Celebrating American Spirit: Alice + Olivia's Spring 2026 Vision
A Grand Setting for a Milestone Celebration: The Surrogate's Court Debut
For the Spring 2026 presentation, Stacey Bendet moved away from her usual Meatpacking District location, opting for the historic Surrogate's Court in downtown Manhattan. This architectural gem, once a stately mansion and now a hub for legal affairs, provided an elegant and symbolic backdrop. Guests were welcomed by Bendet's distinctive interpretation of Lady Liberty, embodied by a model positioned on a balcony. Adorned with a dazzling, rhinestone-encrusted version of the iconic diadem and draped in an expansive white floral gown, this figure visually connected the collection to America's rich garden of diversity and beauty.
Unity Through Style: A Patriotic Yet Polarizing Narrative
Stacey Bendet expressed her intention to create a collection that would highlight the beauty of America and its women during a period of societal division. However, certain design elements within the collection, such as a sleeveless dress featuring a deep V-neck bodice with an American flag and an eagle in flight, coupled with a skirt collaged with images of the Statue of Liberty proclaiming 'American Beauty' and a 48-star flag, might evoke varied responses. These visual narratives aim to provoke thought on national identity and history.
From Fast Food to High Fashion: Eclectic Inspirations
The Spring 2026 collection draws inspiration from a wide array of Americana, ranging from everyday fast food to classic American sportswear. One segment of the collection, influenced by a photograph shared by Lauren Sánchez Bezos from an archival Vogue issue, showcased a blend of eras. This section featured tea-length organza dresses reminiscent of the 1950s, paired with elegant opera gloves, alongside more contemporary pieces like pearl-embellished jackets and jeans, demonstrating a diverse range of stylistic influences.
The Industrial Revolution and AI: A Design \"Inspiration Revolution\"
A notable portion of the presentation was dedicated to denim-centric designs, including denim capris and bedazzled jeans, drawing inspiration from the Industrial Revolution. Bendet also highlighted a novel aspect of her creative process, referring to this season as an "inspiration revolution" due to her extensive use of artificial intelligence. She noted that AI significantly streamlines the design process, allowing her to articulate and visualize desired prints with unprecedented ease and efficiency, reducing the need for traditional graphic design iterations.