Built by Wendy is BACK

We're so pleased to announce the return of Built by Wendy to The English Dept. A beloved designer from our "freshman class" when we first opened in early 2005, Wendy is a girl for all seasons. Her pieces are fresh, utterly modern and totally irresistible. We couldn't love her more. A big order is coming next spring, but we were also able to snag a few selections from her fall collection to have in the shop for the holidays. Peruse and enjoy.

BUNDLE UP SALE

These cool crisp mornings make us crave sharp, tailored coats, woolly hats to pull down 'round our ears, and soft, non-scratchy sweaters. To celebrate the change in season, The English Dept. is having a BUNDLE UP SALE. All coats and sweaters are at least 20% off now through November 15th. This includes amazing peacoatish styles from Veena and Borne, classics in plaid and jacquard from Annelore, and cashmere galore from New Scotland. We figure you deserve a treat for yourself before the holiday mayhem begins, and we wouldn't want you to get chillblains. Extra credit for knowing what chillblains are...anyone? anyone?

IVANA Helsinki in Elle!

As the only store on the west coast (and one of very few in the U.S.) to carry this very special collection from Finland, we were so proud to spot IVANA Helsinki in the November issue of Elle Magazine. Her pieces are going fast, so don't miss your chance to dress up this winter in fab Finnish style...

Praise from Portland Monthly

The English Dept. was selected by Portland Monthly magazine as one of the finest boutiques on Northwest 23rd Avenue: "Less than two years old, The English Department gets high marks for having already created an advanced style curriculum. Best in class: feminine apparel by local and international designers such as Baum und Pferdgarten, plus a clutch of glazed vintage housewares."

[thx PM, we're blushing]

Elizabeth Dye in Venus!

If you haven't seen Elizabeth's "Little Nell" dress in the Fall 2006 issue of Venus magazine--well, it's quite the centerfold. As for the dress--it's exclusive to The English Dept. And yes, it has pockets.

Mixed Media

The English Dept. has gotten a bit of a rush from the press lately. First, we'd like to thank the lovely people at Oregon Bride magazine for profiling us as a source for non-frou frou wedding and bridesmaid dresses in their Fall issue.They also featured our vintage and handmade accessories in their stunning black and white bridal editorial.

Merci, Oregon Bride.

"Get schooled by the classy gals at The English Department, an adorable new boutique in Portland's Nob Hill. Co-owners Elizabeth Dye and Joy Cohen extended the store for bridal fashion, complete with their own lines. Always visualized sporting your mom's dress without sky-high puffy sleeves? Elizabeth can conjure up similar garb from scratch or renew an old dress with adornments. Joy's jewelry line features vintage pendants dangling from light gold chains (perfect for your "something old"). And they're not bride-centric; for the girls, the department is Portland's only carrier of fabulous 'maids lines from New York City, like Thread and Jenny Yoo. They're open 7 days a week and cater to the anti-bride--that is, the girl that wants an understated bridal salon experience. The English Department bride is all about minimalism and modernity; you won't find massive mounds of tulle here, but you may find the dress of your dreams--made in Portland, to boot."

October Report Card

October! Now we *know* fall is the real deal. Time for new notebooks, warming soups, coats and sweaters and sturdy boots...

So much shockingly adorable merchandise has flown into The English Dept. in the last fortnight or so--Baum und Pferdgarten from Denmark, IVANA Helsinki from Finland, Annelore, Mona & Holly, Webster and Paala from NYC ... a new parcel almost every day. Here are a few snaps of our freshest offerings (modeled by the incomparable Gretchen).
Come have a look.

L to R:
Webster silk print school blouse, Elizabeth Dye linen "Little Nell" dress
Woodcutter's Daughter dress, IVANA Helsinki
Snow Maiden dress, IVANA Helsinki
Mona & Holly high-necked pullover, Webster houndstooth skirt
Paala silk ruffle blouse, Mon Petit Oiseau rumpled plaid trousers

Perhaps the prettiest wedding ever.

Once in a while, a bride comes along who art directs her wedding with a cool creative brilliance that leaves us in awe. Introducing Katie Birkholz (née Crookston). She recently sent us photos of her happy--and lovely--event. Our favorite touch: truffle silk chiffon Thread bridesmaid dresses from The English Dept. Congratulations, and brava.

Elizabeth Dye Fall 2006 Fashion Show

photo by Portland Mercury

Thanks to everyone who attended Elizabeth's show, "The Artful Dodger," as part of the 2006 Collections Fall Fashion Week. Elizabeth is busy photographing all of her pieces and will have them at The English Dept. within the next week. Also, check out her rust linen "Little Nell" dress in the most recent issue of Venus magazine. You can view more photos of the collection on Ultra PDX, and a videocast at the Portland Mercury web site (click on Blogtown PDX, then Fashion).

Exclamation Points!

Portland Monthly Magazine gave us this lovely pat on the back.

Autumn...already. All ready?

We're not ready to relinquish summer's pleasures anymore than you are...river swimming, sundresses, ginger limeade...but fashion never waits for the leaves to fall. Our fall selections have started to arrive! And yes, we're excited. You know how designers create "mood boards" to illustrate their vision for a particular project? Well, here's ours for FALL 2006: Anglomania, British punk, tomboy rebel, that pretty pale goth girl who wrote poetry in her notebook in the back of class, tartan kilts on misty moors, gilt and scrolls and sealing wax and tarnished silver and antique lace and a splash of claret with a good, good book. Not ready for all that coziness just yet?
Luckily, these early-Fall dresses--by Development and Mint--are sleek enough to take you from this month's sweltering outdoor wedding to next month's chill-in-the-air First Thursday. Happy hunting...

P.S. The English Dept. Summer Sale is still on! There's even a $25 dollar bin. Now's your chance to enjoy some English Dept. spoils without the guilt. Seriously, our prices don't get much better than this. $25 bin. Seriously.

Que Sarah Sera

We've just received a dear little delivery of pieces from local emerging designer, Sarah Weick. She produced her first-ever fashion show this spring, and we're pleased as punch to feature our favorites from the collection at The English Dept. Featuring nautical details and lush (but not fussy) silks, they're the perfect pieces for high summer. There are only two of each piece (one of the sailor skirts and yellow dresses have already been snatched up), so hurry--just like Sarah, these designs are going places.

This is what it's really all about.

You know, when we decided to carry Special Occasion dresses (I kind of hate that term), we really didn't know what we were getting into. Bridal is high stakes, let me tell you. There are days when it's pretty challenging- like when someone needs a dress for next weekend. And we're all on pins and needles the week a dress is scheduled to arrive. However, nothing feels better than hearing from a bride AFTER the wedding to tell us how good she felt. Here's a pic of one of our very first brides on her special day. She said she felt beautiful, and we'd have to agree.

Wimbledon Weekend Sale July 7, 8, 9

Yes, we're pouting because Agassi's out (can't help loving that rascal--remember the Wimbledon where he was sent home to change because his tennis "whites" were too loaded with sponsor logos?). On the other hand, we're cheering from the cheap seats because almost EVERYTHING is on sale at The English Dept. Save 20 to 70% on spring and summer merch--we must make room for the gobstoppingly gorgeous fall gear we've got coming. Come see us--it's on all weekend.

Past Perfect

There's really nothing more modern than using your computer, especially to read a blog. What's funny, though, is that I spend most of my time on the internet looking for vintage goods. As I while away the time on my laptop, I'm actually longing for the days of old. Back in college, instead of studying for my Shakespeare exams, I would spend all my time at the library looking through old Good Housekeeping magazines. I may be deficient in my knowledge of iambic pentameter, but I know an awful lot about what to wear when cleaning out my garage! I just love vintage fashion articles.

I found the greatest website the other day:
www.oldmagazinearticles.com. Click here to check it out. If you type in "fashion" (or any other topic you fancy) you'll be presented with articles from the first half of the 20th century with titles like "Paris Grows a Bit More Gay" (by that they mean festive), published in 1915! I could spend my entire day reading through the articles, but I do have my future to think about. It's back to work for me.

Yes, Virginia

Virginia Johnson is a Canadian fashion illustrator with a fresh, effortless way of dashing her brush across a page. Hasty little strokes become leafy fronds, sketched circles take shape as owlish eyes. Her latest project: designing breezy cotton pieces in the prettiest hand-drawn prints you ever saw. Don't sweat through sundress season without one of her lighter-than-air frocks. Available in Portland exclusively at--mais oui!--The English Dept.

Holiday! Celebrate!

We're back from the L.A. Fall & Holiday Market with a camera full of new clothes for the cold season. The mercury may be topping triple digits this week, but we're falling in love with peppy Parisian knits, European prints, silks in lovely rose and mineral tones, cozy wool coats...here are nine glimpses of what's coming to English Dept. this winter.


L.A. ahoy: Joy on Mulholland Drive

Hi, June!

Memorial Day has passed, and it's officially summer--the season for white shoes, black iced coffee and clothes you don't have to think about. Here are some new arrivals in that category:
One of a kind nautical jersey tops from Supayana--our girl in Brooklyn
Jersey tanks and dresses from Enza Costa (feather-light and functionally feminine)
Sundresses by Elizabeth Dye (she's obsessed with "Stepford-Wives"-meets-South-of-France maxi-dresses right now)
New Thread bridal samples! Some great slinky party styles as well as crisp, perfect silk seersucker. Order these dresses, find a meadow of daisies and get married in it, PRONTO.

Next up: Notes from So.Cal. We're heading to LA Market for the weekend.

The City of Lost Children

Around here we keep pretty interesting company. Lovely dresses from Brazil, little tees handmade in Finland...you get the idea. While some pieces barely make our acquaintance before heading home with someone else, others hang around a bit longer. Some might say they stay long after the party has ended. It's really hard to say why some items hang around. In fact, we're really at a loss, because we love all of our babies equally! We really believe that some great pieces are being overlooked. This entry is the first of a semi-regular series featuring some underappreciated beauties. Pam is wearing Annelore's Sophie top, denim trousers by Development, and the amazing straw weekender is by the French design house April,May. We don't normally reward neglectful behavior, but we'll make an exception here. All of these items are on sale! You know you always root for the underdog anyway.

We'd Like To Thank The Academy...

I was just looking through my archived pictures from the past few months. We never discussed our anniversary party. We had a nice, intimate turnout. After a little more reflection, we'd like to thank you for a really great first year. You have been so supportive and patient while we tried to figure this thing out. We learned a ton from you. We now know that you prefer clothing from lesser known designers, those who do it themselves. You responded so well to the likes of Supayana, Maria Bonita Extra, and Ivana Helsinki that we're inspired to find more like them! Here's to another year. We hope you'll join us!
-Joy and Elizabeth

Summer's new arrivals and SALE

It's that marvelous, mercurial Portland spring-summer, and The English Dept. is packed with special pieces for the season: modern sundresses, clever little tops, nautical knickers, and plenty of silk finery for summer parties. New designers include:
IVANA Helsinki. One of Elizabeth's finds from her trip to Scandinavia--adorable bird-print blouses, sailor-y t-shirts and tanks. Check out the full collection here.
Mon Petit Oiseau. Indestructible cotton separates in cute-as-the-dickens prints.
Supayana. A total underground fashion phenomenon--her one-of-a-kind jersey tops sell for hundreds on Ebay in mysterious hipster bidding wars...is it those Harujuku girls in Tokyo? Designer Yana Gorbulsky has been gracious enough to offer several of her fetching tops through The English Dept...her only store on the west coast. Get a look at her work here. We love it and we think you will, too.

ALSO...we're having a SALE for the Memorial Day weekend...which promises to be somewhat sun-flecked. Up to 40% off on our last sizes of Annelore, Development, Maria Bonita Extra, Mona & Holly and other favorites. There are truly some treasures on the sale rack; come have a look.

A big hand for summer

My summer obsession has always been polished nails. (Actually, it's a year-round obsession, but you don't need to worry yourself with that). I've been polishing my nails since I was a little girl on Long Island. I just feel like I have my act together when my nails are done. To me, there's nothing cuter than bright orange nails with a tank top and jeans. It's the cheapest pick me up ever. And it never goes out of style. Of course, your nails should be super short because Dynasty is no longer taking auditions, k?

The English Dept. turns 1!

Hallo! Next weekend, April 28th - 30th, the English Dept. is celebrating its first birthday. We've packed the store with sweet spring merchandise, and loaded the weekend with several special events: a fashion show, a party and a weekend-long sale! We'd love to see you at any and all of the hijinxs. Happy birthday to us!

FRIDAY April 28th
ARCH RIVALS: Elizabeth Dye spring fashion show
7:30 pm, at the English Dept.
724 NW 23rd Ave.
503 224 0724
it's open seating...and open season.

SATURDAY April 29th
late night shopping, drinks and music
6-9 pm

20% OFF STOREWIDE ALL WEEKEND
('cept bridal, dearies)

We hope to see you. Thank you all for a lovely first year.

Spring is busting out all over!

Hi all...just a short one to show you some recent deliveries to The English Dept. Beachy separates from Mint, Parisian picnic frocks from French company April May, and those promised Annelore photos. All pieces modeled by the lovely Sarah. Enjoy. --J&E

Glorious spring, Annelore and more!

At last, Spring! We at the English Dept. spent the winter months sourcing our very favorite hard-to-find lines from New York, Europe, Brazil and beyond, and we're happy to announce some exciting deliveries and debuts:

Annelore. Designer Juliana Cho, the brains and beauty behind Annelore, is the kind of designer that you discover once in a lifetime. Gorgeous tailoring, original fabrics, and vintage-inspired elegance are her trademarks, and you can sense Juliana's hand in every design. Each piece in the collection has the kind of poise and sophistication that you rarely see in American clothing anymore. Although she only sells to a handful of shops nationwide, she was gracious enough to admit us to her petite atelier in Greenwich Village last fall. We're proud to welcome her spring collection to The English Dept., its exclusive home in Portland. In fact, we love it so much that we have a special offer:

Buy one Annelore piece the week of March 13-20th, and receive a 30% discount on any additional item in the store. Come see it. It's truly lovely.

Maria Bonita Extra. We welcome the return of our dearest favorite from fall. The spring collection is loaded with versatile jersey tops, little travel dresses, and cute-but-chic tailored blouses. These styles go quite fast, so we recommend you visit post-haste to see what's on for spring.

Nieves Lavi. Silk jersey dress. Custom print. It's basically the smartest, most indestructible style combination ever.

Development. The house that Philip Lim founded in 2000 is known for wearably modern pieces that gracefully mix masculine and feminine elements. Now led by Erica Davies and Sue Tsai, the spring collection continues Lim's original vision: "Instead of chasing trends that disappear overnight, I want to create beautiful clothes that have staying power." Did we mention their pants fit perfectly?

Bridal by The English Dept. Fashion Show

Finally, photos from The Dept.'s first ever bridal fashion show. The show featured wedding and party dresses by Thread, Jenny Yoo and our own Elizabeth Dye. With most dresses coming in under $500, they're designed to break hearts, not the bank. Our models Carin, Lucy, Amber, Heather and Sarah showed just the right blend of perkiness and rebellion, gliding down our mini-runway to Bjork and AC/DC (in our book, "Back in Black" beats the knickers off the bridal march). Thanks to everyone who attended and everyone who helped out.
Photos by Pete Springer

Admitting You Have a Problem is the First Step

It's time for us to come clean about our magazine habit. Each month, we steal down to the corner newsstand (thank you, Rich's Cigar Store) for our fix...the latest issues of Elle Decoration (UK, if you please), and Living Etc. These rags have a knack for plucking fresh, of-the-moment inspiration from the air (a taupe and turquoise paint scheme! I didn't know I needed it, but suddenly I do!). The editors also know that good design isn't limited by genre. By promiscuously mixing furniture design with fashion and film and architecture and vintage shopping and lighting on their pages, these publications distill the great unruly mess of design into a meaningful catalog of inspiration...

A textbook example of that crack editorial eye, from January's Living Etc.: Vilde Form's teacup tealights. Platonic simplicity, turned upside down (literally). Clever work from Australian designer Louisa Vilde.

Bridal by the English Dept.

We'll go on record as saying that the vast majority of bridal gear is frightful. It's weird how many wedding dresses seem solidly locked into some mid-'80s-New-Romantic-meets-Soviet-figure-skater death grip--bead-encrusted bodice, anyone? How about a Juliet cap? What is a Juliet cap?

So, we're thrilled to announce the launch of Bridal by the English Dept., a collection of dresses for the anti-bride. We've pulled the most likeable and versatile dresses from the collections of Thread and Jenny Yoo, two New York based designers. Both started out as chic, wearable bridesmaid lines, but quickly realized that girls were actually snatching up their dresses for their own weddings. The thing we hear most from brides-to-be is, "I just want something simple!" And really, simple shouldn't be complicated...

We're launching the collection with a fashion show on January 22nd, so watch for photos from the event. Meanwhile, we say HURRAH to these two designers for recognizing that girls with good taste get married, too.

Day One

Here we are, in our first flushed days of owning The English Dept., a clothing, housewares and everything-we-love shop in Portland, Oregon. That's Elizabeth on the left, Joy on the right. We've started this blog with the new year--a promising one, this 2006. We're here to record the daily arc of our little venture, but also because there's just not enough space in our wee boutique to house all the lovely design we discover each day.

Portland's a blessed bastion of creativity, so we find plenty of homegrown inspiration. But we're also avid magazine dog-ear-ers, design dorks, fashion freaks...not to mention relentless Anglophiles. Our shop is called The English Dept. a) because we were both college English majors, but b) because if it's British, twee and adorable, we'll probably go for it. We tend to get breathless over a perfect bisque teacup or a pretty chiffon dress. That said, we do like design with a little muscle, too. Watch this space for weekly enthusiasms...and other 'asms.'