My Personal Penelope Red Outfits: A look inside my wardrobe!

Above, my Blue Indian-inspired corset dress. It features one-shoulder, gold sequinned beading, and a scarf hanging from the shoulder. I LOVE this dress, and I can't wait for another opportunity to wear it. I feel like a million dollars wearing it!

When I am at the markets, I tell a lot of my customers that virtually my whole wardrobe is Penelope Red. If it isn't Penelope Red, then it is a pair of jeans, vintage pieces, or something that I bought over seas.



Since I am the designer, I feel it is important to wear my own designs... for one thing, it is self promotion, but really, it isn't about that. I design what I want to wear- not what I think would sell. I dream up my ideas in my head, and it is up to me to transfer them to a 3-D object.



The above outfit was worn to the Tessuti Awards 2009. My Black and Lace Winter Dress makes me feel so special! I recently wore this to a wedding.

I love wearing something entirely different to everyone else, and also showing off what I can do!

I think it is also important to try out each style, and work out if it is comfortable; if it fits perfectly; if it needs adjusting.

So, in this posting I have included a few of my favourite Penelope Red outfits.




The above design was for a bush wedding; this red halter dress was a comfortable and beautiful dress, which could easily be worn with my flat sandles.



Yes, the above photo really was shot in Paris! I had planned to go to Europe at the end of their winter. I started to realise before I left that I would be freezing without a coat. I had this wool lying around, that my sister gave me, so I decided to create this coat before I left- I had 4 days before I was leaving! I wore it constantly, and I still wear it today, 5 years on!



Ok, so the little jacket is not Penelope Red, but the skirt is. I have constantly worn this skirt- I have lost count how many times... atleast 50 times. The hubby and I toured Moscow and St. Petersburg, and this is one of the outfits I constantly wore.



Above, the same coat I made before I left for Europe, and this photo was shot in Rome!



This orange top was worn constantly last summer, with my jeans or my black leather mini skirt (a fantastic vintage purchase!).



The Pink Victorian Corset would have to be one of my best ever designs. I have worn mine so many times, and receive comments on it constantly!


My Blue Squiggle Organza skirt was made from a stunning vintage fabric. There was only enough fabric to make one more of these skirts, which has been sold to a lady in Canada!


I made the above vest/blouse especially for this wedding. I started off with one idea, and then it changed as I created it- like most of my designs. This vest always receives many comments when it is worn, so I hope I can wear it again in the coming Summer.



The Penelope Red Black Chiffon Bow Tie Blouse is a top that I wear weekend after weekend! This photo was taken at the Observatory Hotel, having High Tea with a friend.



This was an interesting day (above). My hubby and I went to the Fifties Fair, at Rose Seidler house. I decided to go in Fifties inspired Penelope Red!



My Emerald and Ivory Coat keeps me so cosy and warm in Winter, but I also feel so glamorous, as soon as I put it on! This would have to be one of my all-time favourite designs.


My Coral Kimono (above)... I love it with my black pants, and a sexy heel. One of my friends said to me, "Penny, your wardrobe is like Austin Powers's wardrobe! So much colour..."

I just laughed at that- it made me happy. I can't help it- I love colour! She said that all she has in her wardrobe is black or grey.



One of my favourite dresses, the very first Penelope Red Winter Dress.


Dancing the night away in my Pink Victorian Corset!




I decided to put the above photo last. The girls in this photo I have known since I was 13 or younger. They have seen me in my daggy-est moments, but they have also accepted my style from a young age! I can still remember sitting in maths class, and designing formal dresses, and they all supported me in one way or another while I was designing for my end of school project, or while I was in college, stressing out!

So here's to another couple of decades of my style and fashion!

The Penelope Red Tailored Winter Dresses

I finally have made more of my Penelope Red Tailored Winter Dresses. This new design is made from three different fabrics; the black is a textured 100% wool jacquard, the check is black and ivory- a vintage wool I have had for a while, the third fabric is a beautiful white/ivory silk that my Aunt gave to me- they all look so beautiful and striking in this design!




I will be placing more photos of this dress on the blog, including perhaps making a video of the making of this dress. We'll see if I have the time!

For now, I have included in this post a few variations of the same idea. These are all my Winter Tailored Dresses. The designs have used either a very similar pattern, or the exact same pattern- all being created in completely different fabrics.


This was a custom order. We picked out the fabrics together- doesn't the blue look so lovely against her skin tone!



Above, I have used a gorgeous antique yellow lace, made from wool. This is one of my personal dresses, and I love wearing it to special events and functions as it is so different- a real head turner! I wore this again, just over a month ago to a musical.


Above is the Silk Road Winter Tailored Dress, made from three very distinct fabrics. This is available to purchase at the Rocks Markets.


I last wore this dress (yes, this is another of my personal winter dresses!) to the city, when I visited the Art Gallery. Four complete strangers commented on my dress- always a sign that it is a good design!



I wore the Black and Cream Winter Dress to a wedding this past weekend, and it was a definite hit! I love this dress! It is so stylish, but so pretty.



For enquiries into ordering your own Penelope Red Winter Tailored Dress, please email me : designer@penelopered.com.au

The Penelope Red Winter Fashion Parade Video

The Rocks Markets held a Winter Fashion Parade, featuring Penelope Red designs, on the 17th and 18th of April. There will be an official film of the parade, and professional photographs, but I couldn't wait that long to get my hot little hands on it, so I made my own video...

It is a short little film- only 2mins long, and it can be downloaded from youtube here.



Take a look at the video here.

The Making of The Venus Floral Bolero

Last week, I needed to create another Penelope Red Venus Floral Bolero for an order, so I thought it was a good opportunity to show you the "making of" this new design...

First I cut out all of the "main" pattern pieces from the vintage cotton floral fabric.


Next I cut out the fusing; this is a stiffening which you iron-onto the main fabric. By the time I cut out the vintage cotton, the fusing and then the lining, it takes a while!


Once the fusing is attached to the floral cotton, I then start to sew as many seams as I can.


In some areas I can attach the lining to the facing pieces.


To keep the neckline from stretching, I place some stay-tape around it.


Next, the sleeves need to be fitted to the armhole. To do this, I place a gathering stitch around the sleeve-head, then I slightly gather it up to fit, and then use the iron to steam it. This shrinks the gathering and prevents puckering.


Once the sleeve-head is steamed, I pin it to the armhole, then I sew it in place.



Then I can focus on the lining and sewing the jacket together.


I like the lining to be just as neat as the outside, so I trim the seams to be neat, and press them flat.


I like to match up all the seams as best as possible too- including the lining.


Now that the lining is ready, I need to insert the pretty pink pleated frill around the neckline of the jacket, before I sew it all together. I create this pink frill from another vintage fabric. It is a large roll of pleated material, which I cut the edging off- this is what I use on the bolero.


Once the frill is attached to the jacket, I then sandwich the layers with right sides together, and sew around the entire edge.


I then trim and clip all seams, as it creates a better finish. Then the whole jacket is turned out through a gap in the lining seam- a little handy trick I learnt in college! This is where it really gets complicated!


Once it is turned out and the neckline has been under-stitched, I then need to finish off the sleeve hem. I do this by turning it inside out, through the same gap in the sleeve lining. It is too hard to explain, so just take my word for it when I say that is where my years of sewing experience comes in handy!


I like to use a contrasting blanket stitch on certain designs. I think it adds a certain handmade quality, while still looking chic and individual. In this design I use a bright pink thread to tone back in with the flowers in the print and the pink frill.

When I bought my sewing machine, I thought I was never going to need all of those fancy stitches that it can create. Now I am so glad they are available, as I think when I use them on my designs, it sets them apart from the rest.


By this stage it is practically done. All I need to do now is place the tiny hook and eyes onto the garment centre front. This is done by hand, and I even make my own little eyes with thread.




And the completed Penelope Red Venus Floral Bolero is done! You can purchase a copy of it in my etsy shop here.

New Summer Retro Fabrics: Vote for your favourite!

I visited my fabric supplier yesterday, and I am quite excited as they have a new print which I am in love with- I am just not sure which colour-way to get! In comes in a choice of three colour-ways, and they are pictured below.

1. RED



2. PINK



3. AQUA



I am loving the Pink colour-way and the aqua as well. So, I am now asking you, what do you think?

These fabrics will definitely come in handy for the summer, as I wanted to go back to my 60's and 70's retro styles- styles which I known for when I was selling at Paddington Markets. They are loads of fun to wear, and whenever I wear my catsuits, I feel like a million dollars!

Keep in mind that this fabric is a beautiful soft polished cotton, and I will probably make the following type of styles out of it...

1. Flared Pants like these:



2. Kimono



3. Catsuit



so please leave your comments! I would love to hear what you think!