Fashion fanatics pride themselves on finding hidden gems before the masses descend. One of my best-kept secrets is Elizabeth Dye, clothing designer and co-owner of The English Department, a Portland-based boutique. Remember when Fraulein Maria invents an entire wardrobe from curtains in The Sound of Music? Elizabeth’s sweet, playful designs are even more charming.
Reworking simple, vintage-y silhouettes in luxurious fabrics like chiffon, silk, and merino wool, Elizabeth wants to create clothes for all time. She also produces custom bridal gowns so beautiful, I’d get engaged just to buy one. Since producing her first collection in 2001, Elizabeth has been featured in Elle Decor, Lucky, and the holiest of fashion bibles, Vogue. Ultimately, Elizabeth seeks to create an intimate relationship between a woman and the garments she wears. Since our clothes are the closest thing to our bodies, why shouldn’t we have an emotional connection to them?
BM: Describe a typical day in your life.
ED: The light in my studio is best in the morning, so I am an early riser. I always sew first thing. If it’s a day when I’m in my shop, I’m there by 11 a.m. If not, I design and construct dresses most of the day, taking breaks to source fabrics and trims, correspond with clients, photograph new pieces, and hopefully eat lunch. It’s not unusual to work ten to twelve hours a day in the spring and summer. But I try to keep evenings free. Mondays are my set-in-stone day off.
BM: How would you describe your personal style?
ED: I spend so much time in the studio that I have to dress for comfort, but it weirdly works out that I’m pretty much always in layers of ivory and grey. I love vintage pieces, and I try to wear my own designs as much as possible.
BM: When and how was your passion for fashion born?
ED: It was always there—I was a little girl who drew elaborate dresses, and then only halfheartedly sketched in faces and bodies. I didn’t consider fashion as a career at first—I was headed in a literary or legal direction. At some point, I discovered how passionate I was about making things. Creating something beautiful and wearable is, for me, a nice blend of fantasy and practicality.
