For over 85 years, Sussan has been celebrating the spirit of Australian women. Our ‘For Women. By Women.’ series highlights the remarkable women behind the brand, whose creativity and expertise shape everything we do.
Meet Penny, our Marketing and Production Coordinator. With a keen eye for styling and a passion for storytelling, she showcases each collection in ways that inspire our customers to see their wardrobe in a new light.
How does your role contribute to the world of Sussan?
Having a role like mine is super special as I get to work with so many people within Sussan and contribute to many areas of the business.
I especially love how, when styling each collection for our website imagery, I can channel our customer to show her how to wear our pieces in ways she might not have considered while also using my marketing and storytelling background to bring the garments to life.
What does an average day look like in your role?
An average shoot day will start with coffee and then into hair and makeup, where I brief the artist on the look and feel of the collection and the specific model we are using.
I will then head over to chat through the day with the stylist. We will discuss the looks, accessories, priorities, garment features, shot counts for the day and the general flow to hit our target.
I will then brief the photographer on lighting, propping and coding.
Once the model is ready, we will do a lighting test, and I will run the model through the vibe I am after and a little art direction. From there, we are shooting until 4 pm, and it’s a wrap!
What excites you most about your role?
The creativity and collaboration that goes into it. Every shoot is like a puzzle—pulling together the right pieces, whether it’s the outfits, the props, the lighting, or the vibe you’re going for. It’s all about telling a story through visuals, and I love how each shoot can feel totally different depending on the mood and theme.
It’s all about empowerment, supporting each other, and ensuring women’s voices and perspectives are front and centre. Thinking about what we like and need out of our wardrobes and making sure that is shown through our work.
What is the best piece of advice you have received from another woman?
“Trust yourself and be your number one fan”. It sounds simple, but it really stuck with me. As women, we can sometimes second-guess ourselves or shrink back in certain situations, whether it’s at work or in our personal lives. This advice reminded me that it’s okay to own my voice, my ideas, and my place in any room.
How do you balance work and home life?
Being a new mum of a 14-month-old, I find that work-life balance is the most important thing for my family and me right now. Luckily, I have an amazing manager who wants her team to succeed within their roles and genuinely cares about her team members. She supports us as much as possible to have the right work-life balance for our personal situation, which helps us excel within our roles and give the business our best selves. Having an approachable and caring manager makes such a difference in having a great work-life balance.
How do you unwind at the end of the workday?
Taking my dog to the dog park, getting fresh air and being surrounded by nature is my ultimate wind down.
Who are the women you are inspired by?
The amazing women I work with every day are definitely the ones that inspire me the most. I have really noticed how a great attitude and friendly face can help turn your day around and how working together for a common goal will always inspire you to do your best.
This month, our campaign is Embrace Your Magic. How do you personally connect with the idea of ’embracing your magic’ through fashion during the festive season?
For me, ’embracing my magic’ in the festive seasons is all about dressing for comfort with a festive flair! Cotton and linen fabrications in super fun reds are what I am channelling this year!
What elements and design features of this collection encourage women to feel more confident and vibrant?
I would say comfort and functionality are the main features of this collection that the design team focused on that will resonate with our customers.
What’s your go-to outfit when you want to feel bold and ready to celebrate?
If I want to feel bold, I wear colour. I am usually more of a black-and-white or neutral-toned girl. So, for a fun occasion and a bold look, I will add some colour to my outfit or even a fun floral.
