Alice + Olivia by Stacey Bendet unveiled the Spring 2026 collection on September 13 inside New York City’s Hall of Records. Titled The American Woman, the presentation explored history and culture through the lens of fashion, arriving ahead of the nation’s 250th anniversary. Photographer Katie Borrazzo captured the energy behind the scenes at the Alice + Olivia Spring Summer 2026 show, exclusively for DSCENE Magazine.
Bendet described the collection as a tribute to women who shaped American culture, art, and style. She drew inspiration from their grit and pragmatism, creating designs that balanced glamour with utility. American sportswear grounded the lineup, expressed through reworked classics and inventive pairings. A poppy red bias-cut jersey gown recalled 1940s silhouettes with pared-down elegance. Tailoring featured in a long, lean men’s suit styled with a crisp white shirt and loosely knotted tie. Preppy signatures appeared in playful forms, from polos and collegiate knits to baggy denim, pleated minis, and sweeping striped skirts.
Color drove the mood with poppy red, emerald green, navy, pale pink, and yellow. Fabric innovation referenced the golden era of U.S. manufacturing, expanding the brand’s craft vocabulary. Lace, burnout chiffon, and jacquard layered over organza to create depth, while embroidery, sequins, and beadwork added dimension. Eveningwear spanned Gilded Age ballgowns with full skirts and long trains, a tuxedo-inspired mini dress, and corseted jersey minis echoing 1950s glamour.
The Hall of Records shaped the environment for installations that deepened the collection’s story. Its Beaux-Arts and French Baroque architecture framed symbolic works positioned throughout the space. A 20-foot reinterpretation of the Statue of Liberty greeted guests at the entrance, dressed in a gown covered with butterflies and roses as symbols of life. A reworked Constitution titled We the Women and a mural of an abstract American flag reinforced themes of resilience and creativity.
Discover Alice + Olivia Spring Summer 2026 Collection on DSCENE
Within this setting, Bendet connected fashion to cultural symbols and architecture. Each look carried echoes of a particular era, yet together they suggested a broader narrative of invention and influence. The presentation emphasized women’s role in shaping American identity, past and present.
