Tell me a little bit about your journey?

I grew up in Sydney and in a big, wild family of eight that eventually became a big broken one when was 18. I left home and went to Uni in the country, took a break for a while and then finished my degree in Communications back in Sydney in 2009. By then i had a boyfriend i loved a lot and had started modelling which allowed me to graduate and essentially never need to use the thing again.. I travelled the world for a long time and lived on and off in London and New York over about a seven year period. An illness brought me back then found me in Byron in an attempt to pick up my pieces in 2015, where i ended up creating a totally new life. She’s not an easy place to live but i’ve figured once you have you can’t un-live her. Five years on i’m still here (or back again). 

But basically i’ve been a sports journalist, model, agent and producer and now i’m dipping my toes into writing and the food world.

What is your interpretation of femininity? 

To me, it's leaning into what feels good.. pleasure.. and embracing the parts of myself that were conditioned otherwise. Slowing down, feeling my feelings and maybe sharing them too, with my loved ones or with the world, owning and taking care of myself mind, body, spirit. Wearing mens clothes and watching television. From this space i feel my most “feminine."

What part of your job makes you feel most alive and why?

The travel for sure. And just being on set. I have always been fascinated with the creative process and wanted to be a part of it since i was a small person. It’s cool that with the people i’ve been fortunate enough to work with over the years that i’ve got to see a glimpse. 

How do you feel when wearing your Innes Lauren swimwear?

What first came up for me is that i feel held.. the quality is undeniable. I also just feel expensive.. and dare i say like a woman who has her shit together of which my reality presents far from this. Lastly i feel like i’m doing the right thing, investing in a piece that has been made responsibly. In my opinion there is absolutely no place in the market, or the world for that matter for goods and services that aren’t sustainably focused anymore.

What’s a personal ritual for you? 

You’re talking to the right person because i’m basically a walking ritual. I guess one of my most important and respected rituals happens in the morning. I go out for coffee - everyday - and sit in a cafe, usually the same one but i’ll mix it up on maybe Friday and Saturdays where i'll go to two other places i only go to on a Friday or Saturday (lol). I may or may not also pair it with a pastry, however Saturdays are for Pain au Chocolat’s in particular. 

I feel like i sound like a very bougie white woman here.. although i’m very aware of my freedom and how fortunate i am to enjoy these actually quite grand pleasures and am grateful for it, every day at around 8.00am. ;)

What does summer mean to you and what is your favourite summer memory? 

Time off, nice drinks and lots of time in the ocean.. an obligation to tend it almost. I love the sea and being close to it and have a hard time trying to avoid getting in it wherever i am or go. 

I spent a lot of time in Byron growing up and is the reason why i chose it to eventually as my home, because it was the second place i knew the most after Sydney where i was obviously born. Summers spent here swimming and being burnt out of our brains, carrot cake from Jonson St bakery after the beach, nachos and pink lemonade at the Beach Hotel at night, racking up a bill with the Hotel’s video rental a little later on and when Dad had a good year. Heaven.

I swear the water was bluer back then too.

Penelope is pictured wearing - Comporta One Piece and the Rapallo Bikini

Photography by Morgan Munday