It’s Prom Night! Inside Alice + Olivia’s 20th Anniversary Soiree

As the sun set in Manhattan, the cool kids gathered on a perfectly manicured lawn for what could be mistaken for an actual prom—but instead, it was Alice + Olivia’s take on the coming-of-age soiree to celebrate its 20th anniversary. Decked out with graffitied lockers, an embellished basketball hoop, and a confessional booth, the event had all the makings for a true prom night. One could feel the nostalgia in the air as brand founder Stacey Bendet welcomed guests to dance the night away to high-energy tunes by DJ Kiss, a special performance by recording artist Gracie Abrams, and even a dance number choreographed by Ebony Williams and Deijah Robinson—all while hors d'oeuvres by Beatnic were passed around.

“We did a Pride prom last summer in the Hamptons, so we’re like every year—that’s going to be our June event: adult prom!” muses Bendet. While a mid-June evening certainly feels like the ultimate timing for an end-of-the-school-year bash, the extravaganza holds special meaning to the brand. In an official note, New York City mayor Eric Adams proclaimed Wednesday, June 15, 2022 “Alice + Olivia Day.” 

And if that’s not enough reason to celebrate, the event served as the debut of a capsule partnership. “My collaboration with Colm [Dillane], KidSuper, came out of pure love and respect for one another,” says Bendet—an idea resulting in five evening wear styles featuring Dillane’s artwork designed to celebrate prom. Stars like Ella Emhoff, Valentina Voight, and AnnaLynne McCord, to name a few, could be found mingling throughout the crowd sporting the new collectsion. 

Amongst the lively crowd of fashion insiders, many dawned Alice + Olivia pieces, while others rocked an array of colorful, flirty numbers in tune with the brand’s whimsical ethos. Along with the aforementioned guests, partygoers included Nicky Hilton Rothschild, Ariana DeBose, Ruby Aldrige, Chanel Iman, Lea Michele, and Cuba Gooding Jr. Everyone, it seemed, was eager to partake in a fun, carefree evening. All in all, Aldridge said it best: “This is iconic, what the hell?”