travel through far-flung locations like an old-world Orient Express train and a chateau filled with vintage trunks, rugs and wonders.

The collection itself brings a modern twist to color blocking, with autumn gold, ruby red, and bright teal mini and maxi dresses styled with black sculptural faux-leather and croc (made into chic puffers, trenches, and dresses) and luxurious faux-fur. This back-to-black color blocking is complemented by old master paintings featured in prints and on t-shirts and sweatshirts, accented with pearl hardware details. Statement knits are featured as full looks, swathed and styled to create effortless autumn drama.

The beautiful engineered prints in the collection mix interior materials from all over the world, creating tapestry-like patterns that tell a completely new story. Intricate embroidery, billowy sleeves, high-cut necks and tops with delicate smocking give the collection its old-world attention to craft, while cropped silhouettes, and fun faux-croc make the clothes entirely modern.

Renaissance gets tough with camo print motifs on pretty dresses and puffer coats. The graphics are bold and strong and work in chorus with the collection’s rich textures: beautiful brocades, bohemian burnout silks and colorful paisleys.

Bendet says,

“What’s old is right again: we ought to take time to appreciate the beauty of what’s here, and make it new.”

This season, alice + olivia collaborated with Zero Waste Daniel, a New York based young designer and non-waste pioneer. At the conclusion of the design process for alice + olivia’s Fall/Winter 2020, Zero Waste Daniel applied excess fabric to breathe new life into preexisting styles like the alice+ olivia amazing high-rise boyfriend jean that features an appliqued multicolor metallic jacquard peacock motif which is paired with a bordeaux flat sequined blouson sleeve top and hand embroidered, embellished mix media denim jacket. Zero Waste Daniel says, “I am thrilled to have the opportunity to show how zero waste fashion can be applied to so many styles and have the chance to flex my design skills with such a fun and colorful customer in mind. alice + olivia is the perfect partner because in order to make sustainability popular you have to also make it fun and A+O is the MOST FUN!”

Fall/Winter 2020 embodies a nomadic spirit and is an ode to vintage eclecticism for the globe trotter with a present-day wanderlust heart that is inspired by both the beauty of the past and the possibilities of the future.

Like everything else in her world, Stacey Bendet chooses the best collaborators. Zero Waste Daniel is a New York based clothing designer and zero-waste lifestyle pioneer who uses pre-consumer waste sourced from New York City’s garment industry, as well as other hard-to-recycle materials, to create his line of genderless clothing and accessories. Daniel’s story and brand went viral in 2017 with more than 35 million views worldwide on NOW THIS, Insider, Mashable, and BuzzFeed. Daniel continues to inspire change and make headlines by growing the mission of ending waste culture and redefining sustainable fashion. In 2019, his projects were featured on CNN, BuzzFeed News, PAPER MAGAZINE, and most recently The New York Times.

There were the usual guests (and new faces as well) attending the a+o event, all spectacularly decked out in magnificent finery: Victoria Justice, Jenny Mollen, Delilah Belle Hamlin, Amelia Gray Hamlin, Katherine McNamara, Huma Abedin, Danielle Bernstein, Zero Waste Daniel, Tori Praver, Addison Easterling, Ava Michelle Larsen Thompson, Charlotte D’alessio, Cosett Rinab, Josie Cansenco, and others. While all in attendance looked marvelous, I’d like to tip my hat to Tessa Hilton, who was also present. In case you didn’t know, the dj diva is expecting a bundle of joy any moment now, and she totally rocked her baby bump in her shimmering, silvery dress at the event.

Now run along, and get to what you really came here for, and check out these amazing images.

Find alice+olivia by Stacey Bendet at: Web / aliceandolivia.com Instagram / @aliceandolivia Twitter / @aliceandolivia

Find Zero Waste Daniel at: Web / zerowastedaniel.com Instagram / @zerowastedaniel Twitter / @ZeroWasteDaniel

Header Image and Second Gallery Block: © Getty Images, First Gallery Block: © David X Prutting/BFA.com Other images courtesy of alice+olivia.
Special thanks to Lee Nielsen at H&S PR for the hookup.