Shopchantal Stylefile

It’s been some time since I’ve been able to get to updating the blog. My apologies to all.  The reason is that we’ve been working tirelessing for weeks on our new location at 229 Commercial Street in Portland Maine.

Our new space has wood floors, exposed brick walls and huge ceiling beams and has a bit more of a warehouse feel than our past location.  We are now completely open on Commercial Street (less a few unpacked boxes) and our selection of designers is as amazing as ever. 

We’ve added some great new designers to the new space including Treesje and Botkier handbags, now featured on our handbag wall. More styles are arriving daily and the wall should be filled with Fall 2010 bags in no time.

A try-on seating section is close by to our new shoe displays with shoe cabinets close at hand so we can check styles and sizes quickly and easily from Joie, Pour La Victoire and  Cynthia Vincent.

Next to the handbag wall is our set of jewely cases complete with a mirror and shelving making it super easy to try on necklaces, earrings and bracelets from Streets Ahead, Gorjana, GemmaRedux, Alex and Ani and our newest ring designer, Tre.

Floating shelving makes viewing our Splendid tees and Me & Kashmiere scarves a pleasure.  For Fall and Winter, you will find these shelves stocked with gorgeous Autumn Cashmere and sweater pieces from Joie, Edun and Rebecca Taylor.

Our new cable hanging rod system makes our collection of contemporary designers like Shoshanna, Elizabeth & James, Nanette Lepore, Son of John, Monrow and so many more really easy to see and pair up with our amazing pieces of denim.

Just beyond the beautiful hanging collections is our glass cube wall filled with your favorite denim designers including Genetic, [Blank], DL1961, Current/Elliott, Rock & Republic, PRVCY premium and more to come soon.

We hope you will come visit our new space and see what’s new for collections including our expanded shoe and handbag designers.

229 Commecial Street (former Decorum space) is next door to Barbour and McKenzieTribe and across the street from Sushi Sapporo.  207.347.4427 www.shopchantal.com

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Genetic Denim

Everyone has their favorite denim style and we think that’s great, but what about giving a new style a try for 2010.  It is a new decade and a new opportunity to expand your wardrobe is quite possibly the easiest place- your denim closet.

The styles for Spring 2010 are some new trends and some carry overs from Fall that we just love. Here is a quick overview and an idea or two to inspire you to try something new.

The Denim Legging: Commonly referred to as the “Jegging“, this style comes in a variety of denim weights and tends to be in the darker ranges.  We have 4 styles of the denim legging from 4 different designers and each one is fast becoming a favorite of many.

Staff Pick: the Current/Elliott because I love the blue tone and larger pocket.

The Embellished Jean: Long standing reign over this style has been Rock & Republic, but recently we are seeing other designers throwing their versions onto the scene.  This trend ranges from studded details like the popular studded BLANK skinnie classique to prominent stitching not only on the pocket from PRVCY Premium, but elsewhere on the denim.

Most Anticipated Style for Spring: Genetic Denim’s Mesh Studded Inlay jean (AVAILABLE IN STORE NOW).  With just a hint of studded mesh peeking through on various parts of the jean, you get a bit of edge.

The Boyfriend Skinny: Not entirely new for Spring, but the versions we have and are expecting are much more refined.  Malibu’s CoCo Boyfriend Skinny is a great way to wear the skinny jean in a more relaxed style. And with a touch of cashmere in each jean, these will fast become your most- wanted denim.

Style Share: Wear this style cuffed with some Joie Oxfords or Ballet Flats for a fresh take on the Classic Hepburn look

The Denim Sweatpant: We can’t believe it ourselves, but the inspiration must be from our favorite fashion icon of all time: Carrie Bradshaw.  We saw this elastic bottom pant in Sex And The City - The Movie and almost fell off our cinema seats.  We swooned until we were finally shown the styles last year and of course, ordered it straight away.  Styled to wear relaxed with the elastic band scrunched up or worn long - all with a high heel, this is certainly going to be a new trend to watch.

See it when: Available NOW from Genetic Denim, The Val is surely giving us something new to style to show you some fun looks on the site. So far, we are having a ball.

And don’t forget about the great new washes, including the still popular distressed with paint splatters from Current/Elliott, acid wash versions, colored denim is always as a Spring trend and we are loving the crisp white denim offered in many styles this season.  Check out Blank Denim’s skinny white denim with the Ankle Zip detail.

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Heidi Montag in Genetic

Sienna Miller in Genetic

Let me start by saying, Ali Fatourechi & Shaun Hurley the masterminds behind Genetic Denim, are two of the nicest guys I’ve ever met, not to mention two of the best looking dudes I have ever met!  We love doing business with companies like Genetic:  good people, great styles, and an impressive amount of press that doesn’t hurt when trying to create a demand for a denim line.  I really can’t think of one “A-List” celebrity that I haven’t seen in these jeans at one time or another:  Jessica Simpson, Lindsey Lohan, Heidi Montag, Sienna Miller, Kate Beckinsale (also a fan of Current/Elliott), Kate Hudson, and you see what I’m saying?

It’s no surprise to me that Hollywood is busy running around in Genetic due to the super soft denim (all of our customer always say, “It feels like I am wearing pajama’s!”), great fit, and a selection of different styles (skinny all the way to sailor pant) that will keep any personality happy.  One could say this is part of their design aesthetic and branding; their logo is a double helix (yes, the kind you see when you google the term “DNA”–hence, the brand’s name Genetic).

The Shane

We eagerly await our shipments from Genetic every month (both for men & women), and are super excited about their latest wash in, arguably, their most popular style–The Shane.  A great skinny in a medium blue wash that can be worn day or night, casual or dressy.  We love it back to Joie’s New Orleans boot–super comfortable denim only makes sense paired back to an edgy, yet comfortable shoe!

So whatever your individual genetic code possesses, Genetic will be able to fill your need for that perfect jean that represents your individuality.  After all, “It’s all in your genes.”

THIS JUST IN:

See Georgina in tonight’s episode of Gossip Girl wearing the popular Shane Skinny in a black lace. This is definitely gonna be a  ”tell God the Bitch is Back” moment!

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Most of my memories of Geranium include the potted plant versions that seemed to be around every corner at every house in my neighborhood growing up.  I also happen to think my very own mother was the one who started the trend.

I love the bold color of the true Geranium red, but am finding easier to work with softer, more pink and more orange versions popping up this season.

Many of our designers did off color versions of Geranium including Rebecca Taylor, Shoshanna and Carolina Amato’s crocheted gloves for a touch of the trend.  Nanette Lepore went literal with her piece and did a true Geranium red color combo.

I happen to really like the variations in everyone’s color selections- whether it is more pink, or more orange or more blue.

I look forward to seeing more of this color for Fall.  I think it will work nicely back to black for an edgy, urban style as well as back to denim, of course.  

My favorite combo is the light wash Current/Elliott boyfriend in Hickory Stripe with an Ella Moss Black Label Carmen top and Pour La Victoire’s Sabrina Nude Heel.

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We love preparing for the new season of styles.  Prepping the racks, dressing the mannequins, planning and styling the shots of our web Lookbook and most of all, helping our customers build their wardrobes with the most important pieces of the season

We get new deliveries frequently and if you are in the neighborhood, the smell of our steamer working overtime is a good indication that new collections have arrived.

At shopchantal.com, we try to let you know as soon as we get in shipments.  Make sure to sign up for our email newsletters to get first notice!  You can always check out our “what’s new” link as well.

Just in case you missed an email or haven’t been in the store lately, here are our favs for Summer 09 and what we think are the essentials for your closet.

1. Maxi Dress

2. Nude Shoe 

3.  Silk Tee or Tank

4. Bright Dress

5. Cropped denim

6. Cardi

Just an fyi:  Feel free to call anytime at 1.877.347.5527 or email us at c.service@shopchantal.com if you ever have a question or need assistance. We are always happy to help. 

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Kate Beckinsale in Current/Elliott Tattered Destroy BF

According to those in the know, Current/Elliott has already been voted “denim line of the year”. And it is only April!

Well, we totally agree that the line is amazing.  It offers something that hasn’t been around in years . .  well, maybe ever.  A comfortable, perfectly ripped jean in a lot of different styles that really do fit.

We most recently got in a celeb fav, the new skinny jean in natural destroy denim.  See Megan Fox below!  A great denim to pair back to just about everything.  And, it’s a natural color so it’s like wearing denim, but not.  

Megan Fox in the Skinny Natural Destroy

We also love the Tattered Destroy boyfriend jean that celebs of all ages are rockin this Spring.  And the Skinny Crop has become a Chantal favorite.

We think the sheer number of celebs wearing all these styles is a testament to the brand. We are seeing more and more people wearing the line and loving it.  And to see the range of people wearing the line is so great. Everyone from moms like Gwyneth Paltrow and Kate Walsh to young hollywood types like Vanessa Hudgens and Megan Fox.

 Current/Elliott is not just a trend, but a line that has staying power.  

Shopchantal.com has had the line since it was introduced and we love every style and every wash and wear them a lot of different ways.  And, we are a group of varying ages and personal styles.

Vanessa Hudgens

So, why haven’t you tried Current/Elliott yet?  Everyone else has –and they keep coming back for more. That should count for something.  Stop by chantal. when you are in Portland Maine and try on our newest styles.  Or check them out at shopchantal.com.  You can always call and order by phone.  1.877.347.5527.

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At shopchantal.com, we have been blessed with many staffers having their own “look” and I think it is about time we celebrate this individuality and style.

Every so often, we will be posting favorite looks, designers and overall current style of one staff member. It is inevitable that you will connect with one particular staffer and will gravitate towards their choices.  We think that is awesome and want to help you get a bit more insight into what inspires them to pick what they pick to wear to work and out on the town.

We hope you will look out for this new addition to our blog.  Who knows, maybe you’ll even feel inspired to send us your favorite look from shopchantal.com and we’ll add you to our inspiration board here on the shopchantal style file.

This Month’s Staffer:  Chantal- web/store manager and buyer,  lookbook stylist, social media-aholic (especially Twitter), wife, mother and beach lover.

 A self-proclaimed “girl of the 80’s”, Chantal adores anything with zippers, hooks, pins, asymmetrical closures and hems, waist belts in every size and color and layering.  You will often see her in hats (fedoras are her fav) and scarves, always see her in Current/Elliott jeans and heels, and forever with a large handbag.  She is never without her signature “c” necklace from Alex Woo and loves rings and bracelets from Gorjana - always in multiples!

Her IPod features: The Clash, T.I., Linkin Park, M.I.A, Kanye West, Coldplay, Akon, Jay-Z, and David Bowie and more.

It is no surprise that she is obsessed with anything and everything Pencey and gets all their pieces from each delivery.

Check out Chantal’s Pencey picks for Spring and Summer available now or soon at shopchantal.com. She is wearing a Pencey top in her pic too, of course!

Pencey Slip Dress

Pencey Halter

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It’s no wonder that we’ve found it so easy to get dressed in the morning.  The new collections for Spring are so inspiring that the possibilities are endless.  What are you waiting for - pick one or pick them all and put together something uniquely yours.

From rolled denim to embellished dresses. From scarves and gladiator sandals to long chains and wrap bracelets.  From floral patterns to bright white.  Spring has something for everyone.

Check out some of our favorite celebs already embracing the Spring Trends and see our selection at shopchantal.com.

Rachel Bilson in Spring Trends

Kristen Bell in Floral Trend and Cardi

Reese Witherspoon in wrap scarf

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Celebrities, Models, Rockers: All are carrying on the trend with some new styles and patterns in colorful plaid.   

And it’s not just the men,  Women are joining in with their take on how plaid can be feminine as well as masculine.

We’re seeing the plaid shirt paired with slouchy denim and fabulous belts.  A great wrap scarf is the finishing touch along with a feminine bag.

The men are sticking with the classic styles: button up shirts, shorts and jackets from Penguin are tops on the list.  Subtle plaids with a bright, bold color thrown in for some style.

We love the classic Joie Fara top paired with the new Current/Elliott Rolled Shorts, Foley + Corinna Mid City Tote in Cherry and the Rebecca Taylor Runway booties.

shopchantal.com Lookbook

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Emily Current & Meritt Elliott

You may know know the name Current/Elliott from our shopchantal.com denim line collections, but did you know that these designers have been in the fashion circle long before they became denim designers?  They may have the most coveted denim line out there, but these stylish, savvy business women are still working hard at other endeavors.

Emily Current and Merrit Elliott have had a partnership for years as editorial stylists.  Their company is called Maude and they have styled just about every celebrity in just about every fashion mag out there. No wonder they have the coolest jeans out there and are so ahead of the trends that everyone is following them!

Check out their insider picks at one of my favorite sites: www.whowhatwear.com.  While you peruse their awesome selections, note the newest Current/Elliott Slouchy Skinny Jean in Loved Destroyed. 

Current/Elliott Slouchy Skinny Jean

We love this fit for its slouchy fit on top and slimmer fit on the bottom.  So awesome tucked in boots now and rolled up with python glad. flats for Spring.  This new collection will be available March 6th so don’t miss out.

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