Bendet and her team embarked on a deep dive into Stratford-upon-Avon’s archives, studying historical fabrics, embellishments, and stage designs. This meticulous research translated into voluminous tiered lace skirts, structured denim suiting with exaggerated ruffles, and statement outerwear embroidered with intricate floral motifs. Playful Shakespearean nods came through in novelty cocktail dresses, sweaters adorned with iconic quotes (“Though she be but little, she is fierce”), and distressed denim embellished with pearls, chains, and rhinestones.Despite its theatrical roots, the collection remained commercially appealing. Moody floral prints, sleek jacquard miniskirts, and a breathtaking salmon-hued gown with a dramatic tiered lace skirt offered a balance between high drama and everyday sophistication. And while latex pants may not have graced Elizabethan wardrobes, Bendet ensured they felt right at home in her modern Shakespearean fantasy.
Would Queen Titania or Lady Macbeth wear these reimagined looks? That remains a question for the ages—but with a captivated audience at NYFW, there’s no doubt that fashion’s modern-day heroines will.