Kloset Obsession

We're so happy to welcome Kloset Red Carpet to The English Dept. (all the way from Thailand!). This exquisite collection features beautiful detail (embroidery, applique, careful hand-beading) and a romantic palette full of rich creams, bronzes and greys. Come check it out!


**We also have expanded our sale section as we prepare our wee shop for the holidays. Dozens of lovely fall pieces at generous discounts.**

Eley Kishimoto at The English Dept.!

After all that talk, the goods have finally arrived. Eley Kishimoto, the London based design team, has shipped some of fall’s finest to The English Dept. We love the Fairisle sweaters with a Japanese twist in mustard yellow and in cobalt blue. And their current obsession with the night sky seems to be paying off. The silk Galaxy print blouse is just the right combination of polite and eccentric. And if you’re still pining away for that little fall jacket to ease the transition to cooler days, perhaps you might like EK’s pert little mustard number. Please stop by and check out the rest of the collection (there’s even socks!)

Ah, Perfection!

What you can't tell from this picture is that the lovely Julie Shapiro and her (helpful, patient) mom Scrantz were in a bridal style whirlwind the week before the wedding. Did the tint of the shoes match the dress (not quite)? How to tie the sash so the bow sits pretty (practice, practice, practice)? A few spoonfuls of tea dye and some deep breaths later, and Julie (in her Jenny Yoo dress) was ready to glide down the aisle. Thanks, Shapiro girls, for sharing your wedding images with us.

English Dept. in Elle Decor

Did we mention we were praised in Elle Decor's recent travel piece on Portland (there's even a wee interview with Elizabeth)? Find us in the June 2007 issue. While it may be true that we've given more love on these pages to the UK version of the magazine, we're still slavishly grateful for the stateside attention. Thanks, E.D. from The E.D.

Ink & Peat

The talented Pam of Ink & Peat has started showcasing her inspired floral arrangements at The English Dept. If you're a bride in search of modern, unfussy flowers, consider this talented artist. In addition to designing the arrangements for the Street of Eames modern homes tour, she writes a great design blog.

Filles de Fleur

Our new shop is half a block from the First Presbyterian Church (which sees a lot of summer weddings), and half a block from the historic Governor Hotel (likewise). Between the two, we see a lot of wedding parties and well-wishers on their way to and from the festivities. Over the weekend, I caught a glimpse of this little sprite twirling in front of The English Dept.

BRIDAL SAMPLE SALE!

For the month of August, ALL bridal samples will be on sale--from 10% to up to 70% off! If you know a bride (or wedding guest) in a pinch, send her here--we have dozens of lovely dresses available in standard sample sizes (mostly 6, 8, 10, and 12). Our expert alteration resources can get any bride-in-a-hurry into the dress of her dreams. The sale includes our brand new Vera Wang delivery, some of the most stunning styles we've seen in ages. We only do this once a year--don't miss out!

New for fall...

Elizabeth Dye brocade kimono sleeve shift

First Glimpse of Fall

We've received the first of our fall merchandise, several pieces from Development and Plenty by Tracy Reese.


We're loving Plenty's easy, chic minidresses, and Development makes a knockout pair of wool trousers to go with this amazing openwork top...

We've Moved!

Hello everyone,
At last, we've settled into our lovely new location. Come see us at 1124 SW Alder Street. We're open Monday through Saturday.

My, what a busy month!

It's been a maelstrom here at The English Dept., with tons of new deliveries, special guests, and the usual springtime bridal bustle. I spent the last two weeks in London and will be putting up highlights from my trip later this week, but first, let's get caught up on March's magic moments:

Supayana Trunk Show
Thanks to everyone who came out to meet and support this oh-so-talented designer. Supayana designer Yana Gorbulsky visited us from Brooklyn and brought about 30 of her adorable, one of a kind tops and dresses. She left with considerably fewer!

Spring Telegram

Cheers, everyone...
A quick flash of new spring deliveries here at The English Dept: dresses from Development in daffodil, dove grey and blush pink. Beautiful spring pieces from Mint, including a bombshell of a silver cocktail dress. Boatloads of adorable nautical jumpers, tops and red skimmer flats from Built by Wendy...more as new finery arrives!

It seems like only yesterday we were pulling up our woolly tights and
buttoning our collars high. But there's surely a change in the air.
Maybe it's the little purple iris in the flower box outside the shop,
or that we're returning to our cars in twilight at the end of the day,
instead of winter darkness. Whatever it is, we're feeling happy and
renewed!

Twinkle has fluttered in: a beautiful palette of gauzy lavender and
white, and a fantastically cheerful confetti printed cotton and silk
dress. New knitwear from Falls, a collection from Leong Ong (a talented
New York designer who studied at London's Central St. Martin School of
Art). He brings a sense of humor and practicality to every piece in his
collection. Who better to compose lovely cashmere pieces with the
right combination of warmth and flow? Look for his eponymous line,
Ong, later this spring here at The English Dept.

Clockwise from left: Twinkle "Friday Night Mixer" dress, Twinkle "Match
Point" top, Falls cashmere camisole, Falls chain stitch cashmere
boatneck, Twinkle "Church on Sunday" coat, Elizabeth Dye silk/hemp
"Paper Kite" dress (front and back).

Just like those little irises (seriously, we saw them!), these
collections are only a tiny glimpse of what we can expect to see this
spring. Next up are sophisticated dresses from Maria Bonita Extra,
lemon and biscuit tinted frocks from Development, some special
selections from Mint (linen-y, metallic jackets, breezy tunics), and a
large parcel from one of our favorites this season (and every season),
Built By Wendy.


Just a little more business (we think you'll like this):
Major sale on all 2006 merchandise. Prices from $25-$100. The best
bits are going fast. Very fast.

"A Novel Romance" Bridal Fashion Show next weekend

Many apologies for my absence from the blog. We got carried away by the holidays, and have spent the last several weeks sweeping up the confetti and candy wrappers and putting our little shop to rights. Out with the "Bittersweet Chocolate" paint, in with the palest, prettiest, most optimistic pink. We have reason to feel optimistic, because January is bridal season at The English Dept. We have *lots* of new dresses by Thread and Jenny Yoo. We're also excited to be introducing Vera Wang Maids this year.

Please consider yourself invited to our 2007 Bridal Fashion Show, hosted by 23Hoyt.

"A Novel Romance"
The English Dept. 2007 Bridal Collection Preview & Fashion Show
Sunday January 28th
12 pm
23Hoyt, 529 NW 23rd Avenue