Penelope Red

I recently watched Easy Virtue with some girlfriends….

What a fantastic movie! Probably one of the best movies I have seen in a long time. Generally, I enjoy British Comedy movies more than American, they have a unique wit about them, that American movies seem to lack. So Easy Virtue did not dissappoint- it was funny, had a fantastic cast (Colin Firth, Kirsten Scott Thomas, and Jessica Biel), was romantic, great story line, and the clothes… well, I am still talking about them!!!

The hats were fantastic, the dresses so divine, the jackets were gorgeous- everything that Jessica Biel wore was perfect, I wanted to get my sketch book out in the middle of the cinema. There are a few photos attached in this blog:

I recommend this movie to any one who loves old movies, vintage fashion, fashion in general, romantic comedies, and who really enjoys a good, easy to watch, well written movie.

A fellow Etsian, vintageprincipessa has brought to my attention her new blog, http://australianetsy.blogspot.com

Australian Etsy showcases to the world Australian Etsy traders- something that is definately needed! It is a great way to shop local, and she also points out her interesting finds, including a Penelope Red design: the Orange Floral Corset Dress, which is featured on the page, fun finds from handmade detective

The Penelope Red Wrap Around Halter Top was always a big seller at the markets. I guess because it is adjustable, loose, and flattering, while being stylish, elegant and sophisticated, and most importantly versatile!

I first designed the Wrap Around Halter Top when I left TAFE (about 8 years ago). I just made it for myself, and whenever I wore it, I would always receive comments on it. Then my friends started borrowing it all the time, and it was then that I noticed it really did suit all types of body shapes.

When I first started selling at Paddington Markets, the first garment I had ever sold was a Wrap Around Halter Top, in a pink print. After this, it was one of the biggest sellers for me. Women love the fact that you don’t have to have the trimmest waist for it. You can still wear a strapless bra aswell- and I think that is very important for a lot of women.

For me, the Wrap Around Halter Top is a design that I will always be proud of, because despite the fact that I designed the shape 8 years ago, people always comment on them, and it is still a sophisticated, wearable, chic and relevant design for present day fashions. The prints may differ from year to year, but the shape and design remains the same.

I have always wanted “to create beautiful fashion, that will stand the test of time”, I think this design is achieving this year after year!

The photos included here are of the Bohemian Sari Wrap Around Halter Top, and the Penelope Red Pink Rose Wrap Around Halter Top . They are on sale in the Penelope Red Etsy Shop.

On Friday night, I went to see “Guys and Dolls: the Musical”, at the Capitol Theatre, Sydney. My brother, sister and I had grown up with “Guys and Dolls”, the movie, starring Frank Sinatra, Marlon Brando and Jean Simmons. It has always been one of my favourite movies- great songs, costumes, and comedy- and Frank Sinatra’s voice is stunning. We have all easily seen the movie atleast 50 times.

So when we went to see the musical, I had high expectations…..perhaps, a little too high, as I don’t think anyone could match up to Frank Sinatra’s voice.

Gary MacDonald played Nathan Detroit (Sinatra’s character), and what he lacked in voice (which was a lot), he made up for in comedy. While I first thought that perhaps they could’ve chosen a better person to play this character, as my sister said, then everyone would still be comparing them to Frank Sinatra. This way, I guess they wanted the audience to forget about comparing the singing, and more just about the acting.

Marina Prior played Miss Adelaide, exceptionally well. I went there expecting her to play Sara Brown, mainly because of the high note range in the songs that are sung by this character, however Marina made the character of Adelaide her own.

Lisa McCune actually played Sara Brown. I was very surprised by her singing capability- as I had never seen McCune in other musicals (although I know she has been in them before). I really enjoyed her drunken state in Havana- very funny!

Ian Stenlake played Skye Masterson, exceptionally well. Actually I much prefferred him than Marlon Brando’s version of this character. For one, Ian can sing! And its a great voice!

The suprise performance was Shane Jacobson- he played Nicely Nicely Johnson. At the start of the show, I think he had to warm up a little, but then when he sung “Sit Down You’re Rocking The Boat” towards the end, he was fantastic! Who ever thought that Kenny could sing!?!

Overall, to begin with, all I could keep on doing was comparing the musical to the movie- and it was quite annoying, but as the script started to change, the songs started to change, and I got more involved in the musical. I liked it how they deliberately changed sections, they added bits here, they took off there.

By the time they were half way through the first act, I was really enjoying it, and I had stopped comparing. My favourite scene was when Sky and Sara are in Havana, Cuba. Great dancing, costumes, comedy, songs. As well as the “Luck Be A Lady” scene with all the men in the sewer- great dancing! I think Ian Stenlake and Shane Jacobson stole the show really, with Marina coming next.

in the end I really did enjoy it- and it has made me want to watch all of my musical movies again, and start thinking about new designs to create inspired by the costumes!

It was my birthday recently, and I was given a beautiful book, “The Golden Age of Couture“, by some very close friends of mine. It is such a beautiful book. It is based on the exhibition of the same name which is originally from the Victoria and Albert Museum, England, and is now travelling throughout the world.

The detailing in each photo is just stunning! It inspires me to try to become better and better at everything I do. Here are a few photos from the Exhibition, which have also been featured in the book.

Christian Dior Bar Suit

John Cavanagh Evening Dress Fashion Illustration

Jean Desses Chiffon Evening Dress

Although I have not read the whole book yet, one of my favourite quotes is:

“The model he imagines is, first and foremost, a beautiful object, excellently made and finely sewn; so that if, years afterwards, it were discovered at the back of some cupboard, although the fashion which inspired it has long gone out of date, it would still inspire astonishment.” - CELIA BERTIN.

This is what I hope to achieve with my designs…. I hope as my designs become better and better, each customer will want to treasure their Penelope Red designs, and in many years to come, they can show the next generation of stylish women how fashionable they were!!

Perhaps my favourite photos in the book, are the ones that show exquisite embroidery or unbelievable detailing. I have always been a fan of designs that impact, that make someone think: Wow!

Living near the beach, Penelope Red designs tend to be inspired by the culture and scene of Sydney Eastern Suburbs Beaches, and Bondi Beach in particular.

The Penelope Red Coral Kimono was designed for wearing to the beach over the top of your swimmers, and then you can wear it straight afterwards to the local club or bar to meet with your friends, and still look elegant, and sexy.

I visited the NSW Art Gallery Exhibition of “Taischo Chic”, where they had beautiful kimonos, in all sorts of colours and prints. When I saw this print, I knew I had to have it. The bright oranges and pinks, contrast so well with the black and lime green.

It has been made to be a loose fit, and one size fits all. The waist line is straight up and down, until you wrap the tie around your body- then you can make it as tight or as loose as you like.

I think the Coral Kimono is a great alternative to a sarong for the beach. Whenever I wore a sarong, I use to feel like I was tying it up all the time, and it was forever falling off. This Kimono still helps to protect you from sun damage, and I find once you have tied it properly, there is no need for adjusting.

To wear it out at night, wear it with a great mini skirt and heels, and a few select chunky jewellery pieces. You could wear it with a pair of skinny jeans or black pants, your favourite heels, and in the colder months wear a 3/4 sleeve top underneath, and no one else would know the difference!

A very versatile, easy to wear Penelope Red style. There will be more colour ways/prints in this style to come!

Each time I visit Etsy, the home page features a group of sellers. In this group I usually find at least one new seller I mark as a favourite.

daphnenen creates hand made bags. They come in all sorts of beautiful prints and colours, and Daphne has listed 93 items for sale in her Etsy store at the time of this blog entry.

I love bright colours and bold prints, so her choices of these, I think, is what draws me to her bags.

Pictured below is a small selection of some of daphnenen bags.

This Penelope Red Victorian Pink Corset would have to be my most favourite corset I have ever made! It is a mix of gorgeous textures and pastel colours to create something really decadent and unique.

On my Etsy store, there is pictured a copy of the corset, in an Australian size 10 C-D. If anyone would like one in their size, they should just send an email to: designer@penelopered.com.au

I wore my copy of Victorian Pink Corset to the Filmink Awards.

It is made using a beautiful cream woven jacquard, then I crazy patch-worked together different pieces of cream, beige, pink, and apricot fabrics to create the beautiful contrast that is placed on the side panels of the corset.

Vintage pink lace was placed over the panel seam lines to define the side panels, then a lovely pink frill was placed around the neckline.

The nature of the crazy patchwork means that each and every corset will be slightly different, as the patchwork is done in a random fashion.

Sizing, price, care, and other details can be found at the Penelope Red Etsy shop.

A few weekends ago, I had the opportunity to work with some lovely people to produce some fantastic photos, which have now been added to the Penelope Red website.

The photographer involved was Milena Dekic
I Love Wednesdays
milena@ilovewednesdays.com
(02) 8005 7711
0416 228 421

I was so happy with the shoot- the photos turned out so well! Milena is a very talented photographer, and her ideas were great. The backdrop and location was chosen by her, and it was fantastic and very versatile.

A sample of few of her photos are below:

You can see more of I Love Wednesdays photos here

This new Penelope Red design is eye catching, and flattering. Wear it with a cute pair of heels, and your favourite black or white top. Perfect for the office, and then for going out afterwards.

This skirt was inspired by costumes from an old Fred Astaire, Bing Crosby and Joan Caulfield movie, named “Blue Skies”. Joan Caulfield’s costumes were amazing!

I had saved this vintage Mint fabric from a stash that my Aunt Gloria had. It came to me amongst other fabrics that looked like they were from the 70’s, so I am presuming that is when this fabric was made too.

As it is made from a vintage piece of fabric, it is the only one of its kind. Its unfortunate, as I love it, and I would have liked to have made more.

I love playing with various textures, no matter if they are subtle or loud. I wanted to continue the black on black textured theme, like I have done in the Black on Black Bustier, pictured with the skirt in the above photos, so I used the same Victoriana Textured Black fabric, as well as placing a beautiful black lace to one side of the skirt.

I love this skirt, and I am so tempted to keep it for myself, but I would be just as happy if some one truly loves it themselves!

You can buy this skirt from my Etsy shop.

Photos of skirt on Model:
Photography by: Milena Dekic
milena@ilovewednesdays.com

Makeup by: Nat Biller
natbiller@hotmail.com

Model: Amy Lyn Cage