Mini-mission accomplished...

Finally! With rain pelting the windows, it may not be the best day to wear this sweet dress, but I can't wait to take it out for a spin (layered over sleeves and stockings, + boots + scarf + etc., to be sure). I was inspired by this dress (alas! sold out) and decided to make my own version. Thanks, Jenny!

Fall fabrics...

I've been so busy with brides 'round the English Dept. that I haven't yet had a chance to plunge into my fall fabrics. I'm snapping this photo to inspire and remind me to get cracking! I'm feeling a wistful, Edwardian thing this fall...shades of sepia and old rose, monochrome prints, classic plaids. From top: vintage Pendleton plaid wool, black and gold silk gazar, and two New York finds: rose scallop print cotton, gold dot gauze.

I love this dress!

This one is a favorite of mine. For Heather's dress, I redesigned her mom's (lovingly handmade) wedding gown, which originally had a high necked lace bodice, long lace sleeves, and a straight, fitted skirt made from silk pebble crepe. The neckline became a scoop front and back. I found some matching ivory silk crepe to remake the bodice underlayer. I dismantled the lace sleeves and cut apart the lace flowers to scatter across a new sheer skirt layer (organza, gathered and full). The finishing touch--an ivory silk charmeuse sash informally knotted in the front. Heather was a good sport and did a little mini photo shoot with me in front of the beautiful doors of the First Presbyterian Church. It's steps from the shop--I walk by it every single day!--but I only recently noticed how lovely it is. At the last minute a stiff autumn breeze kicked up, so I also snapped a shot of the dress caught up in the gale. Love, love, love.

Me + NYC

I'm boarding a plane tonight for the New York Bridal Market. Three days of dresses, dresses, dresses! In my off hours I'll be scouring the town for lovely new fabrics and supplies (Mood Fabrics, here I come--with my epic, annotated and heavily underlined shopping list). Whee!

What's Mine is Yours.

We just got our fall delivery from Mine, the work of London designer Katherine Pont. We love to have UK designers in our shop--we are The English Dept., after all. Katherine's collection of bookish, darkly feminine dresses and tops suits the autumn mood so beautifully. I am swooning. See her whole collection here.

October wedding...

Woodsmoke, cider, tucking in the garden for winter...sweet, melancholy October. Thanks to Kathryn over at Snippet & Ink for including my gold dress in this wistfully beautiful wedding inspiration board. I am feeling the seasonal shift, too, and was inspired to make this dress corsage based on the October mood:Satin-wrapped berries and petals, velvet leaves, pearls, gold tulle, antique key.

Done!

I've been working for weeks on a do-it-yourself design project for an upcoming fashion craft book. This project's an old favorite of mine--turning an outdated, overdone wedding dress into a cocktail frock with just enough fancy.
The original gown came courtesy of ebay, and dutifully submitted to the shears. I pared away a lot of the froth (neckline, sleeves), turned the sleeves into a waistband, shortened the skirt, and added a chiffon overlayer for some fun and float. I'm in love with this honey-caramel-ochre color right now, and the dress took a few dips in the dye bath to get it just right. Now the dress travels to Texas for its inclusion in the book. Safe travels, Honey.

Fall Trunk Show!

at
The English Dept.
1124 SW Alder Street
Friday, September 12th
3 pm to 8 pm

I'm so excited to be collaborating with jewelry designer Hazel Cox for this event. We're hosting an open house to showcase our new work for the autumn season, including a few one-of-a-kind pieces. If you're not familiar with Hazel's work, take my word for it--it's fantastic. Or don't take my word for it...see you on the 12th!