Mary Alice Haney is here for a good time. She’s the rare designer whose clothes actually reflect her vivacious, life-of-the-party energy, and they bring out the bolder side in those of us who aren’t as accustomed to putting ourselves out there. Haney designed her first collection six years ago with a single goal: to make every woman feel sexy, confident, and glamorous, with the same ultra-luxe materials and embellishments you see on the red carpet. Her clothes have made it onto actual red carpets—see: Taylor Swift, Emily Ratajkowski, and Chrissy Teigen—but she’s realized her assortment could be more democratic, both in terms of price and silhouette.
For starters, the woman who rarely needs a cocktail dress will be drawn to Haney’s more casual day dresses, like a smocked, puffed-sleeve midi in a ’60s-inspired printed cotton. It came in a blouse version too, which should appeal to young women who live in jeans. “Statement tops” are often touted as a top-seller at retail, and this one had the right mix of drama, comfort, and affordability; Haney could expand the category going forward.
Also new: The long, caftan-inspired chiffon gowns that swept the floor. In Haney’s dreams, they’ll be layered over bikinis, but for women who prefer covered-up, free-flowing dresses to structured minis, they’ll also make nice evening options.
