Amid a glimmering, kaleidoscopic sea of sequins, feathers, and crystals last night, New York City s Terminal 5 was nearly unrecognizable. Stacey Bendet, founder of alice + olivia, teamed up with Paris Hilton to transform the grungy concert venue into a pink, posh, and perfectly playful extravaganza. From (my favorite) the prize-filled claw machine, to the Big Feelings (alice + olivia’s sister brand) swag shop housing all things Paris Hilton, to the rainbow boxes serving Serafina pizza to the Absolut Sliving Cosmos, every element was thoughtfully orchestrated. The evening culminated with a crowning performance by Hilton herself, previewing “I’m Free,” the lead single from her upcoming Infinite Icon album.
So how did Bendet and Hilton realize this event? Naturally, it all started in the group chat. “This year, there was this whole group chat where we were talking about how amazing Paris’s neon carnival was for her wedding, and we were like let’s bring it back. And I said, ‘Wait—let’s bring it back and make Pride a neon rainbow rave.’” Bendet tells me.
On the subject of her friendship with Hilton, which has spanned two decades, she says, “Paris wore all my first pants, and her and Nicky are like sisters to me. When you get to do something like this for a great cause, working with a friend who’s launching a major album—it’s not only a fun event, but it’s more than that. It’s also a celebration of friendship, Pride, and everything pertaining to it.”
As the evening progressed, a crowd wearing alice + olivia looks mingled and twirled to the tunes of DJ Ty Sunderland. Nicky Hilton Rothschild, Olivia Palermo, Dylan Mulvaney, Lele Pons, and more could be spotted among the psychedelic array of bodies. Shake Shack burgers and PopUp bagels were enjoyed, and glitter makeovers were given by Half Magic.
Before Hilton’s performance, I caught her for a quick chat. “I’ve known Stacey since I moved to New York when I was a teenager, and I’m so proud of her and this incredible brand that she’s built,” she said. “Every event she does, she puts her all into it and builds this world. It’s just iconic to be doing this together to celebrate Pride. I have so many memories of my sister, Stacey, and I going out back in the day here. Now it’s amazing to all be moms, and go to the park with our little kids. It’s a whole new world.”
In honor of the night, Hilton’s 11:11 Media Impact established a $50,000 Sliving Fund dedicated to granting life-changing wishes to the LGBTQ+ community. And the three words to sum up the event, from Bendet herself? “Beautiful. Rainbow. Rave.”
