Get Dolled Up With Miss Alphabet
Miss Alphabet, Liz’s line of clothing and accessories, is girly and fun with a whole lot of edge–not like the styles you see at the mall. The store sells plus sizes and straight sizes at affordable prices (like this so-cute-you’ll-want-to-eat-it party dress for only thirty bucks!)
Fitsmi got the chance to chat with Liz about Miss Alphabet, what she wore to prom, DIY fashion and more. Check out the Q&A!
Is there a story behind the name “Miss Alphabet”?
What is your favorite piece in the Miss Alphabet collection?
When did you first start making and designing clothes?
How has your style changed since high school?
Where are your favorite places to shop?
Who is your favorite designer?
Do you have a style icon?
How long does it take you to make a dress?
Miss Alphabet has some pretty bold prom looks. Did you go to your prom? What did you wear?
Where can girls shop for Miss Alphabet? Do you make custom designs?
What looks can we expect in the future from Miss Alphabet?
Are there any upcoming fashion events on the horizon for Miss Alphabet?
By Fitsmi May 21
If Mattel® made a Retro Rockstar Harajuku Barbie doll, we’d nominate Liz Yada to design the outfit.
How would you describe the Miss Alphabet style?
Miss Alphabet is for those of us who have always been envious of our Barbie dolls. I’ve always wished I could own a ball gown in iridescent taffeta and tulle ruffles. I also like to translate some of those elements into casual mini dresses and clubwear.
Where do you find inspiration for your designs?
Dolls, most of all! They always seem to have the most over-the-top fashion sense. I also look to vintage, Japanese street fashion, and music. I even get inspired by fabrics I run across.
Miss Alphabet is derived from “Mr. Alphabet Says” by The Glove, which is a side project of The Cure’s Robert Smith and Siouxsie and the Banshees’ Steve Severin. I’m a longtime fan of both bands as well.
Currently it’s the pink and gold burlesque prom dress; which is a mix of Barbie and the Rockers and Jem and the Holograms. [Ashley, can you link to the prom dress so we can see it?]
Back in elementary school, I would draw catalogs in my school notebooks (complete with prices)! I also used to pretend I was sewing my clothes, like the mice from Cinderella. I hand-sewed scarves to make dresses for Barbies, then learned to machine sew in the seventh grade (I pulled a C- out of that class). It wasn’t until I started college that I started to make the jump [to sewing my own clothes?].
What advice do you have for a girl who wants to make her own clothes?
It may look daunting, but be patient and you will rule the world once you learn to sew a straight line!
I wear much more flattering things! When you study fashion you learn about which colors, styles, and proportions work for different body types. I personally learned to let go of certain wardrobe items I loved back in high school.
Fabric stores (obviously). I also love off-beat boutiques because I live in a somewhat smaller town where there are few. I also frequent eBay and Etsy. Thrift stores are a must, as well!
What is the one thing in your wardrobe you can’t live without?
That’s a tough one! I love my stretchy slip dresses because they can be layered with cardigans, tops, leggings, accessories, etc. I also love my Interpol shirt that I purchased on eBay and altered to be cap-sleeved and scoop-necked.
I absolutely adore Tarina Tarantino. I’ve met her twice and she is an absolute doll. And her accessories definitely go with my clothing! I must include Betsey Johnson. And Alannah Hill. And all the fabulous Etsy designers. So many worth mentioning!
I have many! I follow quite a few bloggers who inspire me. I once read and article about older women who can still pull off ironic fashion (Tarina Tarantino, Patricia Field, Betsey Johnson, Debbie Harry) and I really look up to them.
It depends on the style. I can make a simple go-go minidress in two and a half hours, a formal in six hours, and a Belle costume in 20!
I went to both proms, and I wore goth dresses from Hot Topic! They were lovely dresses, but I still do wish I sewed back then the way I do now.
How can a girl DIY her prom style?
If she doesn’t sew very much, don’t fret! Craft stores are carrying things to make sprucing up more easy. There are fabric glues and iron-on transfer tapes available to make applique-ing and trimming quick and simple. I once changed the entire look of a lavender thrift store formal dress by hand-stitching some sequin stars.
Please, gimme your custom orders! Really, shop on missalphabet.etsy.com, and if you see something you like but need it in a different size, Etsy has a convo feature that lets you direct message me. I’ll work with you personally! I also have items available at Twee Boutique, located at 1302 N. Wishon in Fresno, California.
An online shop (whether it’ll still be on Etsy is not certain) with fewer styles, but more colors and sizes to choose from.
Perhaps a couple of craft shows, but my major events have just happened in the last few months. I’m focusing on getting some professional photos done so all the traveling will take a lot out of me!
