A Storybook Fantasy at the Alice + Olivia Store 80 W. 40th Street September 11, 2007 Written by Jamie Sharpe Photographed by Mary Blanco

This season’s Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Spring 2008 in New York brought several challenges. Designers and show producers were scrambling up until the last second because of the Jewish holiday. The weather certainly threw up road blocks with relentless humidity and dramatic downpours. And then there was the taxi strike which made commuting around town especially difficult. All off these issues combined with the typical Fashion Week craziness made this season’s logistics problematic. However, the fashion did not fall victim to any of these nuances.

Appreciative guests escaped the numerous problems and “Tents insanity” to attend the Alice + Olivia fashion presentation. Held in store, viewing this collection felt like a special treat. Designer Stacey Bendet transformed her classically clean store into a modern day fairy tale. Using Alice in Wonderland as inspiration, the space was tricked out with imaginative details and bold colors. Cupcakes that said ‘EAT ME’, tea and lemonade abounded among models in tailored pants, flouncy dresses, and structured jackets. The clothing looked fantastic against a glittering background of storybook fashion fun.

This presentation went all out and reminded aspiring fashionistas that upscale luxury should not be devoid of whimsy. Alice + Olivia successfully fused design with décor to give the fashion world a glimpse of realized fantasy-filled dreams. This just proves that designer Stacey Bendet is poised to reach iconic status much like her muse, Alice in Wonderland.

Update: According to the Wall Street Journal, Alice + Olivia is designing a cheap/ chic version of her shoes for Payless.