San Francisco trunk show!

I've collaborated with Duchess on many a wedding (including this one), and I'm thrilled to announce we are taking our his + hers wedding apparel show on the road. The smashing sisters of Hello! Lucky will graciously host us for a San Francisco weekend event featuring my dresses for the ladies, Duchess suits for the gentlemen (or ladies, as the case may be), and copious amounts of prosecco for all. If you're looking to dress up for a wedding in the Bay Area and would like to attend, just email for more details!

Gathered: A Wedding Event (tonight!)

Join me this evening for a cozy little congregation of my favorite Portland-area wedding experts! Sip champagne, meet and greet, get inspired...see you at Ink & Peat!

Ghost in New Zealand.

Caroline just sent me these incredible photos of her New Zealand elopement. Now that's what I call a romantic setting for a runaway wedding. Best wishes, Caroline and Matt. xo

Did you get Hitched?

Photo: Erin Hearts Court

My dresses made an appearance in the fashion show at Hitched, a super-cool wedding event at the Ace Hotel in Palm Springs last month. The show was styled by the gifted Catherine Sheppard of The Life Styled. She was kind enough to share these photos. I had hot plans to attend personally, when a vicious winter flu knocked me sideways at the last minute--still a bit bitter about the poolside lounging I missed. But what a gorgeous show! Thanks, Catherine.

 

 

 

Keepsake lace gown. Photo: Amelia Lyon

 

 

Real Simple loves Beatrix

Grayling Bridal Jewelry Collection

Photos: Lisa Warninger

I'm honored that Portland-based Grayling used some of my dresses to showcase their new bridal jewelry collection. See the whole collection here.

Fashion show photos!

Our 2012 Fashion Show was so much fun! If you weren't able to attend, here are some photos, shot by the lovely Lisa Warninger. You can also view a complete run of the show here.

Ivy & Aster "In Bloom"

Nicole Miller metal taffeta gown with beading

Nicole Miller sweetheart metal taffeta gown

Elizabeth Dye "Rose/Dust"

Ivy & Aster "Sweet Dreams"

Elizabeth Dye "Tempest"
All photos: Lisa Warninger

Alexander McQueen oyster dress, Spring 2003.

Two if by Sea.

The stunning Jillian modeling my "Two if by Sea" gown at our 2012 English Dept. bridal fashion show. See a complete gallery of photos here.

My, Mai.

Once in a while, if you're a very lucky designer, you get a dream client. What makes Mai so dreamy? Hm, let me run down my wish list: stylish in a totally personal way, sweet natured, confident, full of fun and brimming over with great ideas.

 

When Mai first described all of her ensemble (I'm responsible for the dress, sash and organza shrug), I wondered how her bright flowers, hair accessory by Twigs & Honey and her shoes (you can't see them in these photos but they were these, if I recall) would work together. All I can say is, Mai knows what she knows. So! Fun! Thanks, Mai! I loved working with you.

A happy day to all you lovers out there
{it's also the 153rd anniversary of Oregon's statehood, if you'd like an alternative holiday to celebrate}

Imperfectly perfect.

Don't get me wrong, I love an impeccably lit, perfectly posed wedding photo, but nothing ties my heartstrings in knots like these.
Elise ordered a long version of my cupcake dress for her November wedding in Missouri.
Though we never met in person, I feel like she's a friend.
She was blessed with balmy (mid-70s!) weather, good friends and family, and of course--love. Thanks and congratulations, Elise!

Could you be our girl?

The English Dept. is a bustling little shop with a special mission. We focus on non-traditional bridal, bridesmaid and special occasion dresses in an intimate boutique setting. We pride ourselves on providing excellent service in a relaxed environment. Our ideal employee has experience, energy and enthusiasm, a cheerful and patient disposition, a ready grasp of details, the ability to learn quickly and independently, and the ability to assist a diverse community of customers with their shopping experience. It's a special opportunity for the right person...could it be you? If you are in the Portland area and think you might like to work with us, please deliver a resume in person to The English Dept. Please include a cover letter telling us why you'd like to be part of our team.

Honeychurch in Hudson Valley.

It feels like Spring today, and after I spied Megan's wedding over on Style Me Pretty, I couldn't resist featuring all the fresh, natural greens in these photos (more here). Love the chartreuse spider mums, the bride's leafy-green sash and the bridesmaid dresses. The bride wore Honeychurch. Congratulations, Megan and Ryan!

Photos: Weddings by Two

Adieu, Bella Flora

This little lady is about to leave the studio to meet her new destiny as Brooke's wedding dress, but I did want to give her a proper goodbye photo shoot. I wish I could say that the gauzy, vignette-y photo technique is intentional, but really I can only do so well with my point-and-shoot once the afternoon light has fled my windows. Hopefully Brooke will have some sunnier wedding photos to share--that's always best.

THANK YOU {and first glimpses}

Thanks to everyone who came out yesterday for A Novel Romance, The English Dept.'s annual bridal fashion show. We had a packed house, pretty flowers, mimosas, cute models in neon stockings--really, I can't think of a better way to spend a Sunday (Superbowl notwithstanding). We should have "official" pics within a few days, but meanwhile, Leela passed along these really cool Diana camera photos! Enjoy.

San Francisco showroom is open!

Hi lovelies! I'm pleased to announce that my San Francisco showroom with Duchess Clothier is open and I am taking appointments. If you'd like to come try on pretty dresses or consult with me about a custom gown, just e-mail me with your preferred date and time.

We'd like to thank the academy.

So many talented people helped us put on our fashion show, and it's time for a shout out! The lovely hair styling was done by Salon 220, makeup was by Madi Cosmetics, flowers by Ink & Peat, photography by the incredible Lisa Warninger. Some very special hats and headpieces came from Pinkham Millinery. Additional dress embellishments and headpieces by Twigs & Honey (we at the English Dept. worked up a few, too). Our generous host for the event was the Ace Hotel. Incredible smoked-salt-lavender chocolates were courtesy of Neopolitan Printing. Canoe offered bridal registry (check it out, ladies). Thank you, also, to everyone who attended--it was an honor to show off our party dresses for you! A complete slide show of the show can be seen here.

Lovely comes west!

I'm thrilled to announce that Lovely bridal boutique, my favorite shop in New York, is opening a Los Angeles location! They'll carry my new collection, including my Tea/Blush gown (center frame). Opening day will be February 14th. Congratulations, ladies!

A day of rest.

photo: Myra Callan

Will you just look at these beautiful ladies? Our annual English Dept. bridal fashion show came off without a hitch yesterday (hurrah!). Thanks to everyone who attended, helped out, carried stuff, cheered us on, fixed a zipper, or modeled (l to r: Lacey, Jenna, Linda May, Sarah, Jillian, Kathleen, Canyon). I feel honored to have such beauty and talent all around me. A million thanks. And now, a nap.