Inspiration for the Penelope Red Spring Summer Collection 2011-2012

Every time I start a new collection, I like to think of a theme, or an inspiration that captures my imagination. For a long time I have been envisaging this idea in my head, and I really just can't wait to see it happen before my eyes when the photo shoot is taking place.

As I design, I first like to think about what the whole look and feel of the photo shoot will be about- I guess this is a starting point, and then I work backwards.

I also like to try and mix inspirations together, so I can come up with something original.

The first inspiration, picured above is of a painting by Eugene-Auguste Francois Deully. Unfortunately there is not a lot of information on the net about this artist, and even when I look up the painting, it has two separate names. I will go by the name of "The Flower Seller".



I liked "The Flower Seller" because it has many beautiful colours, it has a pretty scene, and I think it is a fun, optimistic painting- something that I want the photo shoot to be about.

My textile agent also happened to be selling a lot of floral fabrics, and I thought they would go perfectly with this inspiration.






The other inspiration so far is Marie Antoinette. I guess a lot of people will presume it is becuase I liked the movie of the same name, starring Kirsten Dunst. I agree that the costumes and scenery was amazing, but the actual movie itself was not my kind of film.

I guess I am more inspired by the colours, the decadence, and after visiting the place in which she grew up, in Austria, who wouldn't be inspired!?



So, I now need to take all of this inspiration, colours, ideas, fabrics, and make it into a modern Penelope Red collection! Not an easy task, but I am looking forward to the challenge!

Colour palette inspiration

The image below I took to show you how I sometimes get my ideas for a Penelope Red colour palette. Sometimes it happens by accident, like in the photo. I just happened to place these fabrics in the box, and I realised how beautiful they look together. I love the contrast of the bright blue and bright yellow, the softness of the pale yellow, and somehow the metallic braid and brown binding marry it all together...



I find inspiration for colour palettes in sometimes the most un-likely places; a group of bobbin reels in different colours that happen to be sitting with each other; a book case with lots of different coloured books together; a group of markers that I have out on the table; sometimes a beautiful sunset. Anything with lots of colour!

I would love to one day be designing my own prints, so I can then use these colour palettes frequently. Until then, I will need to use the fabrics and prints that are available to me- which believe me, are inspiration enough!

Fabrics and Textures for Autumn 2011 Collection

Previously I posted about my Penelope Red Autumn 2011 Collection inspiration. Today I wanted to show you the fabrics, trims and textures that I may decide to include in this collection....



As with any design, my ideas will evolve and change as I go, but right now, I am thinking of using a mix of fabrics, textures, and trims in colours ranging from gold, silver, brown, blue, purple, and mixing them with shades of white, cream and black.

Included in these photos is a brand new print, white silk, black sequinned lace, a few vintage laces, a couple of vintage metallic braids, black ribbed fabric, olive silk, beaded chiffon. This is just a small selection of the fabrics and trims I have to choose from, and I can't wait to get started on this range!



Stay tuned for more updates throughout the next few months.

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!

Paths to Abstraction Exhibit at the Art Gallery of NSW

A market buddy, Naomi, and I decided to visit the Art Gallery of NSW yesterday. It is always nice to get some fresh inspiration, so when Naomi suggested this exhibit I didn't know what to expect, but I loved it!



The above images were taken from the Art gallery of NSW website. 1st image: Patrick Henry Bruce "Painting". 2nd image: Frantisek Kupka "Discs of Newton".

So many great artists and recognisable artworks in the one exhibition: Cezanne, Duchamp, Kandinsky, Malevich, Matisse, Mondrian, Monet, Munch, Picasso, Whistler. There are approx 40 different artist's work on display.

I wanted to share with you a few of my favourites:


Unfortunately this is the only image I could find on the web of the above artwork. It is by Sonia Delaunay, "Dancer, second version 1916". The colours and the proportions of these colours together are simply beautiful! I love using artworks to inspire my colour combinations, as artwork is already proof that the colours work together.

Naomi, who is the designer of Mae and Pearl, and she also designs her own prints, mentioned that she might use the above artwork as inspiration for a print. I hope she does! I would love it!!

Well worth the visit to see this in its real-life format.



Above, Robert Delaunay's "Nude woman reading". I LOVE the colours in this work too.


Naomi and I out the front of the art gallery. Such beautiful weather for mid winter!


There were many more artworks that I loved, so you will just have to visit the exhibit to see for yourself! Piet Mondrian's "Zomernacht", Andre Derain's "Banks of the Seine at Bougival", and Morgan Russell's "Four Part Synchromy, no 7" just to name a few.

Viewing this exhibit has given me a few ideas for my Summer collection, so I can't wait to start it!

The Penelope Red Stripe Bow Knit Top

I am always watching old movies, and I admire the costumes, and this design is another example of my vintage inspiration and my modern take on it.



I was actually inspired by the above costume worn by The Baroness, from "The Sound of Music". I only watched the movie about 6 years ago, for the first time (strange, hey?), and loved it of course, but I instantly fell in love with the costumes, in particular, the orange suit and bow top outfit shown in this photo.



Obviously, I have changed the style quite a bit, and I don't have polka dots on the fabric (although, I at first tried to get them), but I think the right idea is to not copy, but be inspired! I don't like to make my designs so vintage, that they look like costume.



So I am introducing my take on this look... The Penelope Red Stripe Bow Knit Top.



When searching for a photo of the Baroness, I stumbled across a blog named BLEND, which described the Baroness's fashion perfectly.

Crystal, the lady behind Blend, seems to have a great sense of style- a love of vintage style, but with a modern edge. Take a look at Blend here.



So, I have quite a few photos of this design, so here are some more...



It is made from a red and white stripe jersey knit fabric, made from a cotton elastane. I placed the stripes on the bias around the body, as it creates a more elegant shape and waist line.



The oversized bow is the main element I took from the Sound of Music original, and I think it works really well here with all of the stripes!



you can buy the Penelope Red Stripe Bow Knit Top in the Penelope Red Etsy shop.

Jane Austen on Etsy

Recently I featured a few other designers/artist in my blog that have used "The Birth of Venus" as their inspiration.

My inspiration for the latest Penelope Red range, "The Venus, Penelope and Jane Collection" has made me think about all those other artists and designers on etsy who love Jane Austen. I decided to search for "Jane Austen" using etsy's search engine, and this collection of items is what I picked...



Jane Austen quotes 3.5 inch squares digital collage sheet. Use this for coasters cards or other print projects. By magicpug






Emma by Jane Austen book handbag by bookity




Hartfield Nights by mashalaurence



Art Nouveau Mother's Day Card by newnanc



Captain Wentworth Notebook - Jane Austen Hero by restaure

Venus on Etsy

My inspiration for the latest Penelope Red range, "The Venus, Penelope and Jane Collection" has made me think about all those other artists and designers on etsy who love the beautiful "Birth of Venus" painting. I decided to search for "Venus" using etsy's search engine, and this collection of items is what I picked...



Venus by ImagineStudio
This artist fuses photos and digital art to create these amazing and original artworks.




ORIGINAL ASIL ART - Collage Art - Venus 1 by asilart
A modern abstract collage on canvas with acrylics. Signed and dated on the back.

Classic / Set of 10 Bookplates by HattiesHootenanny
Keep your books tidy with these lovely book plates.



The Venus in Orange Leather by Trouvez
I love orange, and I could imagine this bag would come in handy on many occasions!

Inspirations: "Birth of Venus" and Jane Austen

I have been thinking about creating a new range of designs and I have decided to use two inspirations, to create something a little different...

Whenever I read Jane Austen novels, I think of the flowing dresses and beautiful fabrics. One of my favourite DVD's is "Pride and Prejudice", with Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle. The Regency period used Empire lines- what most people would call a "baby doll" style; Grecian decoration, Egyptian ornament, Spencer coats, and military influences. I will borrow a little from this period for the silhouette of my designs. Click here to read more about costume's from this period. All costume photos in this posting are from the fashion-era.com website.



The painting above would have to be one of my all-time favourites; Sandro Botticelli's "The Birth Of Venus". I love the colours, the beauty of Venus, the West wind, Zephyrus and Flora, the spring that are blowing her gently to the shore. I want to use the colours from this painting, as well as the beautiful femininity to help inspire my designs.



I will use a lot of pastel colours (coral, pink, aqua, mint, blues, creams, etc), and lots of florals, as well as floaty fabrics, and I have a great pleated pastel pink fabric that I want to use. I recently bought quite a lot of vintage and antique lace, so this might be added to the mix as well!



I can't wait to see what I come up with, and share my creations with you! I probably won't have them on sale for atleast a month or more, as I will want to take photos first, but I am too excited to not share my ideas with you!