Designer Bio
Alice + Olivia was founded by former Penn classmates Stacey Bendet and Rebecca Matchett in 2002. (The line is named after the first names of the pair’s mothers.) The socially well-connected duo showed Bendet’s first designs to a crowd of fashion-industry insiders and celebrities at the Russian Tea Room that year, a “just pants” collection introducing the label’s signature low-rise, slim-fitting “Staceypants” in bright colors and funky patterns. Bendet split from Matchett and picked up Theory founder Andrew Rosen as chief financial partner in 2003. The label, which now encompasses RTW, childrenswear, and footwear is currently sold in more than 800 stores worldwide, including Neiman Marcus, Bergdorf Goodman, and Saks Fifth Avenue. [READ MORE]
