Stacey Bendet & Kourtney Kardashian. Photo: Billy Farrell Agency

Season in and season out, Alice + Olivia designs party dresses that make even the most boring conversationalist look like she’s fun to be around. It explains why scenester girls regularly flock to the New York-based label’s presentations—and the spring ’12 collection was no exception. Kourtney Kardashian was given a tour of the ‘60s-inspired pieces by designer Stacey Bendet herself while DJ Mia Moretti and violinist Caitlin Moe rocked out. “So pretty!” Kardashian exclaimed to no one in particular as she walked past four models in frothy, floaty pieces in varying shades of cream. Soon after, the singer Jordin Sparks arrived, wandering around the AstroTurf-lined space while sipping on one of the frosty drinks being served up. There was one party girl who stayed away from the bar: Lydia Hearst. She said, “Honestly, I think more people need to hydrate and drink more water during Fashion Week. It’s the only way to survive.” So if champagne is out of the picture, what makes an ultimate party? “You want everyone to be fashionable, everybody to actually show up on time instead of being the quintessential New Yorker who’s fashionably late, and you want a fun, flirty outfit. That’s kind of how I feel about this,” said Hearst, pointing to her red sequined Alice + Olivia sheath.

The Alice + Olivia SS12 collection. Photo: Billy Farrell Agency

Louise Roe, another Alice + Olivia attendee, also believes in clothing’s ability to make or break a night. “I have a one-shoulder red dress that I was going to say is my lucky dress, but that’s just rude,” she said with a smile, adding, “It’s like the go-to happy dress. When you have a bad day, a bad hair day, it still looks good. I think it might be Topshop, it’s pretty old—[but] it’s not necessarily the expensive stuff that you go to, it’s the stuff that fits your body like a glove, but you also have happy memories like that.” As for where a party girl would go, say, after stopping by the Alice + Olivia presentation, Hearst had a suggestion: “If you’re going to go out, I’d recommend the Boom Boom Room. That seems to be the hot spot that everyone’s hitting up during Fashion Week.”

Click here to see the spring shows!