Lena
the premier issue
AUTHENTIC DRESSES l o v e d
b y
i n d e p e n d e n t
l a d i e s
We love a fresh start Let’s start a new season or a new life wearing our
luxe silk. Within these pages we’d like to introduce you to our boutique makeover as well some of our
favorite peopLe. We invite you to join the Lena Medoyeff family of independent and beautiful women.
Let’s dress up
Lena Medoyeff Studio is designed and manufactured in Portland, Oregon. Designer Lynn Medoff sources her fabrics from India crafted by a family owned factory she has had a relationship with for over 16 years. Lena is much loved by her Portland clients for her simple, naturally beautiful dresses that appeal to the independent woman.
Contents 3 Lately
What’s new at the shop
6
Profile
Barbara Connelly Bruch
10
Weddings
rogue valley Chic
14
The Works
team Lena
16
Shop Local Creative Direction
portland is the New paris
Barbara Connelly Bruch
barbbruchdesign@comcast.net
Cover photo: By Mary Gowen of bride Kayley oka wearing custom lace Lena. http://marygowen.com
Lately
Makeovers. We love them of course!
We thought it was time for an update. the shop is happily dressed in her new color palette of pink and grey and GLitter! our mix of ikat and striped wallpaper NeW LiGHtiNG will flatter us all. one more reason to visit. You are always welcome!
Interior and graphic designer: Barbara Connelly Bruch Lena Medoyeff Shop Owner and Designer: Lynn Medoff proudly admiring the remodel from across the street before heading to Jo Bar for that celebratory glass of bubbles.
Profile Name: Barbara Connelly Bruch Working Life: Designer and Blogger Home Towns: Chicago & evanston, illinois Via: Stockholm, Sweden, amsterdam, Maine Current Home: NW portland & Mosier oregon Star sign: Capricorn My Look: Despite my casual lifestyle as a work from home designer i love to dress “somewhat fancy.” i have a partY DreSS obsession. Not particularly a party animal per se i (and with the occasional role of the eye my husband Bruce)— adopted dressing for dinner, dressing for shopping, dressing for lunch, dressing for a Sunday walk, and voila we are practically french. for me, Lena provides party and bridal (see vow renewal on back cover) and so much more...best tops ever paired with jeans and boots. Shopping habits: Simple, walking distance. that includes the internet (love Net-a-porter) and our local high street NW 23rd avenue. i went out for bagels recently and picked up a long flowy frock at Lena to wear to my nephew’s wedding in estes park in September. Good thing i did as the fabric is no longer available! What I’m wearing : prada Sunglasses Lena Medoyeff Bird print penelope top Souchi Headwrap Current elliott Destroyed Boyfriend Jeans K Jacques Zebra Sandals below: thierry Lasry Sunglasses Lena Medoyeff Zara Dress Zeldas Leopard Booties
client profile
6
what i’m wearing: prada Sunglasses Lena Medoyeff Sunshine Honey top Charmeuse K + M Belt raspberry elsa Midi Skirt Below; Marcia Lacher Hat (etsy) Lena Medoyeff Jasmine Dress in Black Beaded Shoes from Halo Below right; Lena Medoyeff Blush penelope Dress pedal pink Chiffon t pedal pink Sash Canfora Capri Sandals Claire vivier Cow Hide foldover Clutch
What I’m wearing: thierry Lasry Sunglassses Midnight Blue Dupioni Sol Dress K + M Belt Canfora Capri Sandals far right: Navy penelope top ice Blue Sash Bronze elsa Midi Skirt Hide Black Booties from Zeldas right; Lena Medoyeff turquoise farrah Dress Canfora Sandals Below right; prada Sunglasses Lena Medoyeff Cobalt audrey Dress Spelta Milano Ballerinas
Rogue ValleyOregon
Rouge Valley Country Club Wedding of Kelley and Matt Smith one day i stopped into Lena with a friend, not even planning to try on dresses. However, once i saw the gorgeous silk dresses i couldn't help but try on a few. i asked andrea to pick some dresses that she thought would work best on my figure. i tried on 3 dresses and knew right away that the third dress (the Christine) was it. it was the easiest decision i had to make during the entire wedding planning process. No need to visit other bridal boutiques. Lena was the only dress shop i went to. i loved wearing a dress that was made in portland and designed by a local designer. even better, the dress was the most comfortable dress i have ever worn. i was comfortable sitting, dancing and even running through the rain as we were suddenly caught in a downpour.
weddings
11
Kelley Smith chose to reflect the natural colors of fall with dark espresso brown and pops of pink in hues of blush and pale coral. Lena’s signature sashes allow brides to create any color palette their hearts desire.
Designer Lynn Medoff Carefully avoiding centerstage, Lynn is a multitasking force to make all women in business proud. Designing stunning apparel, pattern cutting, sourcing fabric and supervising production while running her shop keep her quite busy. Yet her main priority is being a great mom to Lola and nurturing her family and community. Her style is subtle and perceptive. When she says something she means it and when she designs a piece of apparel she loves it and can‘t wait to wear it! Lastly if you have ever had her tie one of the Lena signature sashes around your waist into a snug bow you feel like the most nurtured girl in the world! Why did you decide to start your own business? the short answer is that there wasn’t a specific moment in time when i made a decision to start my own business. it happened out of necessity in order for me to get what i want out of my career — which is creativity, flexibility, being my own boss. i aspired to be a responsible designer, responsible to the people who work with me, produce our clothes, create our fabrics...the end result being a customer who feels beautiful both inside and out!
the works
14
Shop Local for reasons that elude many of us, parisians often seem to make impeccable fashion sense look effortless. Whether their look is haute couture or the more affordable prêt-á-porter, parisian citizens even on a limited budget appear to have a sixth sense in nonpareil presentation. Habitués of paris revere haute cuisine, as well, and few pursuits, if any, supplant fashionable apparel and fine dining in the City of Light. Yet portland offers a different and vibrant parallel universe in the worlds of fashion and cuisine. portlandians arrive with panache and style and eat well. When we dine we insist on excellence. from Mio Sushi to Bamboo Sushi, papa Hadyn or Jo Bar our Nob Hill neighborhood offers excellent choices. in a city built upon fortunes of lumber, our tall tree’s fashion sensibilities is certainly a trademark pacific Northwest look. We are typically more about dressing down than dressing up, but either has its occasions in our eclectic and increasingly sophisticated town. (What could be more on trend in portland or paris than a denim shirt and silk skirt or torn jeans and silk top.) encouraging sustainable apparel or any small business launches remains the goal of our portland. take in the fashion dispensers along NW 23rd avenue and you’ll find everything from Lena Medoyeff for silk dresses, tops and bridal to Will Leather Goods. pop into Blush Beauty Bar for that perfect red Lip and finally add a few pretty pieces for underneath at oh Baby intimates. portland offers a contemporary cornucopia of apparel and accessories encouraging the citizenry of the City of roses to shop local. See you at Saint Jack for bistro night and please “Dress for Dinner.” portland is the New paris. shop local
16
We Love
Bull run Distillery
because Lee is Lynn’s brother who is also keen for us to shop local
We Love
Dazzle
because faviana sells fun accessories and gives Birdie Dog treats
We Love
Zelda’s Shoe Bar because shoes are outfit making
We Love
oh, Baby intimates because Laura treats our brides to the perfect fit for our dresses
We Love
Mio Sushi
beause it’s the perfect healthy lunch for the shop girls
We Love
K + M Leather because they add an edge to Lena Silks
We Love
Jo Bar
because many bridal dress purchases have been toasted there
We Love
Mint and Mirth because they take cocktails to an artform
We Love
pistils & Stamen because it’s a flower shop in a converted vintage trailer
We Love
Souchi
because cashmere feels so good with our silk dresses
We Love
papa Haydn
because nothing is better than a great wedding cake
We Love
Salt and Straw because ice cream makes everything better
We Love
Blush Beauty Bar
because a visit will make your wedding day or everyday special
The High Street n w 2 3 r d av e n u e p o r t l a n d o r e g o n Shops w e lov e
Zeldas Shoes* paper Source escape from NY pizza* rich’s Newsstand* Dazzle* Kiehl Lush Blush Beauty Bar* Mac Cosmetics Lucky Jeans Levi’s Gilt Jewelry* oh Baby intimates* Mio Sushi* Bamboo Sushi* Salt and Straw ice Cream* 3 Monkeys* Barista Coffee* Starbucks Nail atelier* red onion thai* papa Haydn* Jo Bar* pizzicato* Kitchen Kaboodle* Will Leather Goods* Goorin Haberdashery Little Big Burger* Saint Cupcake* Blue Star Donuts* 23 Hoyt restaurant* restoration Hardware pottery Barn *Local Businesses
come visit web
www.lenadress.com
tumblr
http://lenamedoyeffstudio.tumblr.com
address
710 NW 23rd ave portland, oregon
telephone
(503) 227-0011
contact
e-mail: store@lenadress.com
Long penelope with Sleeve. Abby and Lola are wearing Sierra with Bird print Sash Barb is wearing Custom Cotton Lace elsa with penelope top Lynn is wearing Bird print Justine
Lena Medoyeff Studio 710 NW 23rd avenue portland, oregon 97210
photo: JD Spencer
Megan is wearing