The Martini Bright Stripe Blouse

The Martini Bright Stripe Blouse is the latest design to be added to the Penelope Red etsy shop, and is part of "The Red Hour" Collection.

I LOVE this print! My textile agent laughed when I became so excited by this print... and it is one of the many exciting prints I have for this season. It has virtually every colour of the rainbow included in it, along with a bold black line, and the printed design is basically random stripes going down the body.

The below photo shows the Martini Bright Stripe Blouse worn with the Cosmopolitan Red Bow Tie Pants. The blouse has been handmade by myself from a 100% polyester chiffon, and a little vintage rik-rak braid has been applied around the gathered neckline.



This blouse style is the same as my Black and White Nouveau Blouse,


the Liechtenstein Blouse,



the Oriental Fans Blouse,

and others.

Since the style is so simple, it can be worn in many different ways, yet the bold colours and prints make it a very "Penelope Red" design- something unique and different! Take a look at this older posting to see the many different ways in which you can wear this style.

The Penelope Red Pink Summer Kimono

Introducing the latest Penelope Red style, the Pink Summer Kimono! It has been handmade from a 100% polished cotton, featuring a bright coloured print of flowers, paisley and marbling. The colours include pink, yellow, red, blue, purple, white and more.



I have taken many photos of this style, and I wanted to show you a few more than the five etsy allows, so here they are.



The back ,above, with the belt tied around the waist; the below photo showing the back when the belt is left loose.


The back has several pleats above and below the waistband, which is shown in the below photo. I have sold several kimono's (in other prints) at the markets, and the back pleating is usually one of the aspects of this design that people love. It really makes it easy to wear, as you don't need to arrange the pleating yourself- the garment already has it.



Above and below shows the inside of the garment. I always like to make sure the inside is as neat as the outside!




It truly is a simple style to wear; pair it with jeans and some chunky jewellery to go shopping; wear some skinny black pants and heels for a night out; cute shorts will make this style versatile for a lazy summers afternoon at the beach! As it is 100% cotton, you could also use it instead of a sarong- it is a light fabric, so it will dry quickly, and no need for adjusting and re-tying it all the time (like we do to those sarongs)!


Take a look at the Pink Summer Kimono style in the Penelope Red etsy shop

New Fabrics for Spring and Summer

I have some new and exciting prints to show you, which will feature in my new Spring/Summer designs for 2010 and 2011. I love colour, prints and retro inspirations, so these fabrics simply sang out to me as soon as I saw them!


1st print: a polished cotton. This print I will get in Aqua as well. You can take a look at the other colour-way on the blog here.




2nd print: a gorgeous red with polka dots polyester satin. I may even use a little of this during winter for some cute blouses!




3rd print: My textile agent said that she thought of me the moment they received it- is that saying something about my taste in prints or what? Anyone who knows my style, knows I love vivid and bold prints. I think this will be fabulous in a great dress, or perhaps a halter neck top.

One Top; Many Possibilities!

The Lichenstein Blouse is being worn with the Jade Bolero and Black Mucha Pants- all Penelope Red!

Don't you just love designs that are versatile, and easily worn?! The Penelope Red Lichtenstein Blouse is definitely one of those... The style is a very loose fit, but still very flattering to the female figure. The possibilities of combinations are only limited to your imagination!

I have included in this posting a few of my favourite ways of wearing this style, and there are many more!


Worn with my favourite black leather vintage mini skirt, and my fabulous red boots! More of a rock chick look- oh, and the funky belt was another vintage find.


Above, the Lichtenstein Blouse is worn with the Penelope Red Navy Fluted Skirt- I love this look for the office, or perhaps even for a formal occasion.


Wear the blouse with your favourite pair of jeans, heels, and a gorgeous belt- chic and effortless.


Again, the mini skirt and a pair of hot black heels. Really, you could pick out any of the colours from this print, and wear a skirt in one of those colours- imagine how hot it would look with a bright red skirt, or perhaps aqua!


Wear the Lichtenstein Blouse with a plain black long sleeve top in winter to transform it into a garment for your winter wardrobe as well.

Penelope Red at The Rocks Market: 20th and 21st Feb

I will be trading at The Rocks Markets this coming Saturday 20th and Sunday, 21st of February, 2010. The trading hours are 10am til 5pm.

I am currently making a complete size set (sizes 8 to 16) of the Lichenstein Gathered Neck Blouses:



Then I will make another size 8 and 10 of the Tuxedo Corset- as these have sold out already.



And since the Wrap Around Halter Tops have been getting more and more attention recently, I thought I would make more of the Bohemian Sari Wrap Around Halter Tops:



The above designs are all available for purchase on my etsy shop, and they will be available at The Rocks Markets too.