Elizabeth Dye and Duchess Clothier Open San Francisco Showroom
As a longtime wedding dress designer, Elizabeth Dye found she was often dressing the same couples as menswear designer Duchess Clothier. This month, they decided to make it formal with the opening of their new showroom in the heart of San Francisco’s Mission District.
“I have been talking informally with Duchess about collaborating for years,” Dye said. “We end up dressing a lot of the same weddings – we seem to attract the same couples!”
As the founder of The English Dept. – a Portland boutique that features her handmade dresses and bridalwear along with designs by Jenny Yoo, Ivy Aster and Nicole Miller – Dye has attracted many Bay Area clients throughout the years.
“When it came time to expand my business, San Francisco was a natural choice. I already have a Bay Area clientele, and Portland is just a little too far for some of my customers to travel,” she said. “San Francisco is such an inspiring city, and I’m excited to be bringing my work here.”
Dye first opened her Portland store to provide an alternative to “poofy princess gowns” and formal bridal salons.
Duchess Clothier, which is also located in Portland, focuses on stylish vintage-inspired suits for men. Started by Seyta Selter in 2005, the shop has created custom-made “dapper” menswear for many of the grooms to Dye’s brides, so it seemed an ideal fit for a partnership.
Their new San Francisco showroom is located at 22nd and Folsom and features an upstairs studio for Dye to create new pieces and design her next collections.
She said she’s hoping for a “his ’n’ hers” synergy that “encourages couples looking for finery to come visit us together – ladies upstairs, gents downstairs.”
Duchess and Elizabeth Dye
2590 Folsom Street (@ 22nd)
San Francisco, CA 94110
Duchess Clothier Portland
2505 SE 11th Ave, Suite 102
Portland, OR 97202
The English Department
1128 SW Alder Street
Portland, OR 97205
