Hi, I'm Taissa, and I run and design under Taissa Lada Designs.

I'm not very good at writing these things so here goes. When I was a kid I was the movie "The Dark Crystal" and I knew right then and there that I wanted to be a designer. Jim Henson struck some sort of twisted cord in me, sparked my mind and the fire began to burn. Not long after that I got bit by the punk rock bug and quickly developed a weakness for boys with guitars, all things tattered and torn and of course plaid and leopard print. I started out as a psychology major after graduating high school and selling my items in a tiny shop on the West Bank in Minneapolis called 'Intermezzo" in 1990 then went into fashion design after deciding to do so after one too many shots of whisky at The Uptown Bar in 1991 and needed to decide over Parsons or SAIC so I ended up flipping a quarter over it and Chicago it was. I moved there in 1992 got my BFA with honors in 1996 and resided there for 13 years then came back to Minneapolis ( where I was born and raised) when I was in dire need of some sort of change. This whole hat thing honestly happened one day when a former hair dresser canceled on me and I needed to cover up my nappy roots. I clipped in a bunch of random feathers and flowers that were on my studio floor and I guess the rest is history. One thing just lead to another and here I am close to 7 thousand sales later. I tend to relate to musicians more than designers and honestly I really have no idea what is going on in the world of fashion nor do I give a rat's ass. I still do have my favorites though. Some early influences were Stephan Sprouse, Betsy Johnson, Vivienne Westwood and Chanel. I don't really have a method behind my madness, I just start working and I see where my mind and hands will take me. So what you see is what you get but be prepared to expect the unexpected, I am after all inspired by the ordinary and the extraordinary.

Returns. Sorry, but I don't take returns due to sanitation reasons. Unless the item was some how misrepresented or there was a screw up in the listing refunds will not be given. I am not responsible for lost or damaged items in the mail either. If you are not happy with your item and feel the need to leave me negative feedback, go right a head.

Shipping. I usually ship every day and or every other day so you should get your items fairly quickly, if I do get behind on shipping I will let you know. If you need something shipped over night/express that is fine just let me know so I can do my best to get it to you. Shipping for this is extra and payment must be made before 10:00 am of the day you want the merchandise sent. I do not ship more than three items per box and my rules apply to everyone.

Payments and bidding, Payments must be made after three days of the auction won. I prefer if you pay after you win three auctions. This is much easier for me to keep track of everything. If you don't pay on time I will report you and block you. No "get out of jail free cards", extensions on payments and the "Special Snowflake Syndrome" does not apply either. Sorry if I sound like a b*tch but designing is my full time job and has been so for many, many years. If you don't have the funds too bad, don't buy my merchandise. Believe me, no one ever died from losing an auction or not being able to purchase a hat or headband.

o.k. here are some weird facts about me. I like the smell of bleach and riding my bike in the rain. I feel naked with out my perfume and red lipstick and I have a terrible habit of buying too many expensive shoes I hardly ever wear because I spend the majority of my time working and running around in my ratty converse. Some of my favorite bands are Hole, Soul Asylum, Green Day, X, Sonic Youth, The Muffs, Husker Du, The Replacements, Mazzy Star, The Clash and few more I can't think of at the moment. As far as fashion/style goes my own advice is simple, find what you love and make it your own. I may have traded in my combat boots for six inch heels but I am still a punk rock chick at heart and will probably shop at shop at Ragstock until the day I die..

Tommy Stinson, Taissa Lada, Dave Pirner