Alice + Olivia’s Spring 2015 collection took inspiration from the modern art installations often hosted at Versailles, transforming one of her old friend Lola Schnabel’s paintings into a print. It landed on a full skirt and a pleated top, as well as a fitted sheath. The designer also created a digital print out of a photo she took of the gardens during the trip, and showed a sweater embroidered with little crowns and other remembrances of Marie Antoinette’s court.
There were a lot of ’70s influences, too—handkerchief dresses; high-waist, wide-leg trousers—many inspired by her mother’s wardrobe from the era. There were ’50s-style tea dresses and beaded gowns as well. Certainly, it was a lot—39 looks in all. Could Bendet have cut that number in half? Almost. But given the marvelous venue, you could forgive her for being overzealous. Standout pieces included a pair of blue-and-white-striped culottes, a key look for Spring; a sweatshirt overlaid with embroidered organza; and perhaps most notably, a series of embellished collarless jackets.
