Shopchantal Stylefile

Yes, the new Pencey is finally here and the pieces are amazing, as usual. 

Designer, Christina Minansian sent us a collection that is everything we love – swiss dot lace, black/white, stripes, and cotton jersey. Oh, and sheer, tiered, ruffled lace… in black.  OMG!

A big trend for Spring 2011, sheer is a must have for every closet next season. Get a jump on it now and be a trend setter into the new year.

I mean, really, how can you not want at least one piece, if not all, from this collection.  We can’t pick a favorite since it is all so fun, so easy to wear and so Pencey, but this piece tops our list today.

Pencey Sheer Swiss Dot Ruffle Top

The Pencey Sheer Swiss Dot Ruffle Top is everything you want in a feminine piece, but not too feminine. Cascading, tiered ruffles in a black sheer dot lace make this a statement piece all it’s own.

Be daring and wear it along or layer it over a commando tank for a more ”suitable for work” look.  We love the idea of throwing on a fitted blazer, some velvet skinnies and boots for a neighborhood get together this New Year’s Eve. Don’t forget an amazing handbag to finish the look.

Or pair it with a bandage skirt from BCBGMAXAZRIA, sheer tights and a platform pump for a sophisticated look. Of course, don’t forget the amazing jewelry from GemmaRedux to finish the look. The Alexa Earrings would be perfect with a low, side bun.

Bookmark It

Hide Sites

Being able to speak and work directly with our shopchantal.com designers is one very fortunate bonus we have as a personally owned and operated company.  And, we love that our blog gives us the chance to share our experiences with you.  

Ever wonder what inspires designers or maybe what advice they were given that helped them get to where they are?  We do too! So, we decided to ask.  We know our designers are busy so we kept our questions short and, in turn, their answers are short.   We took the liberty of adding some quick links and fun images related to their answers.  After all, we are very visual here at shopchantal.com.

We will have more Designer Interviews leading up to Fall and think you will love what the designers have to say.  Let us know if there is someone special you would like us to interview and we’ll see what we can do.

Designer Interview #1: Pencey

Everyone might know by now that shopchantal.com (specifically chantal) has a bit of an obsession with Pencey.  So, it is only fitting that our very first segment appropriately titled “Designer Interview” is with Pencey Designer, Christina Minasian.

sc:  What is your personal trademark?

CM:  Energizer bunny 

sc:  Who is your style icon? 

CM: 

sc:  Best style advice ever received? 

CM:  Do what you want!

sc:  What is your most memorable fashion success? 

CM: My greatest fashion success is when I see someone wearing pencey

Actress Leighton Meester in Pencey

sc:  What is the one item you can’t live without?

CM:  A white tee shirt

sc:  What is the most surprising fact about you? 

CM:  I love to fish

sc:  What is the one item you carry in your bag everyday? 

CM:  My starbucks discount card

sc:  Who is your favorite shopping / travel companion? 

CM: My sister

Famous Sisters: Barbie & Skipper

sc:  Who would be your favorite celebrity to dress? 

CM:  Lucille Ball

sc. What was your inspiration for your Fall ’09 Collection? 

CM: The inspiration for fall 09 was this punk girl who is kind of tough but has a sweet girly side to her that she always wants to show off.  The color pallet was very dark but the fabric and silhouettes are light to balance it out.

Thanks Christina.  Check out more Pencey shots from our recent photo shoot.

Bookmark It

Hide Sites

Pencey designer, Christina Minasian, says her wandering spirit informs every aspect of her life.

Pencey Cosmic Printed Tank available at shopchantal.com

Her career began while working as a window and interior stylist and then progressed to celebrity stylist.

True to form, Christina headed west to work more at perfecting her trendsetting style. Soon after her West Coast introduction, celebrity style mavens sought Minasian’s keen eye for design and expert skills.

Minasian is a consistently in-demand industry player among retailers, wholesalers, manufacturers and celebrities.

A self-proclaimed observer, Minasian draws inspiration from everything around her which led to the debut of her ready-to-wear collection, Pencey.

Friends, family, and travel destinations around the globe – all inform her breezy, almost fickle style. “Sometimes I want to dress like a tomboy and other days I want to feel girly and pretty,” says Christina, who tempers her whimsical designs with tailored pieces to reflect her ‘boy meets girl’ sensibility.

We think Pencey is the perfect combination for shopchantal.com as well. Our mix of everyday pieces, stylish denim, tailored tops and flirty tops alike are what we are all about. We’ve always loved the idea of mixing masculine with feminine and to also have a closet that gives us the freedom to dress one way or the other on any given day. OR to dress both in an outfit that combines pieces from shopchantal.com.

Our pick: Current/Elliot skinny slouch jeans with the Pencey Blair tank in Ultraviolet, layered with a Me & Kashmiere Enya scarf and fabulous handbag from Foley + Corinna. Edgy, Sexy and very. . . sensible.

Bookmark It

Hide Sites