above from left to right: Colleen Super High Rise Slim Boot and Stassi Blazer; Mandy Denim Shacket and Lexi Mid Rise Bowed Straight in Satellite; Reese Sheer Shirt in Dark Roast, Joy Sweater in Dark Roast and Lana High Rise Ultra Wide in Gallery
As Pistola expands and celebrates a decade, Founder and Creative Director Grace Na‘s street-smart sensibility elevates everyday essentials.
Samantha Yanks: You have a long family history in the denim business. Tell us a bit about that and how you transitioned from planning into the denim world?
Grace Na: My husband’s family has been in the denim business for close to 35 years. My early career after college was in merchandise planning, and I moved into the buying and merchandising role as I loved the product so much. When my husband and I were getting serious, my now-mother-in-law saw how quickly it was growing, how much I had a passion for fashion and retail, and encouraged me to join the family business and build something of my own. Given their extensive background in denim, it felt very natural to utilize their knowledge and resources in this very specific industry to start a denim lifestyle collection of my own.
SY: What inspired the name Pistola?
GN: It really stemmed from the attitude of the phrase “she’s a pistol.” It encompassed the spirit of the type of woman who inspires me. Bold, courageous, smart and someone who carves out their own path; a woman who forges the life she wants.
SY: What are the core denim styles in the lineup?
GN: The Cassie and Lexi are straight legs and fits that we’ve become known for, but with the recent surge of barrel legs, our Eli Comfort stretch crooned barrel and and Wes cotton ankle barrel are current best sellers in the line.
SY: Pistola just turned 10! Congratulations. I see you moving more into the lifestyle space than just denim, giving us pieces that are perfect to pair with denim. Is that the goal?
GN: One hundred percent, that is our goal. Our woman is busy and we want to make it easy for her by offering a compelling ready-to-wear assortment that perfectly pairs back to our denim. Try the Dani cardigan with our high-rise barrels (and a belt), or the Adina crew neck back to a straight leg for a very effortless, classic look.
Available at B Chic Boutique at 78 Old Ridgefield Rd, Wilton and Winged Monkey at 384 Post Rd E, Westport.