The Penelope Red Asymetric Blue Sakhmet Blouse

On the weekend, at the Rocks Markets, I wore the new Asymmetric Blue Sakhmet Blouse, and I felt like a million dollars in it, so I thought I might share it with you. The above photos was taken of my friend, Lorelle and myself. I am wearing the Olive Green Hathor Pencil Pants with the blouse (which will be featured soon).


I am very happy with this design- it is very different to any thing I have ever created, but still is very me. The bright blue rayon twill is very soft to wear, and the vintage metallic braid in black, silver and gold accents the colour well. The above and below photos were taken backstage while the photo shoot for The Red Queen Collection took place.



The Sakhmet Blouse has been handmade while being cut on the bias- it moulds to your body shape, but it won't be tight.


The Rocks Markets held a fashion parade last weekend, to showcase each designers latest Autumn/Winter designs, and my Penelope Red designs were featured in it. The model above and below wears the Asymetric Blue Sakhmet Blouse and Black Hathor Pencil Pants.



When designing this blouse, I wanted to create a top that had only one shoulder, but I hated the idea of seeing the wearer hitch it up every 5 minutes because it would be slipping from the bust. So I developed this "idea" of a one-shoulder, using an optical illusion- because of the braid, your eye follows that line up to the sleeve, and you see the other shoulder last.

It is a Penelope Red version of a one-shoulder top, but also bra-friendly! This style will be made in Australian sizes 8 to 18, and it is available in both the Australian Dollar online shop, or the American Dollar online shop.



This style is also avaialable in a black and purple version here: http://penelopered.bigcartel.com/product/asymmetric-black-silk-emilie-blouse

You may be wondering where the name "Sakhmet" comes from. I named it after the Egyptian Goddess Sakhmet- this name is often translated as the "Powerful One". She is depicted as a lion-headed woman, and is often known as the Goddess of War. She was also known as the "Red Lady" (fitting hey?).

Behind the scenes: Penelope Red Autumn Photo Shoot

The photo shoot for the Penelope Red Autumn Collection took place on Monday. The photos in this post are not the professional photos, but shots that my friend, Melissa, and I took as the day progressed.

Above: Lucy wears the Spinx Orange Blouse with the Olive Hathor Pencil Pants. Vintage jewellery.

The fabulous Cleopatra inspired make up was created by Lucy Topp, and the Gustav Klimt inspired hair was styled by Chris Lau.

We were very lucky that The Wine Odyssey, the Rocks, Sydney, were kind enough to open their doors to us. The Wine Odyssey's back drop was the perfect setting for my Gustav Klimt and Egyptian costume inspired designs.




Above, Bryn the photographer is showing Mariene (right) and I (left) what shot is working and what isn't. I am wearing the Asymmetric Blue Sakhmet Blouse. Mariene is wearing the Olive Silk and Antique Lace Mermaids Dress.



Above, Mariene is wearing a hat created by Raisa (another designer from The Rocks Markets). Monica is wearing the Asymmetric Black Silk Emilie Blouse and a necklace (worn as head piece) by Shirley Ogilvie-Gearin.



Isn't the backdrop just stunning?! Leave it to the Wine Odyssey to provide it for us! Above, Mariene is wearing the Adele Kimono. Hat designed and created by Raisa.



Above, Lucy making sure Monica's make up is flawless! Such a professional!




Above, one of the shots that I particularly love!


Chris Lau adjusting Monica's hair... and she is wearing the Cleopatra Deco Sequinned Top- which took hours and hours of hand sewing the lace on!

Autumn 2011 Inspiration

Oh, how I love Gustav Klimt's paintings! Such decadence and over the top decoration- no wonder I love it! I guess I truly became a massive fan once I visited Vienna, and viewed the real thing! The detail and beauty of these paintings do not show up in the photos. Read about my visit to Vienna here.



Ever since I was in high school, I have been intrigued by the mythical and cultural aspects of Ancient History; Egypt in particular. I love their Hieroglyphics (and I still wish I could read them), I love the ancient stories, and the mystery of this foreign and ancient culture.



So... without further ado, I wanted to share with you the first little sneak peak into what I am thinking for the Penelope Red Autumn 2011 Collection. I will fuse the idea of Egyptian costume, with the beautiful paintings of Gustav Klimt!

Above, Portrait of Emilie Floge by Gustav Klimt

To me, I feel like the Klimt paintings actually already have an Egyptian influence... for instance, the painting below: Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer 1

... take a look at the detail in her skirt... note the hieroglyphic-like eyes!



Above, Water Snakes 1 by Gustav Klimt


And of course, as I was researching Egyptian costume, I couldn't go past the costumes and styling used in Elizabeth Taylor's, "Cleopatra". Ok, so I know they are not historically accurate, but I think they are a perfect of example of how a modern interpretation of costume can be achieved.









Now it is my job to create designs inspired by all of this, while still making them functional for my customers to wear! It won't be easy... but it will certainly be FUN!