The launch event promises an engaging lineup of speakers and panelists representing the forefront of contemporary type design and theory. The evening will commence with an introductory address by Teal Trigger, who also authored the introduction to the book. Following this, book designer Tereza Bettinardi will deliver a specialized talk detailing the intricate process of designing a comprehensive 384-page volume utilizing over 120 distinct typefaces while maintaining a cohesive and striking visual aesthetic.
The core of the evening will feature an informal, friendly, and accessible panel discussion. The session brings together prominent figures in the design community, including Alessia Mazzarella, Catherine Dixon, Elena Veguillas, Eleni Beveratou, Naïma Ben Ayed, Sahar Afshar, and Sophia Tai. The panel will be skillfully moderated by Anoushka Khandwala, guiding conversations around feminist approaches to type, inclusive design practices, and the evolving landscape of typography.
Organizers note that the event offers a unique opportunity for designers, researchers, typographers, and enthusiasts to gather and discuss the cultural and technical intersections of typography. The launch will take place at Artwords Bookshop, located at 2–4 Clarence Road in London, running from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM on Tuesday, November 10.
The publication of Alphabettes Soup is the result of a collaborative international effort, bringing together a dedicated editorial and production team. The project has been spearheaded by editor Amy Papaelias, coordinator Nina Paim, copy editor Caren Litherland, and book designer Tereza Bettinardi, alongside publishers Bikini Books and a vast community of contributors who helped bring the ambitious publishing project to fruition.
Far more than a conventional anthology, Alphabettes Soup: Feminist Approaches to Type is meticulously conceived and structured to function simultaneously as a functional type specimen book. Spanning 384 pages, the volume features contributions from more than 100 individuals, compiling 55 original articles, essays, and interviews. These texts delve deeply into the complex intersections connecting culture, language, commercial business practices, emerging technologies, and typography.
In addition to critical essays, the book incorporates in-depth interviews with members of the Alphabettes network, visual histories documenting the community’s evolution, and thoughtful reflections on both past initiatives and ongoing projects within the field. Crucially, the publication serves as a platform for representation, showcasing over 120 typefaces created exclusively by women and non-binary individuals.
By centering these voices and practices, the book aims to actively challenge dominant, historically narrow narratives that have long defined type history and contemporary professional practice. Ultimately, Alphabettes Soup seeks to serve as an empowering resource, inspiring future generations of designers to question traditional frameworks and build their own decentralized, inclusive design communities.
The publication arrives as part of a broader milestone for the community, building upon a decade of advocacy, visibility, and networking for women and non-binary people in the type industry. Those unable to attend the London launch event can order copies directly through the Bikini Books website, while further background information and historical context regarding the community’s decade-long journey can be found on the official Alphabettes platform.
