Featured design: The Red, White & Black Stripe Ingrid Top

I wanted to create a mini-range of designs to be more tran-seasonal, as the online shop caters for both North and Southern Hemispheres. This range will be called, "Modern Vintage", and the styles included will be exactly that... taking vintage silhouettes and ideas, and making them modern!

So announcing the first style to be included in this mini-range... The Red, White & Black Stripe Ingrid Top.



As soon as I saw this print, I imagined this style! I love that it is such a graphic print, full of character, and it has that "Cruise/Retro" feel to it.


The top features a boat neck at the front, a v-neck t the back- which can still be worn with a bra; a tulip overlapped sleeve; and it has been handmade from a polyester/elastane print.


I love it tucked in with a high waisted pair of pants or a skirt, but it would look equally as good with a pair of jeans!

You can buy this design and many other Penelope Red designs in the etsy online shop.

Win a Penelope Red Top! A Competition!

Introducing an exciting competition to start off 2011!

I decided to hold this competition because as I was creating the latest Autumn 2011 competition, I started to question what I should name it... and I couldn't think of anything!

Since I have a network of Penelope Red supporters, and I had been thinking of holding a competition for a while, I thought this was the perfect opportunity!

I need help naming the new Autumn Collection, and in return, the winner will be given ONE of the following new Penelope Red tops:



The Black and White Zebra Alexander Blouse (above) or the Adele Multi-coloured Halter Top (below- and it was featured in the blog posting before this one).



Details of the Competition:
Aim: To name the new Penelope Red Autumn Collection for 2011.

Hints: Keep in mind the theme of it being a Gustav Klimt and Egyptian Costume inspired range. I also like to try to have either "Penelope" or "Red" included in the name. To keep the website with the same theme, the name should be something like: "The ......Collection"

I am also planning the photo shoot to be taken in a dinner party setting... so lots of ideas, and I am hoping someone will come up with a great name!

Win: The Winner will be able to choose one of the designs pictured above, The Adele Halter Top or the Alexander Blouse.

Rules: The winner will be judged entirely on the name for the range they choose. You can enter as many times as you want until a name is chosen from the entries by myself.

You must be on the mailing list or a Penelope Red facebook follower to enter into the competition.


To Enter the Competition: just send your nominated range name to designer@penelopered.com.au or comment on the Penelope Red facebook page here.

Once I have picked a winning range name, I will contact the winner via email to confirm thier postal address and size, etc. Postal fees (excluding customs if going Overseas) will be paid by Penelope Red.

Competition closes 20th March 2011

I wish everyone the best of luck in the competition!

More Customer Photos!

I am very lucky that I have wonderful customers who return and tell me how much they love their Penelope Red purchases, and quite often they are wearing my design when I see them!

Every person wears Penelope Red in their own individual way, and it is a great way to show others what can be done with my designs.

Also, I love knowing that my designs have gone to a good home, and people are actually wearing them, rather than having them insulate their wardrobe!



Above, Sharna wears the Cosmopolitan Red Bow Tie Pants and Aqua Paisley Blouse.




In the image above and below, I wear the Vesper Kimono and Leanne wears the Black and White Nouveau Blouse.

The Alexander Black and White Zebra Blouse

The Alexander Black and White Zebra Chiffon Blouse is one of my very latest designs. Pictured with the Cosmopolitan Blue Bow Tie Pants, it is such a versatile, easy and flattering style to wear.



I have always been a huge fan of animal prints, and while this is not exactly an animal print, it is easy to see where the textile designer got their inspiration from.

The actual fabric itself is a chiffon yoryu- this means the chiffon is crinkled and has a more tactile finish.



This blouse has been handmade and finished off with gathering and a little blue rik-rak braid at the neck. It is a sleeveless top, but you can easily wear it with a skivvy on those cooler nights.



You can buy the Alexander Black and White Zebra Printed Blouse online in the Penelope Red etsy shop.



Take a look at my other Penelope Red designs here:

The Penelope Red Stripe Bow Top: More happy customers!

It is such a good feeling when my customers return to me, wanting to see more Penelope Red designs! It means that they truly love my designs, and that they are happy with their purchases. So it is really exciting when my customers come back to visit my Penelope Red market boutique, and they are actually wearing my designs!!! It makes my day because I know that they have put their faith in my designs, and there is nothing worse than thinking that people are not wearing them and they are just sitting in their wardrobes feeling unloved.

So, the above photo shows Lorelle (RHS) wearing my Red and White Stripe Bow Top. Lorelle visited my market boutique a while ago, then returned wearing the Red and White Stripe Bow Top, and I couldn't have been prouder! It's great to see how other people decide to wear it and accessorize my creations, and like I said, great to know that it is being truly loved by Lorelle!

Also, it is a great feeling when people refer me to others- it also means that they are very happy with what I have done so far. Lorelle brought her sister, Leanne to visit me that day, and it is such a thrill to know that my designs are loved now by a family!



I have now added black and white version, to the Penelope Red etsy shop online. The Black and White Stripe Bow Top is the same exact style, just in different colours. It is available in US sizes 4 to 10 or AU sizes 8 to 14.

This is what some one else said about their Red and White Stripe Bow Top, who bought it on etsy:

"Gorgeous top, very elegant & great buy !!!" from DD

The Red and White Stripe Bow Top has also reached the front page on etsy:



I only have a US size 4 or AU size 8 left of the Red and White Stripe Bow top, so if you like this design, but need another size, perhaps think about it in the black- still very striking and very original!

The Penelope Red Black and White Printed Bowtie Top

I thought I would highlight the Penelope Red Black and White Printed Bow Tie Top today.
I like this top because you can just as easily wear it with your favourite pair of jeans, as well as a nice pair of pants or skirt. It can be casual top to wear while shopping, and then it can be transformed into a top to wear to dinner or another sophisticated occasion!






The back of the top (above).

The front of the top (above)





The Penelope Red Black and White Printed Bow Tie Top is available in US sizes 4-10 (or AU sizes 8-14). It is only $70USD. Customers in Australia: please email me at designer@penelopered.com.au for the current equivalent in AUD.



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