Alicia Estrada of Stop Staring!

Vintage-inspired clothing has long been leaking its way into mainstream fashion. Exemplified by such glamour pusses as Dita Von Teese, this pin-up Old Hollywood type of chic oozes sex appeal and elegance. For years one label, Stop Staring!, has been at the forefront of this retro-tinged trend and as a result, has been embraced by rockabilly girls and trendy celebs all over the world. I asked Stop Staring! founder and designer, Alicia Estrada, some questions about her interest in vintage clothing and in where Stop Staring! is soon to be heading.

How didyou start designing?

I started sewing when I was 17 years old. I love to sew and design dresses. Loving what you do is the secret to success!

What’s your earliest designing memory?

Making a 1960s inspired miniskirt out of a plastic shower curtain, and then painting "Stop Staring!" across the back of the skirt. It was the biggest hit
and everyone wanted one.

Fun! When did you do this and what inspired you to?

Back in my college days, what inspired me was just dressing hip and cool and trying to wear something completely different then the norm of the time. I was really
into the punk scene at the time, and loved to mix punk with retro 60s. I wanted to look punk, but sexy and feminine at the same time.

So, how and why did you get into the retro scene?

In college I made my own wardrobe inspired by 1960’s mod looks, then later I started to design 50’s inspired dresses. Now I’m designing 1940’s inspired dresses. It really has been a natural progression, nothing planned. I have always wanted to look different. So when people started to wear 60’s retro, then I just naturally changed by wearing 50’s retro.

I can’t imagine you in 60s retro. It seems so different from 50’s and 40’s… what did you like about the 60’s pieces?

The retro 60’s style was very sexy, tight, and short, it was very young and very mod. Think miniskirts, leopard cigarette pants, and sexy doll dresses. The 1950’s are very sexy too, only it is very classy and conservative. With age, I just naturally started to dress more conservative and demure. Again, as the retro 60’s became more of a mainstream thing, I just moved onto something different. As a designer, I get bored really easy, so I just have to keep on reinventing
myself!

Why do you think people are so drawn to retro lately?

Because it is so classic and timeless. It is a reminder of the innocent times of yesteryear. It was a time of ultra glamour and timeless beauty.

Does anyone in the music/film industry influence you?

Yes of course! When Paris Hilton wore my dresses on her European tour, the demand for my sexy bombshell dresses went through the roof! So it really pushed me in the direction of sexy cocktail dresses. Of course when I started designing 50’s retro, I was really into the rockabilly scene. Exene from X wears my dresses on stage. Now that’s cool. I grew up listening to X.

I love X! And Exene is one of the most fashionable women ever! That must have been amazing! Are there any current musicians you’d like dress?

Yes, I would love to see Gwen Stefani in Stop Staring! I met Gwen at Cal State Fullerton. We both attended at the same time! I actually saw No Doubt play before they became famous. Gwen actually wrote a song called "Stop Staring!". I wonder if she wrote this about me? I was actually wearing skirts with
"Stop Staring!" splattered across the back. I used to get so much attention during my Cal State days. People loved Stop Staring!

How do you explain the fierce brand loyalty of your fans?

Stop Staring! dresses are so classy, timeless, and sexy. Girls just love the comfort and ease of an incredible fit, and of course all the positive attention. Stop Staring!
is known to turn heads. Stop Staring! is known for beautiful dresses with a great fit.

Do you like designing dress or separates best?

Dresses of course. They are so easy to wear and no fuss about coordinating separates, especially when you are in a hurry. These days everyone is in a hurry.

Have you thought of expanding to shoes and accessories?

Yes, this is in the works.

Could you tell me anything else about your expansion? Or is this top secret?

Yes, we have dabbled into purses, and so far they are making a big splash. Shoes are definitely next in line. We have such an overwhelming demand for the Stop Staring! branded shoes. It’s just a matter of time before we actually launch this!

Visit Stop Staring! online at www.stopstaringclothing.com

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