Centennial Park Autumn Leaves

The weekend just passed was yet another stunning weekend in Sydney! I spent it at the beach and at my favourite park in Sydney, Centennial Park, soaking up the rays. Anyone could be forgiven for thinking it was Spring.

Although the photos of the beautiful Autumn leaves were not taken this weekend (they were taken in June), I wanted to show you how beautiful Centennial Park is. This is just one small part of the park.

Hope you enjoy, and maybe it gets you out to your local park!

Penelope Red New Design: Mauve and Black Coat sneak peak

After 3.5 metres of wool, 2.5 metres of silk lining, 3.5 metres of cotton interlining, 2 metres of interfacing, 4.5 metres black satin corded piping and 3 days of marathon sewing, I have handmade a beautiful Mauve and Black Winter Coat!

As you can probably tell from the photos, I have not finished it yet. I still need to complete the bound button holes, and apply the buttons to the other front piece. I was just too excited to not show it to you so far!



I decided to accent the mauve with the black as I thought it would be the best impact, as well as being the most wearable. Some beautiful black heels and a black hat would really finish off the look of this coat.



This looks loose on the dummy, because the coat is a size 14 (or US size 10), and the dummy is more like a size 8-10. I decided to make this in a size 14 because it is the most popular size at the markets, and I already have the Jade Winter Coat in a size 10.



I plan to make another coat in a size 12 (US size 8), and if I have time, one more in a size 8 (US size 4).



The Penelope Red Jade Winter Coat and this new style, the Mauve and Black Winter Coat will be available at The Rocks Markets this Saturday and Sunday.

Penelope Red at The Rocks Market: 10th & 11th April 2010

Just a quick message to let you know I will be at the Rocks Markets, Sydney this coming weekend, the 10th and 11th of April, 2010.



I am quite excited, as I have had a few weeks away, and I have some new designs, ready to show all of you! Actually, my husband is the only one to have seen them so far, I don't even have any photos of them yet, and they are in time for Winter. So if you are in the Sydney area, come down and say hello.

I will be there form 10am to 5pm. My location will be announced on my facebook page, closer to the weekend.

New Designs on the Penelope Red Website

Pictured above, one of the latest Penelope Red styles: The Ikat Gold Mini Skirt

I am excited to share with you my very latest designs!

In the past few months, I have been slowly unravelling my latest inspirations, designs, and how they are made. This is a small, more exclusive collection, as they are all made using very individual fabrics, most are one-off's, and they have been created using more 'couture' techniques.

I have also updated the Penelope Red website gallery, as I was hoping that this format would be easier to browse through.

In this post I have placed one photo of each of the new designs featured on the website, as well as the link to the blog entry I did on each (look at this if you want to see the"making of")...


Above: the Penelope Red Ikat Bolero


Above: The Penelope Red Jade Winter Coat


Above: The Penelope Red Kaleidoscope Mini Skirt


Above: The Penelope Red Silk Road Winter Dress



Above: The Penelope Red Silk Road Hooded Coat

Be sure to check these styles out on the Penelope Red website!

These styles will be available in my Etsy store soon.

Follow me on twitter or facebook for more updates of my latest designs and finds!

Meet the Model: Olga Bokalova

I wanted to introduce to you the beautiful and stunning, Olga Bokalova. I was very lucky to be able to have her as my model for the Penelope Red Autumn/Winter Photoshoot, and I couldn't have been happier with how the photos turned out!


Olga was a such a lovely person to work with. Very professional, and very friendly. Beautiful on the inside and out, in my opinion!


Olga has Ukrainian and Russian heritage, and is from Russia originally, but making Australia her home.


You can see more of Olga's portfolio on Model Mayhem.

The Photographer for the photo shoot was: Milena Dekic, from I Love Wednesdays
The Make Up Artist was: Nat Biller

The New Penelope Red Autumn/Winter Range

I am very excited to introduce to you my Autumn/Winter Range, which is currently available to purchase from my Etsy store.

I have placed only a few designs in the shop so far, but there will be more added in the following weeks.

So far, I have added to the store the Penelope Red Black Bowtie Top



The photos included here have all been styled with skirts, but this top can just as easily be worn with a pair of jeans or pants, and still look fantastic! One of my favourite weekend outfits recently has been this top paired together with my blue jeans, bright red belt, and bright red shoes. Effortlessly Chic!







The Penelope Red Barcelona Corset has also been added to the Penelope Red Etsy store.





I also wanted to show you the inside of the corset, which is pictured below. It has been fully lined, and enclosed with a polyester purple/maroon lining.





The third style added today was the Penelope Red Deco Sequinned Top


The scarf included in these photos will be available for purchase on Etsy soon.


If you are interested in any of the above styles, or you would like a different size than what is listed on Etsy, then please contact me at: designer@penelopered.com.au

The Penelope Red Silk Road Winter Dress

I wanted to show you one of my very latest designs! This is the Penelope Red Silk Road Winter Dress. I have shown you the same Winter Tailored Dress style, in other fabrics, before, but it still amazes me how different each of these dresses can look by simply changing the fabric.

Please note these photos were taken with a very simple camera, and the photos are not the best, but I couldn't wait for the photo shoot to show you the design! It will look amazing in the photo shoot, once we have a proper model and a fantastic photographer.



Each of the fabric's featured here are recycled fabrics. The black and white check is a wool blend, the aqua is wool, and the red is made from a synthetic fibre.



I love creating contrast, and the colours really pop out! I used these colours together as they accentuate the shapes of the panelling, and I also think it is something unique.



The dress has been fully lined with red polyester lining (which was recycled too). I love using recycled fabrics, or vintage fabrics, as it means that no one else will have it!



This is a one-off design, and there will be others I can make in other fabrics, but they will never be exactly the same. It will be on sale in the Penelope Red Etsy store in late September/Early October 2009.

Meanwhile, please take a look at the latest Penelope Red photo shoot here.

If you would like to order this style, or want one custom made (and we can discuss other fabrics and colours), then please email me at: designer@penelopered.com.au

The Penelope Red Tailored Winter Dress: Custom Order

The Penelope Red Winter Tailored Dress would have to be one of my favourite designs, and one that I am very proud of! A lovely customer of mine, Kiran, asked me to make this style for her, when she had seen my other versions on my website. Doesn't Kiran look beautiful in this design!?



We both decided on the colour and fabrications together. The bright blue silk looks fantastic against Kiran's skin! I loved the idea of using the beautiful silk brocade for the main body. The 3rd fabric is a wool pinstripe.



The sleeves add that extra bit of panache! They are something different; something you wouldn't expect, and they really make the outfit.



Making this style gives me a chance to show my flair and love of colours and contrasting textures. I love creating beautiful shapes and panelling to show off the figure, while showing off the fabric. It makes this dress stand apart from the rest!



The square neckline really suits Kiran. This neckline was inspired by watching old movies, in particular "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes".



Since the sleeve has panelling, I continued the curved lines around the neckline and back. It also gave me a chance to frame Kiran's beautiful face with the bright blue silk.



I made the pattern to fit Kiran completely, so we had a few fittings to get it just right. If you would like to enquire regarding a custom made Penelope Red Tailored Winter Dress, please email me: designer@penelopered.com.au

I am so pleased with this dress, I want to make one for myself!- however, I am currently planning to create a black and cream version in the next few weeks, and since I already own the two pictured below, can I justify a 4th?....maybe!



Above is the first ever Penelope Red Winter Tailored Dress. I actually designed and made this about 2.5 years ago. I still love it, and I still wear it constantly!

It still amazes me how complete strangers will react every time I wear either of these dresses. I will always be asked the same question, "Where did you get that from?!"
Kiran, you have been warned!



The Penelope Red Spring Tailored Dress. This is another version of the same style pictured above, just different fabrications, and no collar. (The custom made blue dress is a slightly different style)

I love this design because it is creative, alluring and unexpected, while still being extremely feminine, sophisticated, but also sexy. What every dress should be!