On February 8, 2025, alice + olivia by Stacey Bendet presented an extraordinary Fall/Winter 2025 presentation that blurred the lines between fashion and theater. This striking collection, inspired by the world of William Shakespeare and the intricate costumes of The Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC), was a theatrical masterpiece in itself. The designs were a blend of textured fabrics, romantic silhouettes, and fantastical flourishes, all reimagining the iconic characters and finery of Shakespeare’s timeless works for a modern, empowered audience.
“The beauty of this collection exemplifies how we can learn so much from the past to create in the present.” – Stacey Bendet, CEO and founder of alice + olivia.
The collection was born from an immersive journey into the heart of Shakespeare’s England. The alice + olivia design team traveled to Stratford-upon-Avon, the birthplace of the legendary playwright, where they had exclusive access to the RSC’s world-class theatre archive. The archive includes costumes from the Shakespeare Memorial Theatre, dating back to 1879. This direct engagement with history allowed Bendet and her team to draw inspiration from a rich tradition of artistry, craft, and embellishment.
A Journey Through Time and Textiles
The collection, which Stacey Bendet described as an exploration of how “we can learn so much from the past to create in the present,” channels the drama and romance of Shakespeare’s plays through intricate fabrications and regal silhouettes. From 16th-century inspired lantern skirts and capes to lace collars and cuffs, each piece exudes a sense of grandeur while retaining a modern edge. Rich jacquard fabrics illuminated with gold detailing, along with velvet, lace, and brocades, breathe new life into Shakespeare’s world.
Bendet’s vision for Fall 2025 was to honor the artistry of the past while making it relevant for contemporary women. The collection includes a wide variety of statement pieces, from a Lady Macbeth-inspired black velvet corset dress with a voluminous skirt to an embroidered skirt adorned with sonnets from Shakespeare’s poetry. Additionally, modern elements like mini tweed skirt-and-blazer sets and velvet party dresses add fresh twists to the Shakespearean fantasy.
A Modern Shakespearean Fantasy
This reinterpretation of Shakespeare’s world is also reflected in the accessories. Denim jackets adorned with bouquets of brooches, corsets paired with jeans, and sleek suede stretch and latex leggings lend the collection a rock-and-roll baroque vibe. Luxe textures, from pearls to velvet, bows, and applique, come together to tell a story as poetic and rich as the Bard’s own words. Famous Shakespearean lines such as “All that glisters is not gold” from The Merchant of Venice and “Though she be but little, she is fierce” from A Midsummer Night’s Dream were cleverly woven into the embroidery and prints, infusing the collection with literary references that resonate in today’s world.
alice + olivia Fall/Winter 2025 Collection Image Courtesy of Sansho Scott via BFA
The presentation of Fall 2025 was as immersive as the collection itself. Each room in the set reflected the grandeur of a different Shakespearean play, serving as a visual homage to his works. The show moved from the enchanting set of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, through to Juliet’s iconic balcony overlooking her garden, and into a Shakespearean banquet and apothecary—each set designed to evoke a specific moment in the Bard’s world. A golden backdrop referencing The Merchant of Venice added a touch of opulence, while the grand finale included a quote from All’s Well That Ends Well: “Love all, trust a few, do wrong to none.”
The beauty looks for the show, created by lead stylist Matthew Curtis and makeup artist T Cooper, further amplified the modern Shakespearean fantasy. Hair was styled in large, jeweled braids, adorned with cascading flowers—perfectly embodying a modern Juliet. T Cooper’s clean-face makeup, featuring glistening gold eyes and a bold red lip inspired by Lady Macbeth, added an edgy yet elegant touch. Kate Somerville’s moisturizing cream with gold flakes illuminated the models’ skin, adding a stage-worthy shimmer that made the collection come to life under the lights.
Stacey Bendet at alice + olivia Fall/ Winter 2025 Collection Image Courtesy of Joe Schildhorn via BFA
In Stacey Bendet’s Fall/Winter 2025 collection, alice + olivia transports us into a whimsical, Shakespearean-inspired world that feels both romantic and rebellious. With its mix of historical inspiration and contemporary flair, the collection is a testament to the timeless appeal of the Bard, showing how his characters and themes can be reinterpreted through the lens of modern fashion. It’s a celebration of history, craft, and storytelling, wrapped in a collection that exudes fantasy, drama, and elegance—a perfect fit for today’s Juliets, Lady Macbeths, and dreamers alike.
