Australian Glamour in HOLLYWOOD

A few weeks ago, an Australian Production Team went on an exciting trip to Hollywood to photograph the works of 4 selected Australian designers, Lucy Laurita, Vicky E Pellicca-Zamoyzaris Popovski, Maria Mezzatesta and us--Judith Penak Couture! Our best Australian master stylist, Lynette Pater, took charge of styling and coordinating dress and jewellery; supplied by Le Dain Designs. Mishel Vounatsos Bratsos, Schyler Shulkin and Kirsty Barrie did an amazing job on the hair and makeup of the gorgeous model Celeste Billinge. 

Photographer, Maurice Rinaldi and make up artist, Mishel Vounatsos Bratsos, share their thoughts on the shoot.

"It was so exciting to work with an all Australian production team in LA and help support the Australian designers like Lucy Laurita, Judith Penak, Vicky E Pelliccia-Zamoyzaris Popovski and Maria Mezzatesta. Mishel Vounatsos Bratsos, Kirsty Barrie and Schvler Shulkin on make-up and hair who got little sleep and lots of driving and put up with me for 3 weeks THANK YOU for a job well done. I must say, working with Celeste Billinge from The Old School of Modeling with no complaints, no matter what location or temperature, was lovely to work with. Let's do it again soon, you are all welcomed back! "
--Maurice Rinaldi

"I truly loved going to America. It's such a different place to Australia. Still love my hometown but in America it has a different buzz about it. It's very much on the go-go-go! Doing makeup there was fantastic. Using our Australian designer gowns was absolutely phenomenal. Doing the photoshoot out in public was fantastic. Everyone was just looking at us saying, 'what's going on? What are you shooting? Wow look at the model and outfit!'.
It was a great experience doing makeup and hair in America. I truly enjoyed the atmosphere and vibes from it. Hopefully we will be doing this again next year. Definitely something to look forward to! Plus the Australian designers can have their gowns shot overseas which is such great exposure for them!" -- Mishel Vounatsos Bratsos

La Di Da

The vibe was huge at La Di Da on Friday! International models and faboulous fashion runway! Everyone had a blast; eating, drinking and mingling with each other. I was even pulled aside for an exclusive interview!

Marilyn Monroe Impersonator video!

The final videos of the Marilyn Monroe impersonator, Alia Milano, have finally been posted!! They are absolutely astounding! The film crew, stylists, make up artists and designers all did a fantastic job to produce such a remarkable result! Check it out in the link below!

http://www.markhudsonphotography.com.au/?p=278

Alia Milano--Marilyn Monroe impersonator--and her gold star dress

This is a legendary new era for our talented Australian artisans who have been preparing for the debut of our new amazing Marilyn Monroe impersonator, Alia Milano. It is our common goal to take this great opportunity to strengthen the vision of those in their respective fields.

Stylist Lynette Pater (Left) Alia Milano (Right) 

Alia is Australia's number is Marilyn Monroe impersonator and she looked absolutely stunning in the gold sequin dress made my Judith Penak Couture, styled by Lynette Pater. With hair and make up done to the inspired look of Marilyn Monroe, Alia shone like the star she is. 

Jeff Osman is an astounding photographer and we thank him for doing such an amazing job on the day. We are looking forward to seeing the main highlights of the photoshoot and seeing yours and your teams master work on the video. 

A big thanks to outstanding stylist Lynette Pater, make up artist Mishel, Lana Velkov shoe designer, Vikola fashionista and Zeljko the limosine provider. 

Generation to generation -- Story of Karen & Bridgette

"Thirty three years ago I had my dream dress design picked out and excitedly ventured into the city to purchase the material. Along with my Aunty—my dressmaker—we purchased superb white satin, chiffon, 45 metres of sunray pleated frill and 3 metres of exquisite ‘Brussels Lace’ made in Belgium. $350 worth of beautiful material—which was a lot of money back in 1981.

The dress was made after many hours of sewing and hand stitching of the intricate pattern and placing of the lace on the dress.

On the 15^th August 1981, I wore my dream dress, it looked magnificent and I felt like a Princess.

Over all the years gone by I looked after the gown, wrapping it up in dark blue tissue paper and then placed it into my camphor wood chest. After all, this was a family heirloom made by my dear Aunt, even if I never thought in my wildest dreams it would be worn again.

There it remained until my eldest daughter Bridgette got engaged and tried it on one night. It looked magnificent and it was in perfect condition—as good, and as white, as the day I wore it. I told Bridgette that she was welcome to use any part of the gown material for her own dream dress (although if the truth was known I would have been devastated at the thought of this exquisite dress being cut up completely). To my surprise and delight, one day Bridgette said that she would love to wear my dress, but maybe she would just alter the bodice to her personality and style.

We both proceeded to put this process of altering the bodice by getting in contact with Judith from ‘Judith Penak Couture’. Bridgette explained to Judith what she wanted, and with Judith’s professionalism and expertise she developed my dream dress into Bridgette’s dream dress.

On the 15^th February 2014, 33 years and six months later, Bridgette wore mine and her dream dress when she married.

I couldn’t be more proud or thrilled that after all these years my classic dress has stood the test of time in quality and design, be it for a few alterations, and my beautiful eldest daughter Bridgette will walk down the aisle just as I did all those years ago and also look and felt like a princess.

My aunty, now in heaven, would also be proud and no doubt will be smiling and looking down on Bridgette on her special day wearing the gown she made all those years ago. Who would have thought!!!" --Karen Thomas

"I felt very special wearing my mum's (impeccably) redesigned dress.  It was great to hear that friends and family were amazed at the condition of the dress after such a long time and how timeless and classic it looked.  It made the day extra special!" --Bridgette Thomas

If you have a mums special bridal gown, visit our website to find out how we can help you! 

THE LIVE GALLERY @ THE ORCHID ROOM QV ART de JOUR by Leiela

THE LIVE GALLERY @ THE ORCHID ROOM QV

ART de JOUR by Leiela 

On the 18th of March 2014, The Live Gallery presented ART de JOUR by Leiela at the Orchid Room in QV shopping district.


The venue was stunning and we instantly were in awe walking through the striking up arch way and into the beautiful warm lit room. Everyone was dolled up in their evening best. With cocktail in hand, we made the rounds, socialising with all the designers, stylists, milliners, photographers and other specialists in the creative industry. It was a great time to make some new contacts and ultimately; new friends.

                                                     

They started off the night with an amazing ballet performance accompanied by opera singer Valantina Dobric, whose voice carried through the room and really set the mood for the night.

                                     

Following this amazing performance, started the Leiela fashion runway show. There was a mixture of themes, from formal wear to sleep wear. All the designs were beautiful and the models really worked their stuff down the runway! The accessories, hair and makeup were sensational.

                           

Overall, the night was a great time to let out our inner social butterflies and just to have some fun while enjoying what we love—fashion!

[Credit: photographs by Timothy Treasure Photography
https://www.facebook.com/TimothyTreasurePhotography]

Melbourne Cup Day!

It was an honour for Judith Penak Couture to be invited to the Myer Fashion on the Field Professional Designers Award for the 5th year in a row. It was an absolute privilege to be involved along with the 50 other entrees. Each design had its own unique taste and character.

This green and orange race wear design was our entry and we received many compliments and lots of praise from the public for its unique, eye catching design. 

The Melbourne Cup is an event that stops the nation and we were so lucky to have such perfect weather.

With over 100,000 people attending this event, it made it a truly incredible experience. 

I’d like to thank Vanne Pham from Babydolls Makeup, Hair dresser & stylists Peter Gioutsos, Andrea Augusta Jewellery Designer, our beautiful model Yanna Portnoy, Lynette Patter Fashion Stylist, Miliner Margarette Addis, Zerin Jai Osman from Lemon Jelly Photography and Jo-Anne Rofle from Vinatge Design.

Congratulations to Oscar Calvo, winner of the Myer Fashion on the Fields Designer Awards, as well as horse trainer Gai Waterhouse for winning her first Melbourne Cup.