About
Hi, I’m Emily Dupen, a deafened singer turned
designer and founder of Dupenny; a bespoke
illustration-led design house since 2009.
After living in Brighton for over 20 years,
I’m now renovating a 1950s bungalow
in the hip British seaside town of St Leonards-on-Sea,
with hubby Jarvis, babies Arnie & Birdie,
Jack & Reenie the Siamese cats and
Sssnakey, my pet snake of over 27 years.
On a mission to make the world smile,
my designs are illustration-based and
stem from my love of old school Hollywood
glamour, mid-century Americana, cheeky late night
cabaret shows and the golden days of red lipstick
and fully-fashioned seamed stockings.
Being a keen advocate for vintage style (not vintage
values), I find myself most influenced by the 1920s-1960s
not just in my art, but in my interior tastes,
the clothes I wear, my hair and make-up,
my choice in travel destinations and my social circle.
For me "vintage" is not just a trend,
it’s a way of life.
2024 marked 15 years since I turned my
little daydream into a business.
People warned me it would never work,
yet here I still am over a decade on.
The warm-up's been fun but I'm only just
getting started!
If you have a bespoke project in mind, please don't
hesitate to get in touch.
I welcome creative projects, big or small,
from custom colour-ways to bespoke patterns
and design licensing.
You can see some of my most recent projects here.
Awards & Achievements
Victoria & Albert Museum, London
A selection of Dupenny wallpapers are held in the Wallpaper Archives of the V&A Museum in London, England.
Current
Winner - Best Retro Wallpaper & Accessories Designer
Southern Enterprise Awards
2021
Coast to Capital Business Grant
January 2021
ADEX Award Winner
Retro 1950s cocktail cabinet refurbished and decorated using Dupenny quirky Potions Wallpaper.
March 2015
Subversive Design at Brighton Museum
Dupenny wallpapers were selected and exhibited alongside the works of Vivienne Westwood, Alexander McQueen and Damien Hirst for a second time.
2013
Book Feature - 'The Walls are Talking: Wallpaper, Art and Culture'
Dupenny's 50's Housewives Wallpaper featured in a book publication named 'The Walls are Talking: Wallpaper, Art and Culture', available to purchase worldwide.
2010
Walls Are Talking at the Whitworth Art Gallery
Dupenny wallpapers were selected and exhibited alongside the works of Vivienne Westwood, Alexander McQueen and Damien Hirst
2010
Shortlisted - Elle Decoration British Design Awards
September 2009
Dupenny Boudoir - Hotel Pelirocco
Hotel Pelirocco in Brighton (UK) features a vintage inspired boudoir styled by Dupenny. Showcasing the famous Dupenny black & white burlesque wallpaper, artworks and bathroom tiles it showcases our passion for all things pin-up, retro, curious and a little bit cheeky.
Current - you can still stay in our Boudoir!
Winner - Shell Livewire Grand Ideas Award
May 2009
Shortlisted - Elle Decoration British Design Awards
2009