Petra Flannery and Andrea Lieberman join forces for a versatile and chic collection

Petra Flannery and Andrea Lieberman met two decades ago when Lieberman was styling some of the world’s most famous stars – Cameron Diaz, Janet Jackson and Jennifer Lopez to name but a few. Back then, Flannery was an associate helping Lieberman dress the A-list for everything from red-carpet events to music videos and world tours. The duo instantly hit it off and have maintained a close working relationship and personal friendship ever since. Lieberman founded her clothing label A.L.C. in 2009 and, this season, the two friends collaborate on their first ever clothing capsule for the label, which blends the ease of beach dressing with city living – think tailored linen jumpsuits, cozy knitwear and sleek separates.

Andrea Lieberman: The idea for the A.L.C. x Petra Flannery capsule came about over a breakfast we had together at Cecconi’s in Los Angeles. I’d just got back from a vacation and Petra had just returned from Italy; we were talking about the perfect travel wardrobe that we did not have – pieces that could take you from the beach to the city and all these other places; about the need for a wardrobe that can do everything and has versatility and ease so you could put it all in a small bag and go. It was shaped very much by how often Petra was traveling for her work.

Petra Flannery: Yes, the idea was very much ‘California meets Capri’. We were like, we could do fun cotton dresses and things that you could dress up or down, wear with flats or sneakers, for spring vacations or winter in warmer climates like we get in LA and in other parts of the world.

AL: And suddenly we were like, OK, let’s do this! It was a very productive breakfast. Soon we were sending each other sketches back and forth designing the collection. We try to get together every couple of months but our diaries mean it’s usually every six months.

PF: Yes, but we’ve known each other and have worked together for 20 years, so we are always texting. The collection felt like the most natural evolution to our working and personal relationship. The beauty of it is that our tastes are a little different but we acknowledge each other’s. I’m a Californian and Andrea is a New Yorker. I love the feel of cottons and Andrea loves colors. I am very laid-back where Andrea is more classic and a bit sporty. The collection is balanced because we see things from different sides, but we have these commonalities.

AL: We wanted to create something that worked for everyone. If I’m going to invest in a piece, both financially and spatially, in my closet, I want it to do more than just take me to the beach. And sometimes even on vacation, your plans change. If you are in Mexico or Hawaii or Australia, you want pieces to take with you but that you can implement into your life in other ways.

PF: And even though we are traveling less at the moment, the clothes are more relevant than ever. They are ideal for the domestic realm, but they are suitable for when we are on the go, too. Like putting the ‘Ines’ skirt with a cashmere sweater and boots. Or throwing a cardigan on with one of the dresses.

AL: I have always admired your style. It’s so elevated and the way that you put things together is so unique to you. We met when Petra was one of my associates, 20 years ago, back when I was styling. I was balancing 37 plates at a time, dressing for red-carpet events and music videos and tours. It was stressful, and in walked this chic, together, organized, amazing woman into my life. We hit it off straight away, we were as thick as thieves. We had this instant camaraderie and respect for each other and our work. We’ve always wanted each other to succeed. Pet has the ability to take something and push it to its limit to make it 100 times better than it was before.

PF: Andrea was essentially my mentor. There were very few big stylists back then, when she was at the top of her game, and she taught me everything. And taught me that no matter how much you have to do, things will always get done and there is always a way. Anything is possible. Even if you are styling on a speedboat in Santa Fe, or have only three seconds to change a pair of boots underneath the stage at a concert before a performer goes out in front of 100 million people. I always admired her work ethic. We never wanted to settle for something that wasn’t perfect. There was always a bar to hit to make people look and feel their best. I think that informs the collection.

AL: Yes, exactly. Our lives are usually full throttle, and as full-time working mothers, we want to feel good but all our energy cannot be put into getting dressed. So it’s about having these wardrobe pieces that make it really easy for you. Certainly that’s what I’ve tried to create with A.L.C. since establishing the label – creating that favorite sweater, or that favorite bodysuit, that you just put on and feel great in. Clothes that can take you from dropping your kids off at school to going for dinner at night. And the joy for me in doing this collection was I got to go to Petra’s studio and see her in action with everything she’s doing. It’s been such a pleasure to watch you grow.

PF: But I think this collection was easy to do in a way because it is so authentic to us. The fashion world has so many different facets – the creativity is endless. This collection is the first physical culmination of our friendship and professional relationship. I am constantly pulling pieces from A.L.C. for my clients today. So, even though Andrea and I don’t work together directly these days, as she is designing and I am styling, there is still a huge overlap between our worlds.

AL: And when Petra is in the vault at Cartier borrowing jewelry, she will send me pictures of necklaces she knows I will love. We have a shared adoration of jewelry. It’s why we could always see the funny side when we were gluing thousands of rhinestones onto costumes. Or when we were trying to track down solid-gold handcuffs, and trying to figure out how we could get a pair made within five days. That collaborative spirit is what makes our jobs what they are and it’s what brings joy and meaning.