To maintain a vibrant energy, vivid imagination and a dream like life is a challenge. Life is full of disappointments, heartbreak, loss and death. As women, we tend to be the glue that keeps our families and communities together. Women run the household, organize schedules for our husbands or partners, encourage our friends, our children and work or run a business.

Stacey Bendet, thrives while moving through life ferociously. Bendet is the co-founder of Alice + Olivia,  a whimsical, dreamy and vibrant clothing brand. The aesthetic of the designs, materials and textures is a thing of wonder.

In a May 2018 interview with Jenna Abdou of Forbes magazine, Bendet talks creativity and intentionality of Alice + Olivia designs.

“As designers, we design things to make people feel special. If we don’t commit to that in everything we do, why are we here? Your intention has to come all the way through.”

“Every outfit needs an emotional anchor that pulls you in and pieces that layer back to it. Creating that narrative is one of my favorite things to do.”

Bendet is a stand out amongst her fellow contemporary designer peers who tend to be more trendy versus classic. Alice + Olivia is a unique voice in a crowded world of the Kim Kardashian monotone colors. The pieces are stand alone and can last many years because of style and quality. These are pieces and collections that a girl can wear to brunch with friends, date night, graduations, commencements, weddings, funerals, industry parties and work meetings. Bendet understands her audience and allows the woman to be a star of her life.

Stacey Bendet started Alice + Olivia in 2002 at 23 years old with the creator of Theory. She currently designs and remains very hands on with the brand pushing it to become an international women’s lifestyle brand. She also advocates equal pay for women as she uses her company as an example.

” As a brand that is designed for women and run by a team of 400 women, we have a responsibility to advocate for equality.”

Stacey- wife, mother of 3 girls, designer, entrepreneur, yogi, feminist and honorary Mills woman. I believe that when a woman is living her dreams and in her purpose –families and communities will be changed for the better. Her lifestyle seems impossible but she believes in achieving the goal.

“It’s never about why you can’t do something. It’s about how you are going to achieve it.”

Strong women who love themselves,embrace their inner and outer beauty can influence and inspire other women to do the same. When a woman decides to let her light shine by wearing bright colors like red, orange, yellow, purple, pink, green and blue. She sends a clear message of hope, love, peace, beauty, kindness and goodness.

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