A new design: A Penelope Red Pleated Wrap Knit Dress

A week ago, I was in a design slump... I wasn't feeling very creative after having spent so much time on the computer! I needed to get enthusiastic and excited again, and my hubby, being the supportive and encouraging guy that he is, suggested, "Remember that fabric I bought for you from San Francisco? Why don't you make something that is just for you?"

I had been thinking of a wrap around dress out of the printed silk jersey fabric he gave me, and the dress pictured in these photos is what I came up with!



It is such a stunning fabric, and the print suited the dress perfectly. The print was arranged in panels, so there was a border or stripe running across it every 90cm. I had to be very careful how I create the pattern, otherwise I would have a stripe running across my body in a very unflattering position!

So I used the stripes as contrast on the dress- a stripe going down the side front; ties that go around the waist; and the cuff on the sleeve. It also features pleats at the shoulder, on the front skirt panel and the centre back top panel.

My husband bought the jersey knit red floral printed fabric over a year ago, when he was in San Francisco. I had asked him to visit a shop that had FOUR floors of fabric, which I had found previously. He knows how to win my heart!



I think I might make a short sleeved version of this wrap around dress for Spring, in a red and contrast. I also hope to find a suitable print- as this dress is so beautiful in a print.

I wore this dress out for the first time on Saturday night, and it made me feel like a million dollars! I can't wait to wear it again!

Behind the scenes at The Red Flora Photo Shoot

Again, it has been a while since I last posted... I have been so busy creating a new collection of designs, and time just slips away!

So here are some snap shots from the behind the scenes of the latest photo shoot... and a few of the professional ones at the end.



We decided that curls, braids and flowers would go nicely with the clothing. To take a look at my inspiration for The Red Flora Collection, please look here.





I had this idea for a group shot, and it is always very hard to get what I have in my head, out into reality, but it worked!





We didn't realise during the middle of our shoot, that the children from the local school would be our backdrop! I think they had fun at least.




The idea was a sophisticated, Penelope Red picnic.





the park had these amazing views!




So from 8am til 3:30pm we fussed and worked our butts off- not to mention the numerous days of work I put in to create the designs.

And this is what we came up with... ( a little sneak peek of some of the shots):







Photographer: http://mattlanham.com/

Make Up Artist: Naomi Meyer, ph: 0411351322

Hair Stylist: Lisa Mitchison, ph: 0412776836

Models:

Letitia: http://www.modelmayhem.com/1793469

Carmen: http://www.modelmayhem.com/2132051

Ebony: http://www.modelmayhem.com/765640

Ms. Red Flashback part 8: photos of my previous work

This was the first ever professional photo shoot that featured my Penelope Red designs. It was so exciting to see my designs come alive in front of the camera, and it gave me the confidence to start dreaming BIG!


The designs featured in this collection are a part of "The Red Sun Collection", which can be found on the Penelope Red Website.


I am currently organising another shoot for the Spring/Summer Collection for 2011-2012, and it is nice to look back and see where the Penelope Red photo shoots started.


I was lucky to work with some very talented people in this shoot:

Photography: Milena from I Love Wednesdays
MUA: Nat Biller Make Up
Model: Amy Lyn Cage


The designs included in this collection:

Photo 1- Coral Kimono

Photo 2- Tokyo Sydney Wrap Around Catsuit in a floral print

Photo 3- Monet Printed Pleated Blouse & White Flared Shorts

Photo 4- Black on Black Bustier Top & Mint Blue Skies Skirt

Photo 5- Orange Floral Corset

Photo 6- Paris Bow Top

Photo 7- Vintage Printed Kimono

All of these designs have been sold out- of course- and I have created more exciting designs since. You can find more designs available to purchase in the Penelope Red Australian Dollar Big Cartel Online Shop or the American Dollar USD Etsy Online Shop.

Kiran's Sari-Inspired Wedding Dress, Part 3: East meets West

A while ago, I started to design and create a wedding dress for my friend, Kiran. I now have some photos from the day to show you the finished dress!

Kiran and I both agreed that we wanted to include her Indian-Australian culture in this design, so as the name of this post implies, we mixed a little bit of east and west culture into the dress. I created a western style dress, using the eastern beaded sari and created an eastern influenced over skirt.

You can take a look at part 1 and part 2 of this dress, where you can see the making of, and how it all started. Also, I have now created videos of the making of this design, and you can view them on the Penelope Red youtube channel here. There are three parts to the video.




The wedding took place in Byron Bay, Australia.



I am so happy with how it turned out! I couldn't have asked for a more beautiful lady to wear this design, as I think Kiran looks perfect in it.


The dress awaiting its big debut!



The happy couple!


The back of the dress was going to be just as important as the front, since during the ceremony most people see this. I decided to create this interesting contrasting panel on the overskirt in pink, and make some really interesting shapes from it. There is beading all over the sari, a beaded trim at the back hem of the over skirt, and beading on the back of the dress, at the top.



I think it is almost safe to say that this is probably my most favourite design I have ever done so far, or at least in the top two or three. I have to admit, my tailored coats or winter dress do come very very close, but I can't help but love the decadence of this design!


If only I could find an excuse to make another one for myself!

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!