Resort season is a bit of a nebulous brief for designers, who are tasked with offering everything from pieces for tropical getaways to holiday parties and anything in between. But Andrea Lieberman isn’t just concerned with the occasionwear. “For us, it just seems right—in both business and customer—leaning into wardrobing,” she said. “Instead of this collection that’s very on the nose for this time of year, it’s really built around pieces that will take you through the holiday season, but also through the rest of your life.”
The platonic ideal of occasionwear, for Lieberman, is suiting, and A.L.C.’s latest offering is rife with menswear inspiration. A burgundy tux, when buttoned, is meant to be worn without anything underneath—an added touch of sex appeal. Elsewhere, she marries a tuxedo jacket and a winter coat, which Lieberman emphasizes is “really sick.” Still, while she’s her own best customer, Lieberman designs beyond her own interests. Take a white maxi dress with a plunging V-neck, ruching at the waist, and an open, draped sleeve. “This, for me, is one of those dresses that I’m like, ‘Oh, don’t worry. I’ll always have something to wear because I’ve got this in my closet,’” she said.
Don’t worry: there’s plenty of casual fare in the offering, too—slouchy jeans, lace-trimmed knit tanks—but Lieberman is especially activated about her array of Milano knit hoodies. “It gives you that very sporty feeling, but in a really elevated way,” she said. “You don’t feel like you’re wearing your kid’s sweatshirt—you feel like you’re wearing something that is refined.” Whether a party-ready tuxedo or an everyday hoodie, refinement is always the North Star.
