Penelope's Inspiration
I design footwear to fall in love with and stay in love with. When designing new collections, I ask myself whether they would make you feel free to stride out, to ‘go anywhere and do anything’.
Some styles become ‘old friends’ that I wear daily till they die, while others become favourites that I don’t wear enough. Neither should be superfluous, none are meant to be a one-night-only purchase. They are built to be dependable, with destinations and celebrations of life at the heart of my inspiration.
Homespun
For this Autumn Winter season we tell a personal family story of Penelope and her daughters at home in the English countryside. A true ‘Family Affair’, both daughters play an integral part of the business, with Africa part of the production team and Gemma styling the brand’s seasonal campaigns, this is the first time the family have stepped in front of the camera to act as faces of the brand. With countless references to layering of handmade, artisanal textures and home interior comforts such as pottery, woollen fabrics and rich velvets, the new collection for Autumn Winter’ 20 all come seamlessly together in a special ‘Homespun’ campaign.
The campaign seamlessly shows the family element that so many people have experienced throughout lockdown. Escaping the cities, time with loved ones and taking this time to return to the slow way of working, from home and with local businesses and collaborators including Tinsmiths fabrics and Oka interiors that have contributed to the shoot. You will see Tinsmith’s cosy tartan fabrics styled as plush picnic blankets in Penelope’s country garden, and Oka’s kitsch interiors placed in homely scenes in the drawing room and kitchen. Penelope is pictured alongside her daughters Africa and Gemma amongst domestic scenes of boot rooms, kitchen tables, country gardens and rolling fields. Resonating an essence of realness that is warm, cosy and safe.
The collection sees many of our core, signature styles including the velvet slippers, embroidered with the token acorn motif. The favourite Rodriquez boot comes back yet again this season in a stunning deep navy blue; and the Geographer Boot with the characteristic red laces are the new answer to our best selling pioneer boot. We have also expanded the equestrian boot collection; the Posada boot joins the collection alongside the infamous long-tassel boot.
As we begin a new season, I am excited to share this personal chapter with you, celebrating family and home life, from our new home in the heart of the English countryside. This is a homespun, family affair where my two daughters and I have joined together to show you a new collection, the way we like to wear it, and in the setting where I imagine it to be worn.
