The Rocks Markets Winter Fashion Showcase

http://www.therocks.com/sydney-Shopping-The_Rocks_Markets.htm has organised a fashion parade to take place on the 17th and 18th April, and some of my Penelope Red Winter designs will be featured! I am really looking forward to it. They are calling it the Winter Fashion Showcase. Take a look at the flyer below for details:

Meet the Photographer: Anna Leshchinskaya from Fotografika

The following interview was placed in the April 2010 edition of the Penelope Red newsletter. I thought it would be nice to share it with you all here as well. If you would like to receive the Penelope Red newsletter, please email me at: designer@penelopered.com.au



Anna Leshchinskaya, from Fotografika is the very talented photographer who created the images for “The Venus, Penelope and Jane Collection”, and I wanted to introduce you all to her, via a mini interview. All the images below and more can be viewed on the Fotografika website: http://www.fotografika.com.au/



Tell us a little about your background.

I was born in Siberia and worked as a lawyer in Moscow before my husband and I moved to Sydney two years ago. Despite this fact, I've always had my creative self, competing with the logical side; when I was younger I danced ballet for 7 years and studied art. When I quit law a few years ago, I went back to fine art studies and drawing, and the latter gives me complete enjoyment.

Why did you decide to study photography and start your business?

Photography, travel photography in particular, has always been a hobby. After my daughter was born, she became my No 1 model, and gradually I started shooting more people. I believe that people are the most powerful subject for an artist, because it keeps us wondering what lies behind their expression.

I realised that doing photography professionally would be a perfect career change. My time is now evenly divided between the family and doing what I love. In fact, photography is closer to my drawing hobby than we may think, meaning literally "painting with the light".





What are you working on now?

Now that I have my absolute passion enclosed in documenting a person’s life and real emotions; I photograph kids and families, private and corporate events, graduation and weddings.


Another exciting project that I am currently working on is the utterly seductive Venus, Penelope and Jane Collection for PenelopeRED. Fashion photography is very challenging because it requires a lot more from the photographer than just capturing the moment. It also requires a theatrical vision of the whole scene and certain skills of a sculptor to work with a model. This is why I am really looking forward to starting a fashion photography course with one of Sydney’s famous photographers, Hamish Ta-me.

What are your plans for the future?

I am fascinated by the documentary approach in photography and I am planning to study and work more in environmental portraiture and photojournalism.



You may have a special event coming up, where you may need a photographer. You can contact Anna on the following:

Website: http://www.fotografika.com.au/
Email: enquiries@fotografika.com.au
Phone: 0420 99 75 76

Take a look at more of Anna's work on the Penelope Red website:
The Red Silk Road Collection
The Red Look Collection

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

New Style: The Penelope Red Venus Corset

I have just added the Penelope Red Venus Corset to my Etsy shop, so I thought I would add a few extra pictures to this blog.



I love wearing corsets! They make me feel so feminine, sexy and empowered! I feel like my alter ego comes alive when I wear them, and I always receive compliments on the craftsmanship, and difference to the rest of the corsets out there. Most people can't believe that I make them myself!



You can take a look at the making of one of the Penelope Red corsets here.



The main fabric is a vintage floral brocade, featuring a floral pattern in pink, salmon and pistachio green on a cream background. I have enough fabric to make about eight copies of this corset- that's eight for the entire world to share. I can make them in A-B cup size, as well as C-D cup size.



Please contact me on designer@penelopered.com.au for more information on sizing, etc.

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

New Style! The Penelope Red Empire Grey Pleated Blouse

I have only just added this new design to my etsy shop... The Penelope Red Empire Grey Pleated Blouse.



As etsy only allows for five photos, this blog gives me the opportunity to show you more photos of this great top, and also the inside- as I always think that the inside should be neat and beautiful too!



This design is part of my new collection, "The Venus, Penelope and Jane Collection". Take a look at the inspiration here. One of the first designs I created for this collection, the Venus Floral Bolero, was featured in the blog here.



The fabric I have used for this top is quite unique. It is steel grey in colour, has a sheen, and a seer-sucker-like texture. It is made from a cotton/polyester blend. Great for spring and summer.



I am really quite fascinated with lace and trims at the moment! I have added a beautiful vintage lace to the under bust seam. This lace has actually been hand crocheted- can you imagine someone has literally created every loop and knot in this intricate lace! I bought it recently, and couldn't wait to use it, so here it is!



A cute little ivory rose button has been attached to the centre back, and at the top of the invisible side zip.







I wanted to complete the contrasting detail a little further, so I have made a top stitching detail in ivory thread, around the neck and hem.



All seams have been over-locked and pressed.



You can take a look at this style, and other styles in the range, on the Penelope Red Website here.



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

"Remember Me": My Movie Review

My sister and I watched the movie, "Remember Me", starring Robert Pattinson and Emilie de Ravin, last night.



I was expecting a half decent movie, with decent people to watch... After all, Pierce Brosnan and Rob Pattinson in the one movie had to be enjoyable to watch! However, I walked away loving Remember Me, and I am still thinking about it this morning, which is why I decided to write about it. Rarely do I see a movie that I constantly think about afterwards. Perhaps the last movie that made me do that was "Avatar".



The movie concentrates on two families, and how they have been dealing with the aftermath of each of their own family tragedy. Those two families are intertwined by the two lovers in the story, Tyler (played by Rob) and Ally (played by Emilie).



I am surprised by the reviews on rottentomatoes.com... there are few that are positive, and it has a pitiful rating. I have no idea why.



The story is actually quite melancholy, and I personally wouldn't really call this a romance (it has romance in it, but to me not enough to really slide into this genre), but if you are looking for drama, then this is a great movie.



Perhaps one of the reasons why I liked it so much was that the ending was unexpected, a bit of a shock, and a little heart-wrenching. I don't want to give it away, but I thought it finished the movie and rounded-off the plot well.



Perhaps the only thing I didn't like about the movie was Pierce Brosnan's attempt at an American accent (or what sounded like he was trying)- but it seemed like he had given up by the time it had reached around half way.



I thought Rob played his character exceptionally well, and I completely forgot about him being Edward Cullen (from Twilight- one of my favourite books) after about 2 minutes into the movie. I look forward to seeing more from this actor, and seeing exactly how versatile he really is.

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

Artist: Lee D Severn

One of my oldest and dearest friends is married to a very talented artist, Lee D Severn. His work focuses on portrait studies of his favourite Rock/Music performers and artists, such as The Rolling Stones, U2, The Police, Stevie Wonder, Leonard Cohen, Tori Amos, and the list goes on.

I wanted to show you some of his brilliant work, and I hope that you will take a look at his website, as each portrait comes with an amazing story of how Lee has met each of the performers!...





1. Do you create portraits of people who are not famous?

I do commissions of anyone, working mostly from photographs. Something I am trying to get going is to paint people with their hero's; it's not everyday you get to meet your idol. So I have been playing with this idea, ever since I painted my Dad with his hero Mick Jagger, and I told him it would be the closest he would get to meeting the real thing. A bit of a joke between me and him, since I did meet Mick Jagger, in the end!

2. From your work, what are some of your favourite artworks?

As is often the case with many artists, I am my own worst critic. After studying a photograph for so long of what I am attempting to paint, I get used to seeing a perfect image; when I look at my paintings, all I see are the errors and I'm often not happy with the end result.

If I am forced to choose or show someone an example of my work, I usually pull out my Neil Young portrait, and more recently, I'll show my "King For a Day" painting- I really like the idea behind it.

3. What have you been working on recently?

Recently, I have just completed images of Jack White from the White Stripes and Jools Holland, the U.K's answer to Molly Meldrum- but with a lot more credibility, music taste and musical talent. I am hoping to have them both signed shortly.

4. Any plans for the future, with your work?

I'm currently in the process of trying to get involved with the Sydney Fringe Festival in September. If I am successful, it could be huge for my art career, as it will give me a great chance to finally exhibit most of my work and get my name out there. I am also working on the largest painting I have done yet which is exciting! I am choosing to keep the idea to myself for a while though.



The above painting is one of my favourites, and it is a personal painting Lee created using his wife and baby son as his muse.

Take a look at Lee's website:

http://www.leedsevern.com/index.html

and you can join Lee's facebook page here.

New Style: The Penelope Red Pink Candy Cowl Top

One of my latest designs, the Penelope Red Pink Candy Cowl Top. This has been made from two knit fabrics, made from rayon (or viscose) and elastane- very soft fabrics, which hold their shape really well. It is the same fit as the Paris Bow Top, as I have used the same pattern; instead of a bow at the centre front and dramatic V- neck, I have altered it to be a soft V-neck, with a cowl in the contrasting black fabric. The neck has been decorated with a small piece of pink lace which has been hand-stitched onto the neck.

The candy stripe has colours of pink, coral, black and white. I would normally have more photos of this top, but I sold it the very first day I took it to the markets, before I had a chance to take more photos, or even show my husband! So until I make another one, these photos will have to do!



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