With the metaphorical ribbon just cut on a New York showroom, business is as brisk as ever for A.L.C. It’s a sort of homecoming for California-based, New York–native designer Andrea Lieberman, one that had her mulling on “defining the wardrobe and the mind-set” and the 360-degree life of her clientele. Surely A.L.C. has never lacked in perspective, but this season did indeed feel like a savvy and winning riff on the way her shopper on both coasts puts those pieces to work in the real world.
At the crux of that were the easy, high-low mash-ups that Lieberman, an über-stylist if ever there was one, proposed (it bears reminding to all that Lieberman put Jennifer Lopez in her infamous hothouse Versace gown at the Grammys back in 2000). The designer teamed lush-looking Victorian tops with unapologetically sporty leggings, in some cases adding Dickies-esque shorts into the mix, and elsewhere turned out a terrific anorak in floral tapestry—a true standout piece. Powdery hues with athletic pops of cobalt turned up on more of those leggings, as well as on punkish-ly distressed hand-knits in silk yarn.
For all the casual cool, Lieberman knows her way around off-handed polish, too, with a knack for striking on pieces that feel special without being overly precious. To wit: asymmetrically pleated skirts, simple puff-shouldered tops (our favorite in acid green), and ribbed knits with seriously slinky lace-up details.
