Style, Substance & Sustainability: A Conversation with Stylist Pen

From playing dress-up in her mum’s wardrobe to travelling the world with major fashion brands, Penelope Cadzow has built a career rooted in a deep love of style, textiles, and self-expression. Now a personal stylist and content creator, she’s helping women shop with confidence and outfit with ease, and we were lucky enough to sit down with her to talk about what drives her creativity, her styling essentials, and the IDA+S pieces she's currently loving.

From Pocket Money to Paris

“I've always loved fashion,” she says. “As a kid, I was always saving up my pocket money to go shopping and sewing my own clothes.” That passion led her to study Textile Design at RMIT, where she fell in love with the intricacies of fabric; how it's made, the fibres that bring it to life, and the thoughtful craftsmanship behind each piece.

She then worked in design and development for some of Australia’s most beloved fashion labels. “I learned so much about what it takes to bring a design from a sketch to store. It gave me such respect for the process, choosing fabrics, deciding on quantities, manufacturing, labelling, packaging... It's a huge journey.”

In 2018, she launched her own business, combining her industry know-how with a desire to make getting dressed easier, more enjoyable, and more empowering for women.

Pivotal Moments & Personal Highlights

There’s been no shortage of pinch-me moments throughout her career. “Seeing my designs in stores and campaigns is always surreal,” she says. “And I was lucky enough to travel to Paris and New York for work in my 20s.”

More recently, she’s found fulfillment closer to home — through the connections she makes with women in 1:1 sessions, workshops, and brand collaborations. “One highlight I’ll never forget was meeting Trinny Woodall. She’s been a huge inspiration for me since the Trinny & Susannah days!”

Keeping Creativity Real in a Fast-Moving World

How does she stay grounded in an industry that’s always moving? “Honestly, I feel lucky to have had such a solid foundation. I’ve worked with so many amazing people in both big and small brands, and all of that shapes how I approach fashion today.”

She channels that experience into the work she does now, sharing styling tips, creating engaging content, and reminding women that fashion doesn’t have to be overwhelming. “I think creativity comes from understanding the whole picture, not just how something looks, but how it feels, fits, and makes you feel.”

The 3 B’s: Her Go-To Styling Tips

We had to ask: what are her top three styling tips for instantly elevating a look?

“I recently shared a video on the ‘3 B’s’: Blazer, Blush and Bling!”

Blazer: “The quickest way to take an outfit from OK to fabulous.”
Blush: “Gives you that glow — like you’ve had a full night’s sleep, even when you haven’t.”
Bling: “A statement earring, necklace or bag can really tie a look together.”

Why Fabric Always Matters

As someone with a background in textile design, she’s passionate about sustainability and natural fibres, a core value at IDA+S.

“I always gravitate towards cotton and linen in warmer months, and merino wool and cashmere when it’s cold. Natural fibres are more breathable, better for the planet and feel so much better on your skin. When you invest in quality, you tend to buy less and wear it more.”

Falling for IDA+S

Having recently explored the IDA+S collection in person, she shared the three pieces that captured her heart — and how she’d style them:

Andy Wool Pullover: “So luxe in cream and incredibly warm without being itchy — and reversible! It’s a dream.”
Sienna Wool Blend Suit Jacket & Pants: “It’s so rare to find wool in suiting, and this set is divine. The fit is incredible, the fabric is soft yet structured, and I love that you can wear the pieces together or as beautiful separates.”