Street Artist’s Signature Messages of Empowerment Come to Life with a Limited-Edition Capsule Collection; Proceeds Will Benefit LifeWay Network’s Mission to Stop Human Trafficking
Alice + Olivia by Stacey Bendet is pleased to announce that the brand has teamed up with London-based artist Lakwena to advance the artist’s bold messages of empowerment in celebration of International Women’s Day 2020 (March 8) and Women’s History Month.
Bendet and Lakwena, both champions of female ambition and empowerment in their own right, have partnered on a
limited-edition collaboration that brings Lakwena’s signature murals to life across a capsule collection of apparel.
As an avid art enthusiast, Bendet is constantly inspired by various artists, bringing their work to life through fashion with her biannual Art Collective series. Past collaborations within the Art Collection landscape include Keith Haring, Domingo Zapata, Jean-Michel Basquiat, and Donald Robertson.
The collection itself puts optimism at the forefront, Lakwena combats the pessimism of our contemporary social and political climate with empowering statements. “RAISE YOUR HOPES”, “LIFT YOU HIGHER”, “POWER” — these are just some of the artist’s large-scale mural works’ bold declarations that designer Bendet has transformed into wearable art with the Alice + Olivia by Stacey Bendet x Lakwena collection.
“I love the positivity and graphic beauty of Lakwena’s artwork,” said Bendet, “each of her works are visual symbols of strength and optimism!”
Combining vivid colours and decorative patterns, Lakwena creates artworks that draw on both her background in graphic design and her own personal history. From London’s Southbank and Shoreditch to Fort Smith Juvenile Detention Centre in Arkansas, America, these messages of hope and affirmation radiate across their urban environments.
“I’ve loved seeing my paintings come to life in a different form through this collaboration with Alice + Olivia,” said Lakwena, “I’m really happy that we’re also able to use this as an opportunity to stand in solidarity with survivors of human trafficking.”
Alice + Olivia by Stacey Bendet is donating 10% of sales to LifeWay Network, an organization fighting to end human trafficking by raising consciousness and providing safe housing and mentorship to survivors.
“Human trafficking is a modern-day epidemic that many do not even realize exists today,” said Nicky HiltonRothschild, “I am so grateful that Alice + Olivia has collaborated with Lawkwena to bring awareness to this global issue. Educating the public is one of the most important things we can continue to do to prevent human trafficking.”
According to the UN, Human trafficking effects every country in the world, but it’s not talked about it enough; Bendet has joined her friend Nicky Hilton-Rothschild in supporting the efforts of LifeWay Network – an organization for which Hilton-Rothschild is an avid supporter. Together, with Lakwena, the trio hope to Stop Human Trafficking this Women’s Month.
The Alice + Olivia by Stacey Bendet x Lakwena capsule collection includes a selection of the artist’s affirmations printed on a ball gown skirt, reversible kimono, and a range of empowering tees. The collection, which is available via the brand’s website, as well as select retailers, retails between $225 for a tee to $595 for a maxi skirt. To launch the collection Bendet, Lakwena, and Hilton co-hosted a Female Empowerment Dinner, dubbed F.E.D. in New York, where they were joined by guests including Chelsea Clinton, at what marked the second dinner in the F.E.D. series launched by Bendet in January 2020. The limited-edition collection is now available at the brand’s retail locations, department and specialty store accounts, and e-commerce.
ABOUT ALICE + OLIVIA BY STACEY BENDET
Launched in 2002, alice + olivia by Stacey Bendet is a brand that allows women to express their personal style. With clothing that juxtaposes the whimsical and flirty with the sexy and sophisticated, a+o epitomizes the personality and perspective of its founder, Stacey Bendet. The brand was born from Stacey’s personal quest to create the perfect pair of pants, and has since grown into a full lifestyle collection including ready-to-wear, gowns, shoes, handbags and accessories. The brand is a Hollywood favorite with celebrity fans including Meghan Markle, Michelle Obama, Beyoncé, Gwyneth Paltrow, Gigi Hadid and Jessica Alba.
alice + olivia by Stacey Bendet is available at the brand’s free-standing boutiques located in New York, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, East Hampton, Greenwich, Houston, Malibu, Manhasset, Miami, Orange County, Palm Beach, San Francisco, Southampton, Washington D.C., Hong Kong, Tokyo, Kuwait, Dubai, Singapore, Shanghai, Taipei, Macau, Chengdu, Bangkok, and at aliceandolivia.com. alice + olivia is also available at over 800 select department and specialty stores worldwide, including Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus, Bergdorf Goodman, Net-a Porter, Lane Crawford, Isetan, Hankyu, Harvey Nichols, Harrods, and Galeries Lafayette.
aliceandolivia.com
instagram.com/aliceandolivia
ABOUT LAKWENA
Lakwena’s iconic, kaleidoscopic work is informed by the use of decoration as a means of communication.
As a form of expression within a political world, Lakwena explores how the use of adornment in worship and mythmaking translates into contemporary popular culture. Central to her practice are words, used as both images and
anchors of meaning, borrowing from the techniques and conventions of traditional sign-writing and contemporary
graphic design. With an aesthetic that references her childhood spent between East Africa and London, Lakwena
creates epic outdoor murals carrying bold messages of hope in urban landscapes.
www.lakwena.com
instagram.com/lakwena
ABOUT LIFEWAY NETWORK
LifeWay Network envisions a world in which human trafficking is abolished and every survivor is strong, connected and free. LifeWay Network joins the global movement against human trafficking by providing safe housing for women who have been trafficked and offering education about trafficking to the general public. LifeWay Network confronts the reality of human trafficking every day by changing the future for women survivors through its Safe Housing Program and increasing awareness and engagement through its Education Program. Since its founding in 2007, LifeWay Network has emphasized the power of collaboration in creating the slavery-free future we all envision. LifeWay believes in bringing people together to form community and address a global issue with significant local impact. Human trafficking occurs around us. It affects people in our neighborhoods. We must join together to end slavery today and empower survivors to reclaim a life of freedom.
lifewaynetwork.org
