We fell in love with… Cassandra Pennisi of Cassandra Pennisi Designs
Meet our new designer crush: Cassandra Pennisi. Born out of the designers love for illustration and the freedom which fashion allows, Cassandra Pennisi is a fashion label with a very distinctive edge. Her designs mix elegant charm with flattering sophistication while employing a unique take on classic styles and creating timeless keepsakes. Dreaming of her romantic collections and feminine designs, we scheduled in a conference call with the up-and-coming designer to get to know her a bit better.
A Queensland native, Cassandra grew up living a very enriched childhood full of outdoor adventures and simple pleasures. She studied design, specialising in fashion, at Whitehouse Institute of Design in Melbourne where she earned her degree. It wasn’t until she interned for Maticevski & Nevenka that she realised her true passion would be in creating a label of her very own, and that is exactly what she did. She is a firm believer in supporting local industry and manufactures all garments within Australia.
Cassandra Pennisi is a label all about passion, confidence, beauty, and the strong belief that fashion is an expression of you as an individual. “As a designer I am able to explore the vast possibilities in garment design through silhouette, detail and fabrication,” says Cassandra. “I chose to become a designer because of the freedom it allows and the hands on nature of the industry.”
The label’s inspiration is sparked from Cassandra’s love of adventures, vast landscapes, art, books, nature, music, films, and the surroundings of her existence. Cassandra feels colour schemes found in nature are where her colour inspiration is drawn.
A typical day in the life of Cassandra Pennisi involves marketing strategies, social media, design sketches, pattern making, and lots of communication with manufacturers, retailers, and media. The most critical aspect of her creative execution is taking the collection from the design phase through to the sampling process, which involves working very closely with the manufactures to ensure the samples are perfect.
“She is a woman conscious of personal presentation and aspires to feel confident and beautiful in the garments she wears,” says Cassandra when we ask her to tell us about the Cassandra Pennisi woman. “She is actively mobile within her life and career. She is social; attending events, dining out, and enjoying travel. She is an informed individual who is aware of her surroundings and wider community through internet, radio, news, and social media platforms.”
Above all, Cassandra is dedicated to designing garments and creating pieces that can be treasured for seasons to come. The Cassandra Pennisi woman is conscious of the latest trends but not dependent as she appreciates timeless styles and creates her own look unique to her. “She has a deep appreciation for high quality materials and of their transparent manufacturing process, knowing the garments are made ethically,” she tells YCB.
For Cassandra Pennisi, all garments are meticulously finished, fabrics are luxe, and designs are modern interpretations of classic styles reflecting fresh, feminine and flattering pieces. ”I believe all of these aspects contribute to making each of our collections stand out,” she tells YCB.
For those of us who want to achieve a classic and chic look without breaking the bank, Cassandra has some amazing tips. “Find your staples and go-to classics that can be styled in different ways,” she explains. “Complement your investment pieces with seasonal pieces at a lower price. Try to purchase quality over quantity. Well-made garments will serve you better over time; making your look polished and sophisticated as the quality will be evident.”
Most of us experience fashion awareness in the same manner – obsessively refreshing our browsers for the latest street-style snaps and style cues for the next season. Add Cassandra Pennisi to your list of fashion designer showstoppers this year.
By now you have most likely completely fallen in love with Cassandra and her label just like we have.
Be sure to follow Cassandra Pennisi on social media and shop the collection on the label’s recently launched website: http://cassandrapennisi.com.au
