Alice + Olivia staff evacuate as building shakes during Fashion Week prep

Forget stop, drop and roll — grab gowns and run!

Trendy Alice + Olivia had an “apocalyptic” scare that felt like a “fashion Godzilla” was in the neighborhood last weekend when its Meatpacking HQ began shaking as staff prepped for its Fashion Week show, sending models and designers rushing onto the street with armfuls of precious clothing.

“The entire building was shaking,” designer Stacey Bendet tells us, adding,”It felt like an earthquake, but with a loud noise, like an explosion, but ongoing. . . The racks started shaking. We were tearing clothes out.”

Bendet at first thought the tremors were from an exploded pipe or something related to construction next door to the building.

But she tells us, “It ended up being 8 subwoofers from an experimental sound group.”


Alice + Olivia
The brand is getting ready for it’s upcoming NY Fashion Week presentation.
Getty Images for alice + olivia by Stacey Bendet

Huma Abedin, Stacey Bendet
Bendet, whose brand is a favorite of bold-faced names like Huma Abedin, said it felt like an earthquake.
Getty Images for alice + olivia

Ariana DeBose
Ariana DeBose has appeared at an A+O event in the past.
Getty Images for alice + olivia

A memo sent to staff and seen by Page Six explains, “very large subwoofer speakers, located directly below the 5th floor, were emitting low frequency noise as they were being tested for a performance that will be staged next week on the [nearby] High Line.”

The message also says that the High Line curator “apologized extensively for the disruption,” and will be keeping Alice + Olivia in the loop of any upcoming “rehearsals and tests.”

Alice + Olivia will hold it’s presentation next Saturday on Wall Street with stars including Nicky Hilton, Dylan Mulvaney and Brooks Nadar expected.

You May Also Like

Prince William and Prince Harry’s Former Employee Weighs in on the Future King Stripping His Brother’s Royal Title

It’s been debated among royal watchers since Prince Harry and Meghan Markle stepped down…

Blake Shelton Admitted He Initially Saw Gwen Stefani as a ‘Rebound’

When Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani began dating, they were both going…

Why Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ Criminal Trial Won’t Be Televised 

Notable People Diddy faces a judge and jury in May 2025, but…

Suspect in $10m gunpoint robbery of Kim Kardashian vows to apologise to her in court

A GANG member in the $10million (£8m) gunpoint robbery of Kim Kardashian…