Help Miss Alphabet go to Tokyo Fashion Week!

I'm Liz, and my clothing brand, Miss Alphabet , just got the chance of a lifetime! After showing a collection at Anime Los Angeles's most recent fashion show, I got the attention of Global Fashion Collective and was offered a spot for their Rakuten Tokyo Fashion Week Fall/Winter show!

I'm absolutely psyched because it has been my absolute DREAM to show in Japan, the land that inspired me so much. But I NEED YOUR HELP!

But first, some backstory. Miss Alphabet's humble beginnings go back to 2004 (yes, TWENTY years ago!) where a budding online community of J-fashion enthusiasts on Livejournal, craved a little something unique. Indie makers and designers were getting their work out there by listing handmade clothing and accessories on eBay (before the days of Etsy).

I was well into my fashion studies at a local community college (sup, College of the Sequoias!) and working at a fabric store, so I put my employee discount to use and joined right in. Since then, I've produced THOUSANDS of garments and accessories by hand and they are enjoyed by the Harajuku community, drag queens, and 80's enthusiasts alike.

I've also made appearances at various conventions and in-person events, as well as shown collections in fashion shows throughout the years.

Twenty years is a HUGE milestone, but I'm still finding myself just barely getting by. With the increased revenue resulting from the serious publicity from this event, I can finally pay off debt, hire help, and support fellow small business owners and humanitarian causes I care about.

The fees are a pretty penny (the staff needs to get paid too) and I also need to get myself there and cover all the travel expenses involved. I'm working on raising some of the funds myself, but I can't do it all alone.

I'm setting an initial goal for the $4,000 deposit due on January 31st (the day before my birthday, hint hint), then we will work on the remainder that is due towards the end of February!

Breakdown:

Cost to participate: $13,392

-Tax: $932

-Photo rights $820

-Registration fee $11,640

-includes:

Venue setup

Runway set

Front door/backstage security

Stage, lighting, and sound system

Seating planning

Fitting coordination

Show choreography

Professional backstage staff (including dressers/choreographers)

Sound system operator/DJ

Professional makeup team

Professional hair stylists

Racks, hangers, steamers, irons

Models

1 PR agency on brand promotion

Press attendance coordinated by PR agencies

Local and international media interview

Global exposure to VIP's, celebrities, media

Logo, listing, and URL on Global Fashion Collective website

Direct livestream link in social media channels

Social media post on GFC accounts

Flight: $1500

Hotel: $1000

Food/transportation $500

=$16,392

I'm estimating high and rounding up to account for other things; such as taxes, some living expenses, airline baggage fees, transaction and payment processing, etc. I want to be as transparent as possible, so you know where the money is going!

Runway shows, especially of this caliber, can run upwards from $40k, but the Global Fashion Collective brings something like this a little bit closer in reach. The lower price tag, having all the services listed above included, and English speaking staff to guide me through new and unfamiliar territory make this the more obvious option and still allows me to finally play big.

Every donation is a step toward realizing my dreams of exhibiting in the country that inspires me, as well as expanding Miss Alphabet's global reach! Thank you!