Track 1 - Kisses & Kindness - Jan 2026

Liner Notes | The Electric Eye Apparel Monthly Blog 

Intro

Here's the feelings behind the songs.

The stories behind the stitches.

And the life around Electric Eye Apparel. 

Radio Royalty Zoe Ball and Jo Whiley wearing my Harry Styles inspired 'Kiss All The Time' and 'Disco, Occasionally' embroidered sweatshirts felt like the perfect high to end January on. A moment of joy after the post-Christmas lull. It flowed naturally after our Act of Kindness Campaign, a small anti-dote to the January Blues. Alongside it all, the 20th Anniversary of Arctic Monkeys' 'Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not' and my musical time-machine back to 2016. I, of course, made some 'Mardy Bum' embroidered sweatshirts to honour the occasion...

Act of Kindness Campaign

January can feel heavy at the best of times, and after the Christmas madness this year it hit hard. Christmas 2025 was my biggest yet, an incredible moment for my small business - but as a one-woman show it came with long hours embroidering, working nonstop around nativities, winter bugs, Christmas parties, pantomimes, Christmas shopping, and hosting sixteen lovely family members on Christmas Day. 

It was chaotic, noisy, and exactly how I like it but when it all stopped, the first couple of weeks of January brought complete burnout. Instead of pushing straight into a January sale, I wanted to respond to that feeling differently...

The Act of Kindness campaign grew out of that moment, choosing generosity over discounting. My gorgeous customers personalised lyrics and messages on a free T-shirt to gift to someone who might need a little lift, and I stitched each one, wrapped it, included a handwritten note, and sent it directly to the recipient.

Making these was genuinely lovely; the stories behind the lyrics, the reasons they were chosen, were so touching. I also made a wee front-facing video about the campaign, something I’ve shied away from in recent years and while it felt completely out of my comfort zone, it reminded me that showing up matters. In 2026, I want to gently push myself to do more of that.

Zoe Ball, Jo Whiley, Harry Styles & a Pinch-Me Moment!

Seeing the lovely Zoe Ball and Jo Whiley wearing my sweatshirts, pieces inspired by my genuine love of music, stitched in my home studio — completely stopped me in my tracks! I grew up with their voices on the radio; they soundtracked my life, introduced me to bands and records I might never have found otherwise. Two bloody legends, Queens of Cool and Radio Royalty.

To now see something I designed and made worn by them felt completely surreal. What made it even more moving was that they didn’t need to use their platforms to give my small business a shout-out — but they did.

The kindness, the encouragement, the genuine support in my DMs and on the podcast meant more than I can really put into words.

Watch the clip here

I run Electric Eye Apparel alone. There’s no marketing budget, no team behind the scenes; just me, my machines, some banging playlists, coffee and a lot of late nights! So moments like this really hit differently, when you've built it all from scratch.

After losing my Instagram and a community of 20,000 last year, being shown that level of support felt incredibly emotional - the kind of thing that could genuinely make me cry. A reminder to keep going, even when things feel wobbly. Hearing my little Maggie’s name mentioned on the podcast, and watching her buzz with excitement before school, was one of those glimmers you hold onto.

It also felt fitting that this moment was tied to my Harry Styles–inspired 'Kiss All The Time and Disco Occasionally' pieces. With a new track dropped, a tour announced, and the world collectively going wild, it already feels like a Harry summer and honestly, we all needed it!

There can still be a trace of judgement around Harry because of where he came from; a reality show, a boyband but as Zoe and Jo discussed so perfectly, the talent has always been there.

Watching his evolution from teen pop singer into a genuinely captivating, confident artist has been fascinating - musically, creatively, and stylistically. It's well-documented that he draws so much inspiration from David Bowie (his new video for Aperture draws from Bowie's 'I'm Afraid of Americans'), and any fellow Bowie fans are always alright with me!

These t-shirts and sweatshirts are my small tribute, made with genuine respect and admiration. Embroidered with a love of music, lyrics and artistry. Embroidered on super soft organic cotton, with lots of styles available and you can choose your own embroidery colour - including our gorgeous glitter (very Harry) and neon threads. Full size range from sizes XXS-6XL.

Here’s to a Harry summer - I think we’re more than ready for it! I can't wait to see you all rocking your custom tees and sweats. Don't forget to tag @electriceyeembroidery

Check out the range here.

Twenty Bloody Years since that Arctic Monkeys album!

Twenty. Bloody. Years.

How is that even possible?

Twenty years since Arctic Monkeys released 'Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not' an album that didn’t just play in the background of my life, but soundtracked some of the most glorious, wide-open years of it. I was 19. Everything felt possible. And it marked a genuine cultural shift, a real moment in music history. 

Honestly, it’s hard to think of another record that defined a generation quite like it did -probably the most generation-defining album since Oasis' '(What's the Story) Morning Glory?' in the ’90s. Getting ready in cramped bedrooms, indie clubs on weeknights, dancing until your feet hurt, feeling everything so loudly and so deeply. One listen now and I’m straight back there - 2006 - singing my wee heart out like nothing else mattered.

So much of that time lives in the details: cheap cider mixed with blackcurrant, Topshop jeans and a “nice top,” Dream Matte Mousse applied with reckless abandon, Kate Moss perfume sprayed like it was a personality trait. Myspace pages curated like emotional support systems. Choosing your Top Friends like foreign policy. Adding girls you bonded with in club toilets like soulmates for life. Music wasn’t just music - it was identity!

A lot has changed in twenty years. I’m still here, still loving the music, just with SPF instead of fake tan, pints of water instead of cider, turmeric shots over Apple Sourz - and I’m definitely asleep by 10pm, not heading out at 11. But press play on that album and suddenly I’m 19 again, dancing around my studio, singing my heart out, feeling that same spark.

The ‘Mardy Bum’ embroidered sweatshirts are my little dedication to all of that.

A wearable love letter to that time, that music, and the memories that still live in every lyric. Made with so much affection and nostalgia - for the nights out, the friendships, the fashion disasters, the feeling that everything was just beginning.

Music really does have the power to take you right back. And sometimes, that’s exactly what we need.

O️utro

And just like that, January is almost done - the longest month, finally clocking off.

I’m feeling so much lighter than I did at the start of it, more like myself again, with that familiar creative buzz back in full swing.

After an indulgent Christmas and New Year, I decided to do Dry January, and honestly… I’m going to keep it going. A month off the booze has left me feeling brighter, sharper and more energetic, and I’m leaving January in a really good place - something I want to hold onto and build on.

This month held a lot: burnout and kindness, nostalgia and pinch-me moments, quiet reflection and very loud joy (yes that's me squealing when I spotted Jo and Zoe in my jumpers!).

As I head into the rest of the year, I’m feeling genuinely excited to keep creating, to keep telling stories through music and stitches, and to push myself a little more out of my comfort zone.

I also want to say a genuine THANK YOU to everyone who continues to support my small business, and to all the new faces who’ve found Electric Eye recently and placed orders after seeing Zoe Ball and Jo Whiley wearing my designs. It honestly means more than I can say. I’m just one person, stitching away at home, so every order, message and bit of support really does matter. It’s an honour to be able to share this space with you - a community brought together by music, memories and a love of something a little bit special to me. I’m so grateful you’re here.

I’ve already got some exciting things lined up for February, so stay tuned... the next track is just getting started.

I'll leave you with my Playlist for Jan 2026

Big Love,

Alissa x @seamstressforthebrand 

For regular updates, follow @electriceyeembroidery