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.

Creating "The Red Hour" New Summer Collection

Finally my computer is working!!!! I have not been able to add any new blog postings for 2 weeks now, and I am starting to get withdrawal symptoms. So here I am, back again, and ready to add more and more new posts!

So without further ado, I wanted to show to you the beginnings of my new Penelope Red Summer range, "The Red Hour Collection".

It is called "the RED hour" instead of "the cocktail hour". I began designing this collection by starting off thinking: "what would I love to wear to a cocktail bar or party?"

Then I visited my textile agent, and she had these amazing fabrics! So the ideas just flowed...


The above design is my new Aqua Summer Wrap Around Halter Neck Top. Such a great style, which never dates, paired together with a stunning print- I have a feeling this will sell fast!


The photo above and below is of another cotton print, but you are actually seeing four colourways/swatches of it (2 in each photo). I have so far bought the green/aqua/yellow combination (the top swatch in the photo below), and now, each time I look at these photos I am tempted to buy another, but I am not sure which one... Any suggestions?



From the aqua print fabric, I am also making some flared pants from it. Anyone who knows my style well, knows I love my colourful flared pants!


This next print will be made into a gathered neck blouse, such as the Black and White Nouveau Blouse. This style shape has been very popular in the past 6 months, and as soon as I spotted this fabric, it just screamed Penelope Red!



There will be plenty of other handmade Penelope Red styles to come, and sneak peeks to view. I am hoping to have all the designs made up in the next week, ready for a brilliant photo shoot.

Some of my current styles available to purchase can be found in the Penelope Red etsy shop here:

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.

The Penelope Red Sweetheart Blouse: A new design!

Last week, I finished a new design: The Penelope Red Sweetheart Blouse.

It is based on the same loose waist/hip fit of the Monet Pleated Neck Blouse, and of course, the bust area has been re-designed, into a lovely sweetheart neckline.



I love the bright colours on the print- bright orange, aqua, red, cream, on a brown background. Placing the bright orange fabric around the bust, and keeping the darker print around the waist, creates an even and flattering silhouette- and you don't even need to have a trim waist for it!



This top is great for the warmer months. Wear it with your favourite jeans, shorts or a skirt- a mini could look really cute with this! I have used gold buttons where the shoulder straps attach to the bust area, so dress it up with some chunky gold jewellery.



I plan to create other sizes in this top- each with different contrasting orange fabric prints. Can't wait!



The blouse is a loose fit from the underbust down. Pleats are at the centre front and centre back. An invisible zip is on the side. You can also very easily wear a strapless bra underneath this top (I am wearing one in these photos)- or some bra straps will fit this style as well.

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

More photos of the Penelope Red Deco Sequinned Top

I recently discovered the timer on my camera! No more having to wait for my husband to help me take photos for the blog! I thought a few more photos of the Penelope Red Deco Sequinned Top would be a good idea... I wanted to show that it looks just as fantastic with a nice pair of jeans, as well as pants. I know how much everyone loves their jeans!





This top is available in the Penelope Red Etsy shop, in a US size 4 (AU sz 8) and a US size 6 (AU sz 10) with more sizes to follow.