Haven.

It's her name, but it's also just the right word to describe these photos from her sweet Montana wedding. We worked together (at long distance!) to design her custom wedding dress. The fabric: a  heavy silk taffeta with a subtle ivory pinstripe, fashioned into a corset style gown with a very luxurious full circle skirt.

Best wishes, Haven. May you, your husband, and all the pretty horses have years and years of bliss.

Ivy & Aster.

Photos: Sweet Little Photographs

We were completely bewitched by Ivy & Aster's dress collection at Bridal Market, and can't wait for it to arrive at The English Dept. These are the freshest little frocks I've seen a long time--they're pretty, they're sexy, they're modern--to call them bridesmaid dresses seems almost unfair. I have my eye on that little lady in the top left photo. I'm talking about you, Pinky.

All smiles.

Photo: Sean Flanigan

Love this photo of Erin in her Elizabeth Dye alençon lace shrug. Best wishes, you happy people.

Too darn hot.

Just when Oregon autumn hits with its one-two punch of rain and wind, I get a reminder of sweet, sweet summer. Remember this dress? Emily just sent me a few photos from her wedding--she says it was 100(!) degrees that day, and you can almost hear the sunflare sizzle in this photo.

 

Then again, love is impervious to little trials of temperature.

Pleased as punch to be part of this beautifully curated group on the Etsy home page today!

Announcing...San Francisco showroom!

The rumors are all true—I’m opening a studio and showroom in the city where I, like so many others, left my heart. It will be a working design studio, as well as a showroom for my complete dress collection, limited edition and one-of-a-kind dresses, accessories, and other special finds. I’m collaborating with Duchess Clothier, dear friends and makers of amazing men’s suits, to create a unique his ‘n’ hers shopping experience. I expect to be open for appointments by early December--if you’re planning a Bay Area wedding and would like to pay a visit, just email me!

Rose/Dust: English Dept. Fall 2012 Editorial

Autumn bridal style from a very English Dept. point of view. Here.

To market, to market...

Whew! Clara and I are just returned from New York Bridal Market, and what a whirlwind of tulle and chiffon it was. Although we saw plenty of this sort of thing...

 ...we also happened upon some absolutely stunning new dresses for The English Dept. Now back to the secret lab to finalize our collection for 2012. More to come!

Tx, NYC...

I just got back from a heavenly week in New York, bookended by my fall trunk show at Lovely (thanks, ladies!) and 2012 Bridal Market (lots of gorgeous new dresses coming for Spring). I walked and walked--sourcing, shopping, researching and just taking it all in. Although I'm a West Coast girl at heart, I'm always gobsmacked by the sights, spirits, tastes and textures of this amazing city.

Tulle of all colors in the Garment District

More silk flowers than you can shake a stick at

Steve Jobs memorial at the Soho Apple Store

Palimpsests on the High Line

Now, a bit footsore but dizzy with inspiration, it's time to get back to work. I have big (exciting!) plans in the works, which I'll announce later this week!

Amaranth, a love {color} story.

Amaranth in bloom

Matta wool gauze dress from Una

vintage felt flowers from Bernadette Breu

Every year at this time, when I'm bicycling around my neighborhood, I see it--like a blood-red bolt of lightning--amaranth! The smart people who plant it in their gardens {I forget every year} are rewarded each October by the most luscious, vivid magenta plumage amid the nodding stalks and drooping leaves of autumn. What a lovely last hurrah of the season. I decided to dig into my closet for a fast fix of that gorgeous color and am dressed in honor of amaranth today. I may look a bit funny, but I feel flowerlike.

Keli in Storyville.

 The gorgeous Keli in my Storyville gown. How great is her go-big-or-go-home bouquet (not to mention her million-watt smile)?

Even the sun played along. Best wishes, Keli. xo

Great Gatsby, by way of Brooklyn.

100 Layer Cake recently posted this sweet editorial from Southern Weddings, styled by the talented Jillian and shot in Red Hook. My Honeychurch dress was featured.

Many gifted folks collaborated on the shoot--see all the photos here.

2012 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.

Alabaster.

Circa, full length.

Cristobal.

Dusk, tea length.

For Emily, full length.

Giselle, full length.

Miss Bianca.

Snowbell.

Tempest.

Tea/Blush.

East or west, grey is best.

A few photos of Angela's flower-strewn farm wedding in Vermont. We collaborated on a custom dress in the perfect pale grey shade of cotton satin. You can view a closeup of the silk embellished neckline here. Best wishes, lovely girl!

Photos: Sam Simon Imaging

New York trunk show!

Next week I'll be traveling to the happiest place in New York, Lovely bridal boutique, for a trunk show to reveal my 2012 dress collection. If you're in the area, I'd love to meet you and show off the new styles! Contact Lovely to make an appointment.