Welcome to Chenault® Clothing, Blouse, Dress, Sweater! We are a women’s clothing company dedicated to helping women look and feel their best. Our story begins over 50 years ago, when our founder, Alice Chenault, started designing and sewing blouses in her small home studio.
Our Humble Beginnings
Alice always had an eye for fashion and a love of sewing. As a teenager in the 1960s, she would often modify and embellish store-bought clothes to create her own unique style. After high school, Alice began working as a seamstress, honing her skills and learning all about pattern drafting and garment construction.
In 1972, at just 22 years old, Alice decided to take the leap and start her own clothing label. Working from a small sewing room in her apartment, she began designing and hand-making a collection of women’s blouses. Her designs combined feminine details like ruffles, bows, and lace trim with flattering silhouettes made from quality fabrics.
Word quickly spread among Alice’s circle of friends about her beautiful, one-of-a-kind blouses. Soon she could barely keep up with orders! Within a few months, she rented a small storefront space to use as a workshop and opened the very first Chenault retail store.
Growing the Business
In the early years, Alice worked tirelessly to build up her fledgling company. She expanded her selection to include not just blouses but dresses, sweaters, skirts, and accessories. Her classic but playful aesthetic struck a chord with women looking for stylish yet comfortable clothing.
By the late 1970s, Chenault had gained a cult following among fashion forward women in the region. Alice began selling her collections to a few local boutiques. Within a few years, her designs were being carried by popular national retailers like Bloomingdale’s and Saks Fifth Avenue.
Despite the growing success, Alice remained hands-on and committed to overseeing every aspect of production. She hired and trained a small team of in-house seamstresses and designers, focusing on creating quality garments made to last.
Our Design Philosophy
As her company grew, Alice stuck to the core design principles that defined the Chenault brand:
- Timeless, feminine styles – Flattering silhouettes and ladylike details that transcend fleeting trends
- Superior fit – Garments tailored to move with a woman’s body using carefully drafted patterns
- High quality fabrics – Luxurious natural fibers like silk and fine cotton with beautiful drape and feel
- Thoughtful details – Lovely embellishments like lace, embroidery, beading, and jacquard weaving that elevate basics
- Multi-purpose pieces – Clothing that transitions effortlessly from day to night and season to season
This commitment to quality and versatility has remained at the heart of our brand for over 50 years. Even as styles and trends change, women trust Chenault to deliver feminine staples crafted to last.
Expanding Our Products
In the 1990s and 2000s, Chenault has continued adapting to the evolving needs of our customers while staying true to our identity. We listen carefully to feedback and update our collections each season with new colors, fabrics, silhouettes, and styles.
While blouses, dresses and sweaters remain our heritage, we’ve expanded our product range over the years to become a lifestyle brand. We now offer polished apparel for work, weekends and special occasions including:
- Blouses – From timeless button-ups to trendy off-the-shoulder styles
- Dresses – Styles ranging from work-appropriate sheath dresses to casual maxis and flirty fit-and-flare dresses
- Sweaters – Cozy cottons and luxurious cashmeres in crewneck, v-neck, cardigan and tunic lengths
- Pants – Trousers, ankle pants, jeans, leggings and more to complement our tops
- Skirts – Knee-length, midi and maxi skirt silhouettes from form-fitting to flowy
- Activewear – Leggings, sports bras, tees and hoodies for yoga, jogging and beyond
- Sleepwear – Stylish pajama sets, nightgowns and robes for relaxing and lounging
- Outerwear – Jackets, coats, parkas and vests in weather-ready fabrics like wool and down
- Accessories – Italian leather bags, belts, gloves, hats, scarves and jewelry to finish off your look
While our product selection has grown over the decades, we remain focused on our niche as a purveyor of versatile, sophisticated and feminine fashions designed for real life.
Our Commitment to Quality
At Chenault, we pride ourselves on utilizing only the finest fabrics and artisanal craftsmanship. Many of our blouses, tops and dresses are still sewn locally in small batches by skilled garment workers. This allows us to maintain our rigorous quality standards.
We source luxurious fabrics from around the world and constantly research innovations in eco-friendly textiles. Many of our products incorporate natural, breathable fibers like organic cotton, TencelTM, silk and linen. These fabrics not only feel amazing, but look good wash after wash.
Our in-house designers carefully draft each pattern with an eye towards flattering fit and impeccable construction. Once sewn, each garment undergoes multiple quality checks to ensure it meets our high standards before reaching our customers.
This meticulous attention to detail elevates our everyday essentials into keepsake pieces that will withstand years of loving wear.
Our Core Values
Over the past five decades, certain principles have remained constants that guide every business decision at Chenault:
- Excellence – We continuously refine our craft to achieve clothing of the highest quality
- Enduring Style – Our versatile, timeless aesthetic never goes out of fashion
- Ethics – From sustainable textiles to fair labor practices, we aim to make ethical choices
- Customer Focus – Feedback from our clients directly shapes each new collection
- Gratitude – We are sincerely thankful for the community that has supported us through the years!
These core values are instilled in every team member and woven into the fabric of our brand culture. As we grow, we remember that staying grounded in these principles is the key to continued success.
Giving Back
Since our early days, Chenault has been committed to giving back and supporting causes that empower women.
Alice Chenault herself funded scholarships to help aspiring young fashion designers pursue their dreams. Today, the Chenault Foundation carries on her legacy by donating to organizations that provide career education and business training for women.
Our company also partners with dress for success programs that help disadvantaged women build professional wardrobes for job interviews. Getting properly outfitted can be transformative for someone trying to re-enter the workforce.
On a lighter note, we host an annual “Sip & Sew” event at our headquarters during the holidays. We welcome local women’s shelters and groups for an evening of DIY fashion sessions, refreshments, and lots of festive fun.
Giving back enriches our team and allows us to thank the community that has been so supportive over the decades.
Join the Chenault Family
We may have grown over the past 50+ years, but Chenault still feels like a family. Many of our team members have been with us for years, even decades. They convey invaluable skills and brand history to new hires.
Our close-knit team cares deeply about continuing Alice Chenault’s legacy. Whether working in our design studio, our retail stores, or behind the scenes, our employees are passionate about bringing high quality, thoughtful clothing into women’s lives.
When you join the Chenault team, you’re joining a family dedicated to empowering and uplifting women. Our brand ambassadors know they are making a meaningful difference in the world every day.
If you appreciate timeless, feminine fashion and want to be part of a brand with heart, explore our career opportunities. The next chapter of Chenault’s story is still unfolding, and we’d love for you to be part of it!