More photos of the Black Rose Jade Dress

The Penelope Red Black Rose Jade Dress was added to the Penelope Red etsy shop today, and as usual, five photo spots is never enough for me, so I wanted to share a few close-ups on this blog.


This dress has been made from a gorgeous rayon (viscose) elastane fabric, in a bright jade green colour. The rayon makes it soft and comfortable to wear- even in the warmer weather, and the elastane helps the fabric to hold its shape, as well as produce the beautiful draped effect of the pleats.



I have over-locked all seams, to make everything nice and neat. The black lace is hand sewn on to each dress- this is why you can see small black stitching on the wrong side of the garment (pictured in this photo above).


The pleats accentuate the waist, while also creating volume for the hem, and an illusion of length as the pleats create vertical lines from your waist down.





One of the best parts about this design, is that it is so comfortable- I can not stress it enough! The fabric is so soft and floaty. Take a look at the video below to see how the hem flows and twirls!


The only difference between the back and front is the back has a centre back seam. I still have the same pleating on the back as well as the front, and the same fullness at the hem.

The Black Rose Jade Dress

Introducing the Black Rose Jade Green Dress, the latest style from Penelope Red- I literally finished making it two days ago. This is the same pattern/style as the Black Rose Red Dress that was really popular a few weeks ago at the markets .


I LOVE this colour!!! I have to admit, when I was deciding on the colour, I was a little hesitant, but then I received some assurance from a few lovely ladies, and now I am so glad I made it in this Jade Green colour! (One for me, one for the shop-I am so bad!) As soon as I tried it on, I knew I had to keep one.

The black accentuates the colour even further, as well as adding a little extra Penelope Red feel to it!


I decided to show you a few simple ways in which you can wear this great style. As it really is quite versatile. When some people look at bright colours, they think they are limited to one or two colours. I say you are only limited to your imagination!

I could really imagine this dress with a gorgeous red or pink printed bolero- I just need to find the fabric people!


One of the many great things about this design is that it is so comfortable, and the fabric is so soft (it is made from a rayon elastane knit or jersey)- there are no excuses for needing to wear tights or jeans etc. any more!

Wear it with boots, tights and a big overcoat when it gets cooler; wear it with strappy heels and a full brim hat on the bright spring days.

I decided to make this dress a mid-calf length as full length is a little predictable (and it doesn't suit some of the shorter ladies), and I have done many knee length dresses. I have long legs- so it looks more knee length on me, but for most, this is a mid calf length.


This dress has 6 pleats on the front, and 6 pleats on the back, all spread around the waist. You can have the choice of wearing a great belt around your waist to accentuate it even further. I love wearing a bright contrast- it draws the eye straight to the waist.


Please note, all of these photos were taken outside, in natural lighting, as I wanted to show you the true colour of this beautiful dress. The only photo shop I have applied to these images is cropping.

I currently have this dress in a US size 4, 6, 8 or 10 or an Australian size 8, 10, 12 and 14. If you would like to enquire about this style, please email me: designer@penelopered.com.au

The Penelope Red Tailored Winter Dresses

I finally have made more of my Penelope Red Tailored Winter Dresses. This new design is made from three different fabrics; the black is a textured 100% wool jacquard, the check is black and ivory- a vintage wool I have had for a while, the third fabric is a beautiful white/ivory silk that my Aunt gave to me- they all look so beautiful and striking in this design!




I will be placing more photos of this dress on the blog, including perhaps making a video of the making of this dress. We'll see if I have the time!

For now, I have included in this post a few variations of the same idea. These are all my Winter Tailored Dresses. The designs have used either a very similar pattern, or the exact same pattern- all being created in completely different fabrics.


This was a custom order. We picked out the fabrics together- doesn't the blue look so lovely against her skin tone!



Above, I have used a gorgeous antique yellow lace, made from wool. This is one of my personal dresses, and I love wearing it to special events and functions as it is so different- a real head turner! I wore this again, just over a month ago to a musical.


Above is the Silk Road Winter Tailored Dress, made from three very distinct fabrics. This is available to purchase at the Rocks Markets.


I last wore this dress (yes, this is another of my personal winter dresses!) to the city, when I visited the Art Gallery. Four complete strangers commented on my dress- always a sign that it is a good design!



I wore the Black and Cream Winter Dress to a wedding this past weekend, and it was a definite hit! I love this dress! It is so stylish, but so pretty.



For enquiries into ordering your own Penelope Red Winter Tailored Dress, please email me : designer@penelopered.com.au

Project Reconstruction

I have been invited to compete in an online charity auction for CARE Emergency in Haiti.

My design is below:



The competition, named Project Reconstruction, is organised by the Canadian online bi-monthly magazine, Viva La Moda.

There will be quite a few designers involved. The design brief: use a men’s business shirt in your design, and make something wearable from it.





The design of the silhouette is actually one of my biggest sellers, the Penelope Red Wrap Around Halter Top; this style is flattering on so many figures, is versatile, and adjustable, and since we were auctioning this on the internet, I thought all of these factors would be best to apply to this design.



Above is pictured the Bohemian Sari Halter Top, which is available to purchase in the Penelope Red etsy shop.





Look below to see how I made this one-of-a-kind top:

Once we were given the design brief, I knew exactly what I wanted to create. Since we were told to use a men's business shirt, I wanted this to be the focus of the design, and use as many elements as possible from this.


What the original shirt looked like...






I used bright blue silk for the lining of this top.


I thought the most interesting part of this shirt was the collar and the colours in the stripe, so this is what I kept.


Above and below, sewing the collar in place.





Once I applied the collar from the original shirt to the top, I then exchanged the original cream buttons, for black buttons- I think they really make a statement against the stripe. I was going to apply a few pieces of randomly placed black lace, but it didn't add anything to the overall design.


I think this design is chic and elegant, and I could see it being worn with a great pair of jeans or a pair of hot black pants, some heels and some chunky jewellery.

The auction will be online, and run through ebay. Subscribe for free to Viva La Moda magazine so you will be notified instantly when the competition starts.

All proceeds go to the CARE Emergency in Haiti charity, and it would be fabulous if you could all tell everyone about this wonderful idea.

Discovered: Nikki Catalano

So I have decided to create a new segment in my blog: "Discovered" in which I feature an artist/designer/etc who I have found recently....





Love Birds (mounted) Large by Nikki Catalano


A friend and I visited Finders Keepers Markets last Saturday, and along with many talented designers and artists, I found these amazing illustrations by Australian designer, Nikki Catalano.




Circus (Mounted) Med by Nikki Catalano

I thought they were so sweet, original, and have a little innocence about them which I guess is what attracted me to them... kind of like "looking at the world through rose tinted glasses".



Bluebirds (Mounted) Med by Nikki Catalano

All of the colour combinations are just gorgeous, and her prices range from $7USD for a pack of three cards, to $46USD for a large mounted print of her art work.

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

Art Gallery of NSW: Archibald Prize and others

Yesterday, I visited the Art Gallery of NSW, to view the Archibald Prize.

I always enjoy this exhibition as you don't have to be an experienced art connoisseur or a psychoanalyst to get what is going on in the painting.

Please note the next three photographs are from the Archibald Prize website. You can view all of the finalists on this website.


The first one, is actually my favourite. By Yi Wang, "Bishop Elliott and Lady Jacqueline".

I guess I liked the story behind it. Wang had first envisaged painting the Bishop in a very formal position, but he wasn't getting the right feel for it. Then when they had lunch together, they were relaxed, and he got to see the Bishop's humorous and witty side, as well as his pet cat, Lady Jacqueline. Ok, so I do have a soft spot for cat's as well, but I think it is interesting to see the other world- the private world- in which the Bishop lives.



The second artwork: By Nafisa, "Glenn in black & white". This is the Winner of the Packing Room Prize. This is quite a big artwork, and once you see it in real life, you get to see all of the detail involved. Worthwhile to go and have a look if you get the chance.



Third artwork: By Sam Leach, "Tim Minchin". This is the Winner of the Archibald Prize. This is quite a small artwork, especially compared to all the others, but the detail is so tiny, that it really is a beautiful piece. It is painted on wood, and then has had resin applied, so when you look at it at first glance, it almost looks like it is made from a tile. I had never really seen this until yesterday, but then I realsied that there were quite a few artists that had used this technique. (shows you how often I get to visit the art galleries!)

The next few photos below, are photos which I have taken...

This next piece is quite amazing... "The Mild-Eyed Melancholy of the Lotus Eaters III 2009-10" by Raqib Shaw.




I LOVE the colours, the detail, the craziness of the whole thing! The photo above and below is just some of the detail of the whole artwork. The colours were intense, and diamantes were added to make it sparkle! It is placed in the foyer of the gallery. These colours and intensity will help to inspire me for my spring/summer collection!




It was such perfect weather in Sydney yesterday! Not a cloud in the sky. I still wore one of favourite winter outfits though- my Penelope Red Tailored Winter Dress, my new boots, and my new hat. I love winter fashion- it is always so glamorous!


I am looking forward to some of the coming exhibitions that will be at Art Gallery of NSW: Victorian Visions, Paths to Abstraction, etc.

Be sure to visit the gallery before the Archibald is leaves on the 30th May 2010.

New Fabrics for Spring and Summer

I have some new and exciting prints to show you, which will feature in my new Spring/Summer designs for 2010 and 2011. I love colour, prints and retro inspirations, so these fabrics simply sang out to me as soon as I saw them!


1st print: a polished cotton. This print I will get in Aqua as well. You can take a look at the other colour-way on the blog here.




2nd print: a gorgeous red with polka dots polyester satin. I may even use a little of this during winter for some cute blouses!




3rd print: My textile agent said that she thought of me the moment they received it- is that saying something about my taste in prints or what? Anyone who knows my style, knows I love vivid and bold prints. I think this will be fabulous in a great dress, or perhaps a halter neck top.