Andrea Lieberman, her own best customer, is quite fond of tailoring. But tailoring’s heavier fabrics and sharp cuts aren’t as equipped for summer—especially in California, where Lieberman lives and finds much of her inspiration. Despite her own proclivities, the designer welcomes the challenge to design for the warmer months. It fulfills a piece of herself. “Even the most serious of women want to feel feminine and emotional over the summertime,” she said.
A.L.C.’s brief for the pre-fall 2026 season, as Lieberman declared in her Flatiron showroom, was “lighthearted, fun, feminine.” A black halter with a gathered waist was splashed with a large floral print in bold red, yellow, blue, and orange, offering a very welcome alternative to the ditsy pastel florals that dominate summer wedding guest dressing. Even something as simple as a white cotton poplin dress was full of intrigue, a series of diagonal seams adding some visual interest to a classic piece.
On the pants front, there were plenty of options that befit high summer here. A pair of high-waisted ecru linen trousers could easily go from the office to a holiday, either alongside their matching cropped blazer or dressed down with a tank or slouchy tee. But some looks, like a playful striped tie-back halter top and matching pull-on pants, were pure vacation pieces. As Lieberman declared, green fringed raffia bag in hand: “Our woman is hardworking, and she takes her time off very seriously.”
