Lisa Penney a.k.a. Hey Reflect’o has become synonymous with both chic street/cycle style, and safety Hi-Vis wear in South Australia. At this weekend’s Bowerbird Design Market, Lisa will be unveiling her latest designs, so be sure to visit the Adelaide Showground to check them out! In our latest spotlight, Lisa tells us about about her favourite artists (all from The Mill!), and what she hopes to branch out in.
Q: What do you see as the major goal of Hey Reflect’o?
A: I want to save the world by changing people’s perspective on cycling. Cycling is fun and it’s not hard to lose the car and ride to your destinations (especially in Adelaide.) I don’t have a car or license and I ride in all weather conditions. Society has told us that we need a car and we don’t. A change of mindset is a must, not just for the sake of helping the environment, but for better health as well.
Q: Who are your favourite artists or designers?
A: No one in particular. I love the work of my colleagues at The Mill – Sarie Tardif, Peter Fong, Tom Borgas, and Lucas Croall to name a few.
Q: One of your first vest designs is an homage to the work of Piet Mondrian. Are any of your other designs influenced by specific artists or artistic movements? What else inspires your work?
A: I find inspiration from the every day world i.e. Telstra has a grey cement man hole cover that I see everyday on the foot path when I ride my bike. My latest design Confetti was inspired by that. No one would recognise the Telstra lid on my vest and when I tell someone, their usual response is “that’s smart!”. It does look completely different so please don’t accuse me of copyright infringement. I wish I could put a photo in this interview of it. It’s funny!
Also, many of my vests are collaborations with other artists of whom I’m a big fan. I have been wearing one of the new vests designed by tattoo artist Jaya Suartika who is from The Mill (of course.) I love it! It’s a whole new level of Hi-Vis!
Q: You started out producing high-vis vests and have since branched out into backpack covers and sleeves as well. What might be next?
A: Jackets, socks and bow ties!
Q: Can you tell us anything about the new range of Hey Reflect’o designs launching this year?
A: They are waistcoats now and not vests. They have a new shape, more tailored, and clasped with a simple magnet. The shape allows for extra comfort. It flares out, allowing room for cycling legs AND if you’re feeling a little bloated in the stomach, the vest is quite giving down there.
Q: What is your favourite gallery?
A: The Mill Gallery where I work. All my friends exhibit there. And I can attend 99 % of them.
Q: If you had to give up one sense (sight, hearing, taste, smell, or touch), what would you choose?
A: Well it can’t be sight because of what I do and love i.e. cycling and making cool cycling gear.
It would have to be smell. Smell is pretty useless there is a gas leak.
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