On cancel culture and the
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“In the early days we had a lot of people giving us advice & conflicting opinions. But we never compromised”
£215
Flared midi dress
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£315
Printed Top
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£340
Striped jumper
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£895
Faux-fur coat
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£360
Satin trousers
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Makeup by Shirley Anne Dapaah, using the Jordana Ticia Nude Divinity Palette and Charlotte Tilbury Flawless Filter.
Words: PENNY GOLDSTONE
PHOTOGRAPHER: Rony Alwin
HAIR: Aziza Rasulova
MAKE UP: Marina Gravani
When she first launched alice + olivia, Stacey Bendet only designed trousers – in fact, models wore nothing else on the catwalk. Now, her label includes modern designs for a timeless wardrobe; pieces you can shop both online and in standalone stores worldwide. Here, as part of our Women Who Win series, Bendet tells Penny Goldstone how resilience, pride and never saying “I can’t” has helped her build a successful brand.
“Brands are now media companies; we have much more control over trends and our image, and so many more ways to reach our customers”
“I put on a fashion show at The Russian Tea Room [in New York] to showcase the first alice + olivia pants. At the time, I only made pants, so the fashion show was actually topless, with the models carrying flower bouquets. [Artist and photographer] Peter Beard painted a pair of jeans for the show and [retail executive] Andrew Rosen was there too. He asked to meet me the next day and we have been partners ever since. I could not be more grateful for his years of mentorship, partnership and friendship.”
Take me back to the beginning of your business. How did it come about?
“That’s too hard to answer. Our first multi-stripe ‘Olivia’ pant will always be a nostalgic favourite, but I currently love our Beatles collection too.”
Do you have an all-time favourite piece in your collection?
Have you ever felt discriminated against as a female founder?
“When I started designing, a brand made clothes – we were designers and manufacturers. With the launch of e-commerce, brands became retailers and marketers. With the launch of social media, the landscape changed again. Brands are now media companies; we have much more control over trends and our image, and so many more ways to reach our customers.”
How has the market changed since you launched your label?
‘Karlie’ gold dress
£630
Voluminous skirt
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“I never compromise on quality or fit – I will not make or ship anything I am not proud of”
“Honestly, no. I think cancel culture has made it exceptionally hard to be a female leader, but it is my hope that we stop wanting to see women publicly fail and work harder to emphasise their success.”
“I never compromise on quality or fit – I will not make or ship anything I am not proud of.”
What is one thing you’d never compromise on when it comes to your business?
£215
£495
Henrietta
&
Orlagh
McCloskey
Rix
“With my family and my team. I always invite the design team to the presentations so they can see the end result of all our hard work. I love it when my husband and children come to the shows, too.”
How do you celebrate success?
“It’s never easy, but I try to take an hour every morning to do my yoga practice. It sounds cliché but it has really helped me throughout my life.”
How do you achieve the right work/life balance?
“It is my hope that we stop wanting to see women publicly fail and work harder to emphasise their success”
“Never say, ‘I can’t’. Instead say, ‘How can we?’”
What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
“Empowered women empower women.”
What is your mantra?
“Multitasking! I have three young daughters, multiple business engagements, and I am also involved in several charities. If I couldn’t multitask, there would never be enough hours in the day.”
Do you have a superpower?
“I think I make mistakes every day. What I’ve learned though is that resilience is a key to success.”
What has been your biggest challenge to date?
“My husband Eric [is a Director at] Portsmouth Football Club, so a visit to watch them play is always a must, along with stopping by our flagship store on Bruton Street. I also love Annabel’s and vintage shopping on Portobello Road.”
Any favourite places in London?
“I make mistakes every day. What I’ve learned though is that resilience is a key to success”
Stacey Bendet
power of multitasking
Take me back to the beginning of your business. How did it come about?
“I put on a fashion show at The Russian Tea Room [in New York] to showcase the first alice + olivia pants. At the time, I only made pants, so the fashion show was actually topless, with the models carrying flower bouquets. [Artist and photographer] Peter Beard painted a pair of jeans for the show and [retail executive] Andrew Rosen was there too. He asked to meet me the next day and we have been partners ever since. I could not be more grateful for his years of mentorship, partnership and friendship.”
Take me back to the beginning of your business. How did it come about?
“I put on a fashion show at The Russian Tea Room [in New York] to showcase the first alice + olivia pants. At the time, I only made pants, so the fashion show was actually topless, with the models carrying flower bouquets. [Artist and photographer] Peter Beard painted a pair of jeans for the show and [retail executive] Andrew Rosen was there too. He asked to meet me the next day and we have been partners ever since. I could not be more grateful for his years of mentorship, partnership and friendship.”
How has the market changed since you launched your label?
“When I started designing, a brand made clothes – we were designers and manufacturers. With the launch of e-commerce, brands became retailers and marketers. With the launch of social media, the landscape changed again. Brands are now media companies; we have much more control over trends and our image, and so many more ways to reach our customers.”
Do you have an all-time favourite piece in your collection?
“That’s too hard to answer. Our first multi-stripe ‘Olivia’ pant will always be a nostalgic favourite, but I currently love our Beatles collection too.”
Have you ever felt discriminated against as a female founder?
“Honestly, no. I think cancel culture has made it exceptionally hard to be a female leader, but it is my hope that we stop wanting to see women publicly fail and work harder to emphasise their success.”
“Brands are now media companies;
we have much more control over trends and our image, and so many more
ways to reach our customers”
Do you have an all-time favourite piece in your collection?
“That’s too hard to answer. Our first multi-stripe ‘Olivia’ pant will always be a nostalgic favourite, but I currently love our Beatles collection too.”
Have you ever felt discriminated against as a female founder?
“Honestly, no. I think cancel culture has made it exceptionally hard to be a female leader, but it is my hope that we stop wanting to see women publicly fail and work harder to emphasise their success.”
How do you celebrate success?
“With my family and my team. I always invite the design team to the presentations so they can see the end result of all our hard work. I love it when my husband and children come to the shows, too.”
How do you achieve the right work/life balance?
“It’s never easy, but I try to take an hour every morning to do my yoga practice. It sounds cliché but it has really helped me throughout my life.”
“It is my hope that we stop wanting to see women publicly fail and work harder to emphasise their success”
Do you have a superpower?
“Multitasking! I have three young daughters, multiple business engagements, and I am also involved in several charities. If I couldn’t multitask, there would never be enough hours in the day.”
What has been your biggest challenge to date?
“I think I make mistakes every day. What I’ve learned though is that resilience is a key to success.”
“I never compromise on quality
or fit – I will not make or ship anything I am not proud of”