Studio tour.

Kate Maxwell paid a visit to The English Dept. and my design studio, and took some very nice photos. Thanks, Kate! More here.

Thanks...

...for all your supportive comments re: BHLDN and their well-known "design" practices. As a former law student, I do know that there's very little legal protection for clothing designers. I've studied the arguments on both sides regarding whether fashion design deserves such protection, and there's merit to both arguments (although I'm sure you can guess where I stand). I don't usually get in a lather over copying incidents--designers (like all creative people) draw inspiration from many sources, and that inspiration flows in all directions. What bothers me is a very studied practice of ripping off smaller designers' work as a business model. Consumers need to know that Anthro's cute "designs" come straight from uncredited, uncompensated sources. That's how they roll.

Besides being unethical and exploitive, it's just so boring! Way to take the creativity out of fashion. So I did that post. For that reason, and to show solidarity with my good friend Myra, who is wearing herself out trying to protect her work.

Luckily, we small designers have what big companies can never fake, no matter how they try--the urge to create for its own sake, the honest joy of new ideas.

Just saying.

Left: Elizabeth Dye 2010.

Right: BHLDN 2011.

Photos from Finishing School 2011

 

 Thanks to everyone who came out on Sunday for Finishing School, our annual do-it-yourself event for making bridal hair accessories and dress embellishments.

Look at the concentration on these ladies' faces!

 

My project: a metallic lace shrug with hundreds of lace "petals" hand-stitched around the neckline. I finally finished it--that's why we call it Finishing School.

 Truly impressed by the artistry on display. Nice work, class of 2011!

 Photos: Lauren Sornberger, Rebecca Westby

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!

A paper bride.

 I've just learned about the work of Jum Nakao.

 The Brazilian artist makes these intricate gowns entirely out of paper.

 At the end of one of his runway shows, his models were instructed to tear up the dresses on their bodies, to remind the audience that fashion is a medium and not an end in itself.

 I've always thought of the wedding dress as a performance, a moment, as much as it can also be a garment for all time. So what about it, ladies? Anyone up for a paper wedding dress?

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.