London’s typography and design community is preparing for a landmark celebration on November 10, when Artwords bookshop plays host to the official launch of Alphabettes Soup: Feminist Approaches to Type. Published by Bikini Books, the 384-page anthology arrives as a significant milestone in contemporary graphic design, capturing a decade of critical discourse, community building, and creative output centered around the intersection of feminism and type design.
The evening promises to be an engaging gathering of minds, bringing together many of the brilliant practitioners, editors, and designers who helped bring the ambitious publication to life. The event will kick off with an introductory address by Teal Triggs, a prominent figure in design education and history who also contributed the book’s foreword. Triggs’ opening remarks will set the stage for an evening dedicated to exploring how gender equity, decentralized community models, and diverse perspectives are reshaping the landscape of modern typography.
Following the introduction, book designer Tereza Bettinardi will take the floor to deliver a special talk detailing the immense logistical and aesthetic undertaking required to design a single volume incorporating over 120 distinct typefaces while maintaining a cohesive and striking visual standard. Bettinardi’s insights into the craft of bookmaking will offer attendees a rare, behind-the-scenes look at the technical and creative problem-solving involved in bringing Alphabettes Soup from concept to print.
The centerpiece of the evening will be an informal, friendly, and conversational panel discussion moderated by Anoushka Khandwala. The panel features a stellar lineup of contributors and leading voices in the field, including Alessia Mazzarella, Catherine Dixon, Elena Veguillas, Eleni Beveratou, Maria Paganopoulou, Naïma Ben Ayed, Sahar Afshar, and Sophia Tai. Together, these designers, researchers, and writers will engage in open discussions surrounding feminist methodologies in type design, sharing their personal and professional experiences within an industry historically dominated by traditional Western narratives.
Organizers have curated the event to foster an atmosphere of connection and shared discovery, welcoming typographers, design students, researchers, and enthusiasts alike to join the conversation. The launch marks not only the celebration of a new publication but also a moment of reflection on the broader movement to make the design world more inclusive, equitable, and collaborative.
More Than an Anthology: A Living Type Specimen
Conceived as far more than a traditional anthology of essays, Alphabettes Soup functions simultaneously as a comprehensive reader and a vibrant type specimen. The book features over 55 original articles, essays, and interviews that dive deep into the complex intersections between culture, language, commercial business practices, emerging technologies, and type design. It also incorporates rich visual histories, candid interviews with members of the international Alphabettes network, and thoughtful reflections on both past initiatives and ongoing community-driven projects.
Central to the book’s unique identity is its ambitious showcase of typographic work. By featuring over 120 typefaces created exclusively by women and non-binary individuals, the publication acts as a powerful testament to the breadth and quality of talent within underrepresented groups in the design industry. Each page is designed to challenge entrenched historical canons that have long dominated both type history education and contemporary commercial practice.
The collaborative effort behind the publication has been immense, driven by a dedicated editorial and production team. Amy Papaelias served as editor, bringing together the diverse array of voices and written contributions, while Nina Paim coordinated the overarching project. Caren Litherland provided meticulous copy editing to ensure the clarity and rigor of the extensive written content. Published under the imprint of Bikini Books, the volume represents a triumph of independent publishing and collective action.
The realization of Alphabettes Soup directly mirrors the ethos of the Alphabettes organization itself—a professional network that has spent years championing the work of women and non-binary type professionals through mentorship, visibility, and mutual support. By gathering these critical texts and stunning typeface designs into a single volume, the book aims to inspire future generations of designers to question prevailing industry norms, forge their own paths, and cultivate decentralized, supportive design communities across the globe.
Event Details and Accessibility
The book launch and panel discussion will take place at Artwords bookshop, located at 2–4 Clarence Road, London, E5 8HB, on Tuesday, November 10. Doors and proceedings will run from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm. Due to expected high interest from the local design community, attendees are encouraged to secure their spots in advance through the official Eventbrite registration page.
For those unable to attend the London launch event in person, copies of Alphabettes Soup: Feminist Approaches to Type can be ordered directly through the Bikini Books website. Additional background information and ongoing reflections surrounding the milestone publication and the tenth anniversary of the network can be explored on the official Alphabettes website.
