alice + olivia Wins for Most Creative Fall Presentation…and Best Heels
By Kafi Drexel
I wouldn’t have been able to keep my mouth from watering if it weren’t for the pink champagne supplied to the masses lured in by Stacey Bendet’s Fall 2014 alice + olivia presentation. It was staged at the McKittrick Hotel, home to the immersive theatrical production of Sleep No More. It was elaborate, creative, ambitious and quite simply the best thing I experienced for all of fashion week.
Based on fairy tales of princesses and forbidden apples, Stacey and her entire team officially became the good witches of fashion. I’m now firmly under their spell. Stacey’s “Enchanted…A Mid Winter’s Night Dream” was definitely a wardrobe Narnia I didn’t mind getting lost in. Sticking with the dream theme, I couldn’t help but fantasize about shrouding myself in one of her chunky luxurious knits around a warm campfire (while “glamping” of course).
And you can’t be in a fairy tale without planning for the ball. There were plenty of creative choices for that including two pairs of heels that only hot witches and good girls that click their heels and say “There’s no place like home” would love. Those included the black Jane jewel-encrusted heel and royal red crystal bow Jessie shoe.
Victorian romance also played a major role in the fall 2014 alice + olivia story. That was evident in rich black and gold metallics, and white lace. A massive highlight was a nude tulle, pleated bodice gown with black tulle underlay. The styling of the model was impeccable with a fantastic wig and sailing ship headpiece and a broom stick at her side. Snow White in her glass case was also a standout (and she was likely the envy of every model in the show with the opportunity to feign deep sleep through a more than three-hour presentation). Even the most Victorian touches were modernized with all models manicured with black Essie nails with gold-dot pattern (and in at least one case, 70s style jeans).
The show was a huge draw, attracting socialites and heiresses including Paris and Nicky Hilton along with Lydia Hearst-Shaw. She is, by the way, one of the most striking people I’ve ever seen…and she was as sweet as any real-life princess could be, posing for several pictures for me. Now that Lydia is a mentor on Oxygen’s The Face, I’ll definitely tune in. Some people just give you the vibe that they’re good. Lydia is one of them. The a + o dress she was outfitted in is the one I walked away wanting the most.
Gossip Girl mom Kelly Rutherford was also in attendance. Though her life is far from the fairy tale it should be right now she certainly moves through space like she is in one. Anna Sophia Robb of The Carrie Diaries was also in attendance…she even gave me her cell phone to take a few personal snaps (that girl has awesome skin). On my way out the door, I brushed shoulders with John Legend’s wife, Chrissy Teigen. Not a bad crew.
All fairy tales come to a close…I just hope this one finishes with a few of alice + olivia’s fall pieces on my body as I kiss my prince and conquer the dragons of life. I’m a firm believer in happily ever after and smart purchases.
[Photo Credit: Kafi Drexel]
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