Stylist Profile | Meet Penina
Here at Jackie, we value our stylists and are always looking for candidates who are a perfect fit for our team, and Penina is just that! With her incredible attention to detail and her ability to understand clients' unique tastes, she has quickly become an invaluable member of our styling team. She has been with us for just over a year and we have loved every minute.
What sets Penina apart from others, in my opinion, is her ability to listen to her clients attentively and pick pieces that complement their lifestyles. She truly gets what they want to accomplish with their wardrobe and dresses them accordingly. Without fail, Penina wows her clients every time they have the pleasure of working with her. I am always encouraging our stylists at Jackie to study brands and trends and Penina doesn’t just study them, she is a walking billboard for Jackie at all times.
Most people think Jackie is a clothing company but the more we get into this business, the more I feel we specialize in personal branding overall and it starts with wardrobing people with a look that becomes their own and building on that look. If you are so lucky to get to experience Penina as your stylist, she will help you build a personal brand that stands out in a crowd. She’s just that good.
- Amber Duncan, CEO
Where did you go to school, what did you study, and did you do any internships?
I went to Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN. I majored in Human and Organizational Development with a specialization in Leadership and Organizational Effectiveness and minored in Psychology. I did an all-encompassing, immersive internship at a very prominent Nashville boutique called Alexis + Bolt where I solidified my desire to work in the fashion industry post-grad.
How would you describe your personal style?
Lately, I feel like I’ve been playing around with some different styles, but I always lean toward a minimalist look. Timeless staples, elevated basics, neutral colors. Chic but with a little edge.
What sparked your interest in working in the fashion industry?
I have loved fashion since I was a little girl. The mall was my favorite place growing up, all I wanted to do was shop. Through high school and freshman year of college, I was actually pre-med, but when I finally came to terms with the fact that I hated science, I changed my major and was excited to revisit the things that naturally sparked my interest and creativity. I’ve always been drawn to pretty things, visually pleasing spaces, and clothes and jewelry, so a career in fashion began to really stand out as an option. I wasn’t sure exactly what that would look like until my internship at Alexis + Bolt during my senior year of college. There, I got to be a part of buying & planning, website design, photo shoots, styling, and brand curation. After that, I was sure I wanted to pursue a job in the fashion industry.
What is your favorite part about styling your clients?
Something I love is trend-watching. Just being in the know of what’s popular, how people are styling certain items, what colors are trending, what celebrities and models are wearing. I’m always researching and learning to stay up to date in the fashion world and I really enjoy getting to share that insight with my clients. I’ve found that a lot of women want to be on trend but don’t know what’s current, where to find the trendy pieces, or how to style them, so I love getting to be a resource and help my clients look and feel happy and confident in their clothes.
What is your favorite trend right now?
My favorite trend right now is definitely silk maxi skirts. You can dress them up or down, wear them with anything for any occasion and they are effortlessly chic. I am also loving all the shoe trends this fall - ballet flats, pointed toes, square toes, knee-high boots, kitten heels, bows, buckles, Sambas, loafers, all of it.
What is your favorite Jackie Brand?
Tough to say!! We have so many great brands, but I’ve really been loving all the stuff we’ve gotten from Agolde and Citizens of Humanity lately.
Do you have any style icons? Where do you get outfit inspiration?
I always love anything Hailey Bieber is wearing. I love to pull inspiration from influencers and brands I follow as well - some accounts I am loving right now are Sara Walker, Carina Pranz, Dissh, Danielle Bernstein, Dani Michelle. I also get so much inspo from suggested reels that come up on my feed!
