All Aboard alice + olivia's NYFW Fashion Yacht

Wanderlust meets style for the alice + olivia spring/summer 2019 presentation. The label, helmed by Stacey Bendet, is known for an electric bohemian aesthetic that mixes up prints and coordinates with loud colors. The SS19 collection, entitled ‘Passport to Wonderland’, is no exception, promising an enchanting collection of caftans, shifts, minidresses and cigarette pants with wild animal prints and embroidered embellishments that reflect Bendet’s propensity for travel. What is unexpected about the show, however, is that it will take place aboard a yacht at Chelsea Piers in New York City.

“Travel has always been a big inspiration for me; it is a huge part of my creative process,” says Bendet in a statement. “This season, the theme of my presentation is ‘Passport to Wonderland.’ I wanted the collection and experience to reflect the women of the world and the vibrant countries and cultures they represent; the prints, patterns and colors from each destination continue to inspire me.”

Bendet adds that travel is an integral part to maintaining a healthy work-life balance as a creative. “My family and I love escaping to Malibu,” she says. “It feels like a mini vacation every time we go. We also spend Christmas in Hawaii which is a special place for me. By far, my favorite hotel is Villa TreVille in Positano. I am always inspired by the places I travel to. Colors and fabrics, jewelry, bags … and the overall style of different women and cultures everywhere inspire me constantly. It is always fun to buy special things that are locally made and become meaningful memories from your trip too.”

The ‘Passport to Wonderland’ presentation will debut on September 11 2018, at the tail end of New York Fashion Week (NYFW). In a move that reflects the democratization of NYFW – no longer is show attendance limited to fashion editors and the style elite – alice + olivia has partnered with Booking.com to allow travellers to book a night on the 70ft (21.34m) yacht. Outfitted in alice + olivia designs, the yacht will feature vignettes that represent the various travel destinations that inspired the collection, including Positano, Paris, Morocco and the English countryside. Models will be aboard to give guests an immersive experience of the brand.

The experience ($59) includes an overnight stay on the yacht and tickets to the presentation. “Through this partnership with Booking.com, I’m excited to merge the world of travel with fashion, to highlight the influence fashion has on travel and vice versa,” Bendet continued.

Bendet founded alice + olivia in 2002 with the hope of creating the “perfect pair of pants.” The brand has since grown to include ready-to-wear gowns, shoes, handbags and accessories. For SS19, the designer favors leopard print and snakeskin, as well as two-tone denim and brocade. Deep burgundy and electric blue hues make up the color palette of the whimsical, maximalist upcoming collection. The line evokes luxe resortwear, making the yacht an ideal venue for the SS19 presentation.