A few weeks ago I had the privilege of interviewing head designer Alicia Estrada of the clothing line Stop Staring. If you don't already know about this amazing line (also known as LA's best keep secret).... I'll be thrilled to introduce you! Stop Staring carries dresses, coats, swim wear and more all inspired by the unique designs from the 1950s. If you like vintage this line will also be an instant favorite with its modern twist. There are plenty of cuts, fabrics, and colors to choose from which makes it easy to fall in love with at least one item if not all of them. If you're lucky enough to own a Stop Staring piece, that's exactly what will happen, people won't stop staring! Check out the FlauntFive interview below to learn more on the amazing woman behind Stop Staring!
1. When did you begin your clothing line Stop Staring?
I don’t know the exact date but I will definitely say that we have been in business for over 12 years. That’s when I got the first orders from our very first store that picked up the line, so around 12 years ago.
2. Have you always wanted to be a designer?
I actually started sewing when I was about 16 years old and it was more of a necessity in my family. I have 6 sisters and 3 brothers so my mom taught us how to patch our own jeans and do our own hems and cut old jeans into shorts so it really was a necessity. Out of all my sisters I took it to the next level. I loved doing it so people would start giving me fabric and old things that they didn’t need like buttons and I would start making stuff with it. By the time I was in college I was really making my own patterns and my own wardrobe and making clothes for my sisters. I’d sew these outfits and on Friday we’d go out to the local clubs and show it all off and dance the night away! It was really just a hobby and I never really thought that my hobby of making clothes would actually turn into a full time career.
3. Many women who discover Stop Staring don’t like to tell their secret. Why do you think that is?
Because Stop Staring really gets a lot of attention! When you wear Stop Staring, even me as a size 10/12, you go out and you’re usually center of attention because they’re so beautiful and classy and eye-catching and people really take second looks. Most women in general are self-conscious about their looks so when you wear a Stop Staring dress you really go out with this confidence and you know you’re wearing something beautiful and classy. I just know that when I’m wearing it I’m going to get a lot of heads turning regardless of being a size 12. It’s so shocking to me how many events I go to and there are many beautiful thin girls around, such as yourself, and I’ll get so much attention. It’s obviously not me and my size, it’s the dress! So if you have a secret dress source you’ll never want to tell your secret, it drives me nuts but that’s what women do when they discover Stop Staring.
4. What is your top-selling dress?
We actually have several. One of the first designs I ever created is the Starlet Rose dress, a beautiful black dress that I designed with the inspirations of the starlets from the 50s. I really created this beautiful fitted dress and it became timeless in that I created it 11 years ago and it’s still one of the top selling dresses. We can never get rid of it, we always say we’ll retire the Starlet Rose and it never gets retired. Billion Dollar Baby is also a top seller. It’s similar to the Million Dollar Baby that was created a few years ago so it’s the same exact dress but revamped.
5. What’s next for Stop Staring?
We are looking to open our first boutique, in the Southern California Area, we are so excited about the possibilities. We are also looking to expand our line of clothing, with purses and a fabulous shoe line. We have had so much request for shoes and purses, we can’t wait to bring it to market!
I hope you FlauntFollowers enjoyed the interview and love this line as much as I do!
Now that you're in on the secret, thanks to Alicia you can shop the entire line at StopStaringClothing.com and get 15% OFF by using coupon code: FLAUNT
Kisses!
Great interview
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