Etsy Weddings Interview.

Stricken by wedding dress indecision? Can't decide whether to go custom or buy off the rack? Check out this post on the Etsy Weddings blog: three bridal designers (including me!) weigh in with their best advice.

a new one.

...still kind of a secret.

Here's another one.

I like to see a little laughter at a wedding. Is that tea in that cup, or something a little stronger?

Love this...

...photo Katie sent of her wedding. She wore my citron tulle dress, a definite favorite of mine. When she tried it on, it suited her so beautifully it was almost eerie. Thanks, Katie!

The New Collection.

Vertigo. Silk crepe de chine.

Flutter sleeve detail.

Spellbound. Silk crepe, Alençon lace.

The Lady Vanishes. Silk crinkle chiffon, silk charmeuse.

Double strap detail.

Topaz. Ivory silk crepe back satin, guipure lace.

Notorious. Blush Chantilly lace, silk organza.

The Bold Italic.

The Bold Italic is a smashing San Francisco city magazine with a focus on local style and culture. I'm so thrilled to be featured in their latest issue, SF By Design. Mariah, the winsome young lady in the upper right on the cover, had me custom make her a dress using some special vintage fabric from her stash. Fun! Get your issue here.

Pomp & Plumage (& Pearls).

Photo: Irene Suchocki

A little bird sent me this listing on Pomp & Plumage's Etsy shop--is that an Oysters & Pearls dress? I do believe it is.

We have moved (about 10 feet).

If you've been on our block lately, you may have noticed the mysterious workings in the space to our west--it's our new home! The English Dept. has officially relocated one door down to 1128 Alder. Our old space will be home to Lille Trousseau, a branch of our most favorite-favorite lingerie shop. In addition to their always-lovely selection of underpinnings, you'll find wedding-appropriate accessories (shoes!) curated especially to coordinate with our gowns. We couldn't be more excited. Lille Trousseau is set to open early May--watch this space! Now, on with the show...

Clara and Lauren will not let window vinyl get the best of them!

Beatrix cuts a rug.

Photo: A Girl in Love Photography

Kristine wore my Beatrix as her "dance dress" (I think every bride needs one). Check out her charming Michigan farm wedding, featured today on 100 Layer Cake!

Giselle in Brides Magazine.

 

At the shop we call Brides "the mothership" because it is the biggest, bride-iest, most venerable wedding publication on newsstands. So I was awed and proud to see Giselle in the March issue. Paired with a big splashy peony, which tells me that Brides gets Giselle. All hail Brides!

The weddingest town in America.

photo: Our Labor of Love

It's true--we do love our weddings here. Bike-friendly weddings, DIY weddings, chandelier-in-a-barn blowouts, photobooth fandangos, the works. So I was greatly honored to be named one of the top 10 reasons to get married in Portland, Oregon. A handmade dress! Don't you think?

Lovely trunk show May 15-16

We're in the studio working up lots of one-of-a-kind pieces for the upcoming Lovely trunk show. If you're in the NYC area and in need of a special little frock, I'll be bringing a sweet collection of short dresses, gowns made from limited edition materials, and a few surprises. Watch the Lovely web site for more details.

An antidote for wedding anxiety...

 I LOVE Carrie's story--such a breath of fresh air, and a reminder that you really can get married your way:

Hello Elizabeth and ladies of The English Department!

I have been meaning to write since I got married in February, but haven't had the chance. I was originally going to get married this summer, but wedding stress made us get creative. My fiancé (Martin) and I ran off to New York City, and on February 18th we had a fabulous guerilla wedding inside MoMA (in front of our favorite painting, Vincent vanGogh's Starry Night). We're both artists, and not really the most conventional couple. So to scrap the big wedding and do something crazy suited us well. We did have a few family members show up to be a part of the fun. It was really the best day of our lives.

You made me a Giselle dress with a matching bolero, and I actually also ended up wearing a Twigs & Honey custom headband. I've never felt more lovely in my life. So again thank you, and I am attaching a few photos of our special day for you all to see.

 I didn't even know you could have a guerrilla wedding inside a museum! This changes everything. Thanks, Carrie! You look so happy.

 

Thank you, Lovely.

I truly had a magical time at Lovely last weekend. Thanks to all you ladies who came and played dress up at my trunk show!

 

Thanks also to Cassandra, Lanie, and the smashing Lovely crew for making me feel so welcome. 

It's great fun for me to see dresses from my collection modeled by honest-to-goodness brides (left: "Tempest," right: "Honeychurch")...

...and I always like to bring a few new things (left: "Tea/Blush" gown, right: "Lizzie Swift" gown). So nice to see my work come to life! Now back to the studio...

The lady of the hour...

is definitely Oysters & Pearls. Here are a couple in progress.

new things...

I'll be debuting a new dress collection next week...can't wait to show you "the new girls." Stay tuned!

See you at Lovely!

Tomorrow begins my spring trunk show at Lovely in NYC--hope you can make it! Check the Lovely blog for more details.

Think pink.

Time for a little color therapy! Jenny Yoo dresses (and 5th anniversary flowers) in our shop window.

New York trunk show!

Now we are FIVE.

Five years ago today, The English Dept. opened its doors. Here I am with invaluable co-founder Joy Cohen during our earliest days at our original NW 23rd location (we're about to attack that ugly carpet and terra cotta tile behind us). I don't know what's scarier, my wide-eyed, thumbs-up innocence or the fact that I still have those pants. The English Dept. has certainly gone on an evolutionary journey, and I with it. To customers, friends--really everyone who has assisted in this miraculous little venture over the past half decade--I say a thousand thanks. Because of you, The English Dept. is still here, and thriving.

Hello, Spellbound.

New for 2012. 

Giselle takes flight.

Check out this dashing inspiration shoot inspired by the glamour of '60s era aviation. Everthine Bridal Boutique collaborated with photographer Olivia Gird and Ambiance Chic Wedding Designs to style up the Quonset Air Museum in Rhode Island. Such a great concept -- my Giselle dress loved being part of it. See all the photos over on Ruffled.

Just a little new thing I'm working on.

Don't worry, it's not a bridal belly shirt. It will go all the way down. Silk crepe + Alençon lace = double nice. Excited about this one.

Waiting in the wings.

{Mostly} Giselles and Ghosts waiting to go out to their girls.

Oh, the weather outside is frightful...

No, it really is--wind gusts ripping the tulips to bits, rain flying in all directions, and a cold that seems too, too impolite for April. Thankfully, Emily's dress is so delightful.

Lace illusion bodice over cream silk shantung, tulle gathered overskirt, and champagne silk sash. Every material used in this dress is a slightly different tone of vintage-y cream or ivory, and I love how not matchy-matchy it is.

Bridal Styling with Lovely L.A. on Green Wedding Shoes!

Need bridal styling advice? Watch this great little video featuring Lovely L.A.'s Merrill and my "For Emily" dress!

New York trunk show April 15th - 17th

For those of you planning a wedding in New York area, I'm having a trunk show at Lovely! My entire 2012 dress collection will be available to try on and order. I’ll also be bringing some special one-of-a-kind dresses and accessories that you can walk away with that day. Contact the dear ladies at Lovely for more info. Hope to see you there!

Moody blues.

These watercolor blues and greens seem just right for sunny/stormy April. Flower and leaf dress embellishment and sash for Sarah.

Postcard from the secret laboratory.

True, posting has been a bit sparse of late--my sewing machine is a jealous mistress. To each and every one of you lovely ladies who has chosen to wear one of my dresses for your wedding day, I am truly honored. So honored, that for now it's less typing, more sewing! Thank goodness the weather has been absolutely rotten. Nothing keeps a girl on task quite like a Portland spring.

Oysters & Pearls (full length) for Amy.