Imagine a wardrobe where every piece feels like a celebration- a mix of bold prints, pops of color, and unexpected silhouettes that transform everyday dressing into an art. That’s the vibrant vibe of alice + olivia by Stacey Bendet, a brand synonymous with a playful yet polished aesthetic.
We sought to connect with the trendy trailblazer redefining modern femininity, Stacey Bendet, CEO & Creative Director, alice + olivia.
Stacey is a visionary icon whose eclectic sense of style and innovative design approach has made her a leading force in contemporary women's fashion. In addition to being a wife and mom, she’s also passionate about philanthropy and the Founder of Creatively, a networking platform for the creative industry.
Here’s our exclusive chat with the esteemed designer.
In 2002, you started alice + olivia by Stacey Bendet. You have since evolved the company to being a staple of style. How does this make you feel?
I'm proud of what I've built, proud of our team, and proud of our product. As much as I love to make beautiful clothes, I want to make women feel great when they put them on.
Did you always want to be a fashion designer?
My dad, grandfather, and great grandfather were in the textile import business, so I grew up around beautiful fabric.
My dad always fueled my creativity and encouraged me to focus on art and doing things I love. He told me to follow my passion, and given work is a huge percentage of your day, to do something that made me happy. If you can take what you love and make that your work, it never feels like work.
What does alice + olivia represent?
What your wear is your personal art- what you share about yourself to the world. My design style allows women to express themselves through color, silhouette, and style. My hope is that each piece can be worn by different women in different ways.
Our clothes are about empowering women and allowing women to empower themselves. When women put things on that feel feminine, are colorful, and fit well, they encompass the best versions of themselves.
Being a girl mom and rock star entrepreneur, what kind of parent are you?
I raise each of my children individually. You must raise the child you have, not the child you think you could have. My girls are at different schools and do different activities. I hope to raise them as independent, strong, and thoughtful, while encouraging them to be who they are.
How do you hope your iconic sense of fashion impacts generations to come?
Our brand is for women of all ages; my daughters wear our jeans, tanks, and some of our dresses, but their grandmothers wear our jackets, blouses, and shoes.
I recently did the most epic event for Paris Hilton and her new album; it was a special night. We’ve dressed many musicians and celebrities; it’s always fun having them frequent our stores. However, I'm excited every time I see any woman in our clothes.
Describe your signature staples.
My personal favorite look is a rocker tee, cool coat, bell-bottoms, and my iconic belt. But then I also love a big, beautiful skirt and tank top. My vibe is rock and roll meets timeless and elegant.
For fall and winter, we’re going to see a lot of animal prints- snake and leopard- in addition to large-scale floral prints.
What inspires you?
When you're a creative person, creativity is like stream of consciousness; it's always evolving and always around you. It's watching, seeing, and absorbing.
Please share some insight into your collaboration with Tom Wesselmann?.
I'm a big fan of his art and am excited to use his talent as inspiration. I look at his prints and think: that would be amazing as a long dress! Expect 60s retro... sequins, tweed, metallic jacquard gowns, color block jackets and embellished brocade skirts- the collab is truly art unto itself!
Tell us about your BIGFEELINGS collection.
The sleep to streetwear line supports different charities as I value giving back.
What does Scottsdale’s alice + olivia storefront mean to you?
Scottsdale is a booming scene with a youthful spirit. I have a lot of friends and ties to Arizona and feel the Valley community is really excited for our store!
Hobbies outside fashion?
I'm a big yogi. I also like studying science as it pertains to skin care; my friends refer to me as an investigator of nutritional science.
Style advice for people that need help in the what-to-wear department?
Think about what you’re most comfortable in. What makes you feel like the best version of you? I always encourage people to start there and then carefully curate a look. You don't want to wear 80s jeans and a 70s style jacket – don’t mix the wrong things together.
What’s your favorite accessory?
OMG I’ve been really into vintage Fendi bags and bought this amazing embroidery one.
How do you how do you define success?
Success is not by how high you've climbed, but how far you've come.
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