The Founder of Pistola Discusses How She Established Her Brand

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      For Grace Na, who founded Pistola, fashion has always been a family affair. "From a young age, my fabulous aunt, Helen, introduced me to fashion and high fashion," Na shared. "She lived between Hong Kong and London, and every summer she would visit L.A., where she took me on her shopping trips." Na eventually entered the fashion industry through a planning role. "That was the start of my early career, focused on analyzing data and planning the business," she explained.

      However, Na's true passion lay in buying, which equipped her with the essential skills for building a brand. "That's where I truly learned about merchandising and curating the assortment, which are fundamental to a brand," Na noted. In the latest episode of The Who What Wear Podcast, Na discusses her journey into fashion, launching Pistola in 2013, tips for shopping for denim, and more.

      Here are some excerpts from the conversation:

      I'd love to hear a bit about your background. What was your relationship with fashion like growing up, and how did you choose this career path?

      From a young age, I was introduced to fashion and high fashion by my incredible aunt, Helen, who lived in Hong Kong and London. Every summer, she would come to L.A., and I spent quality time with her, joining her on shopping trips. She visited L.A. to find the latest and coolest brands. Back when Robertson Boulevard was bustling, she took me shopping at Barneys, Saks, Intermix, and other great places. Even after she returned home, she would send me her credit card and ask me to shop for anything new and exciting. This was my initial exposure to great fashion.

      Many creative directors and designers featured on this show launched their brands straight out of fashion school. It's intriguing that you had a successful career in retail buying and planning before starting your line. Could you share some insights from that experience and how it has influenced your business today?

      Having been introduced to fashion, it was always my dream to become a buyer because it involved curation and selecting products. The first opportunity I had was in a planning role, which marked the beginning of my career, focusing on data analysis and business planning. This experience was invaluable as it really taught me about the fashion business. After a couple of years in planning, I transitioned into buying, which I loved. I had a great time learning and advancing my career as a buyer, ultimately becoming VP of buying and merchandising. That's where I honed my skills in merchandising and curating the assortment, fundamental aspects of a brand.

      What tips do you have for finding the ideal pair of Pistola jeans?

      First, it’s important to read the product description; many brands indicate whether the style is meant to fit loosely or snugly. Additionally, I highly recommend looking at the model’s size and height. This helps envision how the style might look on you. If you’re a bit larger than the model, consider going up a size. If you’re looking for a relaxed fit, don’t hesitate to try a size up. If the style has stretch and you want a tighter fit, you can opt for a size down for a more fitted feel.

      Outside of jeans, what trending items do you currently offer? What are some favorites among your customers right now?

      We always aim to create lifestyle-ready pieces that pair well with our jeans, which informs our ready-to-wear collection. I'm particularly excited about the Alba Tee, which is the perfect top for complementing looser and baggier styles. We’ve crafted it from a slightly thicker cotton, making it more structured and formfitting, which pairs nicely with barrel legs and wide-leg styles.

      Our sweaters are also seeing a lot of creativity, with more color infusion that complements light-wash or mid-wash denim. Additionally, we've introduced a barrel shape in our Pippa Jumpsuit, which has been performing exceptionally well. It's about taking current denim trends and making complementary pieces to go with them.

      This interview has been edited and condensed for brevity.