Penelope graduated from The Red and Yellow Creative School of business in Cape Town with Merit (distinction) in 2015. With her student work recognised by The Loerie Awards, she went on to intern at Saatchi & Saatchi, working on large brands such as Acer, Sunglass Hut and KPMG.

 

Profiled as one of ‘Cape Town’s Top Design Graduates’ in Design Times Magazine (12/2015), she went on to work as an Art Director at Night Vision Spaces. During that time she collaborated with brands such as Absolut, Jameson and many other Pernod Ricard brands. Penelope then went on to work at Inhouse Design Studio where she worked internally on the brand, as well as for a wide array of clients such as Berman Brothers, Nike and many more.

 

In 2019 she worked alongside Wild Olive African Artisans, mastering the art of packaging design and putting her illustrational side to work. While freelancing at the same time, she was inspired to travel and work independently in Europe over a couple months. 

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After a successful 6 months abroad in Greece, Penelope returned to Cape Town. Inspired by the beauty and simplicity of Mediterranean trends, the idea of Thira Jewellery was born. 

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Penelope launched her online jewellery store amidst the first Covid lockdown in 2020. Thira has since become her baby and new passion, which has grown significantly in a very short period of time. Find the links below to access her personal portfolio, as well as the Thira Jewellery website.