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.

Ivy & Aster trunk show this weekend!

This weekend only, we have some beautiful visitors . . . dresses from Ivy & Aster's new collection! Come see (they're only here until Tuesday) . . . more photos to come!

Check us out!

Love the new shop. Love the extra space, love the whitewashed pine Swedish cabin fantasy floor, love having places for ladies to sit, love the light. Love, love, love!

Are you going to Finishing School?

 Join us at The English Dept. for Finishing School 2011
Sunday, May 15th
12-4 pm

Create one-of-a-kind accents to complete your wedding ensemble: headbands, flower combs, fascinators, sashes, silk flower corsages and gown embellishments. We will supply materials, assistance and inspiration for this hands-on workshop. The event is $25 to attend. Your admission fee is good for credit toward materials for whatever you create! Call The English Dept. with questions or to rsvp.
For a glimpse of last year's event, click here.

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!

The English Dept. gets its picture taken.

Photographer Leah Verwey takes bewitching photos of creative work spaces around Portland for her beautiful site, Spacepdx. I have had a crush on Spacepdx for quite a while, and the universe must have heard my secret plea, because Leah and her camera came to visit us recently. For a glimpse into our daily workings, go here.

Princess and the (Sweet) Pea.

 

New at The English Dept.: the Sweet Pea gown from Ivy & Aster. Softly pleated flocked dot silk chiffon, draped bodice, just enough train to give the dress a regal bearing. Truly stunning.

Our love is big as a barn.

I love these photos Ben Blood shot of Jenny and Kevin's wedding on a historic farm in Southwest Washington. Jenny wore a silk chiffon gown from Jenny Yoo and a Modern Romance headpiece, all from The English Dept.

Yes, his boutonniere is a kite. A kite! I love it. And the tie.

Like I said, barn-size. You can see more photos of their celebration here.

The English Dept. voted one of Lucky Magazine's "Best Bridal Shops"

 

We're thrilled to have made this list!  That fetching pink frock is our "Love and Tenderness" dress from Ivy & Aster, in Cherry Blossom. Here's what Lucky has to say about us:

The before picture.

If you've walked past The English Dept.'s windows and wondered what's up, we're devoting our weekend to a bit of a shop remodel. Please pardon our appearance while we update our wee space for the coming season. We reopen Tuesday!

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.

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 2011. More to come!

Behind the music.

I spent yesterday (one of the last sunny days of the season, I fear) shooting our first-ever English Dept. bridal fashion editorial. Magical (secret!) location, glorious golden light, and a top-notch team--everything came together so beautifully. Many thanks to Brandon, Rebecca, Amy and Thalia (our fearless model)! Can't wait to show the photos...

Now hiring.

 Photo: Cecil Beaton, 1948.

Part Time Retail Sales...plus a whole lot more.

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. This is decidedly not a stuffy bridal salon. Our ideal English Dept. 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 let us know! Forward a resume to info@theenglishdept.com, including your desired hours and availability.

SEPTEMBER SAMPLE SALE

Through September 30th we are discounting nearly all of our 2010 dress samples to make room for the 2011 styles. The deals on wedding, bridesmaid and party dresses range from the pretty sweet (10% off) to the truly great (up to 75% off). Sizes run from 2 to 12, and there are loads of lovely styles and fabrics to choose from. Sales of these dresses are on a first-come-first-served basis, and applies to samples only. If you've had your eye on a particular dress and are wondering if the sample is on sale, just call the shop. Or better yet, come have a look!

We had a party.

There were lots of fun supplies to play with.

 We were inspired by each other.

And we made some lovely things!

Thanks to everyone who came out on a very rainy Sunday for Finishing School. It was such a pleasure to meet all of you and get crafty together!

Off to the races!

It's Kentucky Derby Day! And since every well-turned out lady simply must wear something on her head at the races, I thought I'd mention that we have many gorgeous new Twigs & Honey headpieces, headbands and hairpins at The English Dept. Myra's pieces are completely exquisite and we're so lucky to have them. They're too lovely to stay here long, though! The best pieces will go to the fleet of foot...

Think pink.

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

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.

The English Dept. on TV!

Myra over at Twigs & Honey just let me know that "our" television commercial is now making the rounds. We were honored to be chosen for one of a cluster of TV spots featuring unique downtown Portland businesses. We're featured in the "Shopping" segment. All of the ads are so, so witty and stylish. Cheers to Food Chain Films and the Downtown Marketing Initiative for showing our familiar little city in such a fresh, fond light. Go here to view our ad and here to watch them all.