I'm not surprised that this is not being launched across continental Europe, but I am surprised that it is not being launched in the UK. To an extent its understandable, because this brand is not (well) known outside the USA, so I guess it would be difficult to market in Europe as a designer collaboration....
"Heatherette" and "DSquared" and of course Ungaro are brands which have more international presence (even just a bit more) than alice + olivia which is why they were marketed and sold successfully and quite easily. That said I guess anything MAC puts its name to could be marketed and sold accordingly if the products are appealing enough (and you can't argue that these are!).
I reckon there is still a chance it will launch in the UK, sort of "thru the back door", with no fanfare, but in Harrods or Harvey Nics only. I say this because alice + olivia is (or was at one point, I remember) sold in Harrods, which means that the brand has exposure and endorsement here, and so there are people here who know/buy the brand. I think it would be appropriate to stock it there as the clientele in that area being predominantly international may be a better market for it.
Here's hoping....