Stacey Bendet welcomed guests into her New York City home for an intimate celebration of alice + olivia’s long-awaited return to handbags.
The event marked the debut of alice + olivia’s limited-edition handbag capsule—four bold, statement-making silhouettes inspired by the brand’s Spring 2025 “Hotel Imagination” collection. The evening, aptly titled “The art of the handbag”, celebrated not only the return of the accessory, but the art of detail that defines the alice + olivia aesthetic. Each handbag was treated as a true objet d’art, elegantly framed and displayed among pieces from Stacey Bendet’s personal art collection—seamlessly blurring the line between fashion and fine art.
Guests enjoyed a series of interactive moments centered around the essentials found in every great handbag: personalized lip gloss charms on U Beauty’s coveted glosses, handkerchief embroidery using the same luxe fabrics as the collection, and custom-bedazzled Touchland hand sanitizers. A standout moment included the cutting of a cake that was an exact replica of the Semira bow bag—so realistic, it was nearly indistinguishable from the real thing. Signature touches added to the charm of the evening, from Stacey’s favorite ginger margarita made with Lalo Tequila to cookies crafted as perfect mini reproductions of each bag. “The Art of the Handbag” was not just a celebration of alice + olivia’s return to accessories, but a tribute to the craftsmanship and attention to detail that define the brand’s aesthetic.
Notable guests included Stacey Bendet, Nicky Hilton, Hallie Batchelder, Jessica Wang, Emily Rockefeller, Francesco & Alba Clemente, Greta Louise Tomé, Charly Sturm, Priya Shulka, Rickie De Sole, Janelle Lloyd, Steven Kolb, Gillian Hearst, Sophie Sumner, Natalia & Dylana Lim Suarez, Giza Timonier, Liv Manni, Nicole Pellegrino, Jordan Emmanuel, Nuni & Nasteha Yusuf, among others.
Image credit: Joe Schildhorn/BFA
