New Inspiration: Sonja Delaunay

This Spring and Summer I am looking forward to focussing on the artwork of Sonja Delaunay. A few years ago I was very fortunate to see some of her artworks, along with many other artists at the art gallery of NSW. I instantly loved the bright colours! I have always been a huge colour fan, and I could imagine using aspects of Sonja's work in many different ways: colour combinations, prints and motifs. Here are a few examples...

Distractions

Yet again, it has taken me way too long to update this blog. For a while it was because I simply was too busy with work orders- yay me! After the Penelope Red fashion parade in September last year, I started hosting tea parties to help showcase my work, and offer customers a more personal way to share my designs, which then kept me very busy indeed!

And then we found out we were expecting a new addition to our family! My little son, David, was born in late July, and now I am so busy, I haven't even had time to tidy up the work room, let alone design or sew anything. I have spent the last 7 weeks getting to know my little David, and it has been great having the time off, as well as having no pressure from my hubby to resume work.

 I guess there is only pressure that I am placing on myself- I can't help but still want to design and create. Eventually I will ease back into work, but it won't be for a while, as I love spending time with my munchkin!

Since I need to get up at the crack of dawn anyway to feed David, I hope to continue with this blog. It will give me a chance to be creative, while I can still spend time with my little guy! Wish me luck!

New Fabrics for Autumn Winter Collection 2012

Since the upcoming Penelope Red Autumn/Winter Collection will be inspired by Picasso artworks and Ballet Russe costumes, you can imagine that there will be a lot of decoration, embellishment and decadence! I can't wait!



The images included in this posting show some of the fabrics I am planning to use in this collection.


I have been very lucky to obtain quite a few vintage fabrics.

-Photo 1: a vintage organza with a squiggle lined texture, and a red wool blend
-Photo 2: a vintage 100% wool check, and a cream stretch lace
-Photo 3: a vintage pleated organza in black, and a silver, black, cream and brown jacquard.



The above photo shows two wool blended fabrics that I will be blending together to make a design- the colours look amazing together!


Above, shows a black and blue jacquard, and a vintage red fringed metallic fabric- this fabric will be a real challenge to use, but i am looking forward to seeing what I can come up with!


I will be using a collection of vintage buttons, that have been handed down to me from my husband's family. Most of these buttons have come from Russia, so they will fit nicely in this theme!


Below is a brand new lace which I just simply LOVE! It is such a statement and very dramatic- so I had to have it for this collection!


I can't wait to start designing the new designs! They will be gradually created over the Summer break, and I will try to post my work-in-progress photos as I go.

Picasso Exhibition at the Art Gallery of NSW and my Inspiration for the Autumn/Winter Collection 2012

Last week I was in desperate need of some inspiration and motivation. My husband suggested that I visit the art gallery, and I remembered that there is a Picasso Exhibition on at the Art Gallery of NSW in Sydney. It was the perfect excuse to go!

I have to admit, I have never really been a huge fan of Picasso, and if given the choice, I would much rather see an exhibition on antiques, ceramics or classical paintings, rather than most modern artists. This being said, I still enjoyed seeing this exhibition, and since then it has given me some ideas!!!

I personally really enjoyed the brighter paintings, e.g. "Portrait of Dora Maar" (image below), where Picasso used lots of yellow, purple, red, green, blue, and heavy black outlines.



It just so happened that the outfit I was wearing that day was in very similar colours to this painting- so I guess it was meant to be that I would like this one!



Another painting I really enjoyed was "Large still-life on a pedestal table". Again because of its bright colours.




I have been thinking about my upcoming Autumn Winter 2012 Collection, and I think a little Picasso inspiration will be just the thing to blend with my Ballet Russe inspiration! I could imagine a lot of assymetrical lines, bright colours against black, and geometric shapes as my Picasso influence. Then I would add ideas of embroidery, trims, fur, and some special Russian vintage buttons that I have collected to the mix. I can't wait!!!

The images of the Picasso paintings in this post are from the Art Gallery NSW website. I encourage everyone who is interested in the creative arts to visit the exhibition while these masterpieces are close enough to our shores!

The Red Flora Fashion Parade Video

I am very excited to show to you the video of the Red Flora Fashion Parade! The parade took place during one night only in September, and it was the very first ever of its kind for Penelope Red. I finally feel like my Penelope Red designs are going somewhere!

The video, created very kindly by David Tan-Lu, highlights the latest Spring and Summer designs from Penelope Red, however, because I make very limited edition designs of everything, I am currently creating more- as some of the designs in the parade have already sold out!

It was a fantastic night of fashion, glamour, and shopping, and the video is the best way to see exactly what happened. You can watch the video of the parade above or watch the Penelope Red first ever fashion parade on youtube here. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DCEm7FG7JA0

Take a look at photos from the parade on the blog here: http://penelopered.blogspot.com/2011/11/photos-from-new-red-flora-collection.html

or the website here: http://www.penelopered.com/redfloraparadeone.html

The models featured in the parade are Monique Keenan-Norton, Olivia Stiefel, Deedee and Irina from BGM models.

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.

Photos from the new Red Flora Collection Fashion Parade!

I'm ba-ack!!! Yes, it has been a long while since I posted anything... perhaps these photos will explain why!

I recently held a fashion parade, in Sydney, to launch my latest Penelope Red range, The Red Flora Collection! What a night!!! Y'know when you have had a dream that you wanted to fulfil since you were really young, and when you finally have it fulfilled, you feel like crying? Well, there were a few tears shed by me that night, and I was amazed by the response that everyone had to the designs. It was such an exciting whirl-wind of a night!

The below photos were taken by Johnny Yip. If you would like to see more, please take a look at the official gallery, on my website!



The girls all dressed, made up and ready to go... my nerves were really heightened at this point in time!

We decorated the venue with candles, lanterns, tea lights, and flowers.

Introducing the lovely Olivia... Naomi Meyer was the make up artist for Olivia and Irina.



And the very sweet Deedee...


And the quiet and calm Monique...


Lucy Topp Makeup created the make up for Deedee and Monique, as well as myself. I needed a little extra help that night, as my skin exploded throughout the course of the preparations.





The backstage crew... Lucy, Lisa, Olivia, Melissa, Monique, Me, Naomi, Deedee, Irina, and Leanne.

Introducing Irina!


The Red Orchid Lace Dress was originally in the multi-coloured lace, but it has sold out. Now I have created it in another red lace and red knit. You can take a look at it in the online shop here.


The kimono that Irina, above, is wearing sold that very night. It was a one of a kind creation, hand made from two vintage fabrics and a vintage braid... beautiful!


Well, I had to say something... after I composed myself!


Olivia wears the Hibiscus Halter Neck Dress, handmade from a stunning 100% cotton print (and cotton lining). It is now available in the shop online.



After the parade, guests were invited to view the latest collection...




So many beautiful colours and fabrics!



My friend, Melissa, and myself... once we had a chance to relax! Melissa was such a great help- just what I needed!


Miss Lucy Topp creating that flawless make up she does so well!