If youre a pantsuit designer, does a better endorsement exist than Hillary Clinton? We think notunless Huma Abedin is also wearing your suits, in which case, it might be a tie. That pipe-dream scenario is real life for Argent , the 1-year-old suiting label by Eleanor Turner (formerly a designer at Tory Burch and J.Crew) and Sali Christeson (whose rsum is mostly finance and tech). Clinton wore the brands lavender basketweave blazer to speak at a Planned Parenthood event back in May , and Abedin has worn (and re-worn) the labels best-selling reversible suit , which inventively flips from pale gray to charcoal plaid. It wasnt a stylist who got Argents suits on two of the most influential women in America, eitherTurner and Christeson simply embraced a rare photo op. We happened to have a pop-up at a womens conference in California where Hillary Clinton was speaking, Christeson tells Vogue . It was her first major speech after the election, and it was so powerful and moving. We waited in line for a photo, and most people just took a quick selfie and moved onbut we talked to her for a few minutes and shared our product.
We literally opened our blazers and said, We make pantsuits! Turner adds with a laugh.
She got really excited because its been a personal frustration of hers. Its such a headache for every woman to find suiting, so our message resonated, Christeson continues. Clinton asked the duo to stay in touch, and Abedinwho Turner describes as the chicest woman in politicssought them out as well. Its surreal, but theyve been supporting us ever since.
Other women who look up to Clinton and Abedin can shop Argents stylish, functional, and affordable suits in its brand-new store, which opened in Washington, D.C., this weekend. It isnt Argents first pop-up, but its their largest semipermanent space with custom-designed interiorsand its offering more of the face-to-face experiences that are crucial to Argents growth. The conversations we have with women every day are really what inform our collections, Turner says. Just last night, we got an email from a woman we met a year ago who had a really important meeting coming up, so she asked us for advice on what new pieces to get. Thats so exciting to us, because we really do want to be the go-to resource for women buying work apparel. Some of them dont have the time or the know-how [to put together the right outfit], so we see it as an opportunity to help them.
As Christeson puts it, getting the perfect outfitbe it for a White House meeting, a television appearance, or a job interviewfrees up the brain space a lot of women have to waste on thinking about what theyre going to wear and whether or not its right. That can certainly apply to fashion-obsessed women, too. Perhaps the smartest thing about Argent is that its suits are appropriate for the strictest of dress codeslaw, government, financebut even the women who can wear anything to work want a suit, too. That bright red double-breasted blazer lends instant polish to a pair of old Levis, or you could feasibly wear the full suit with sneakers. Everyone wears the clothes in such a different way, Christeson says. Our goal really is to give women the opportunity to mix and match the pieces, dress them up, dress them down, and make them their own.
Argents Fall 17 collection will launch later this month, and you can expect more bright, offbeat colors and patterns and more reversible suits, which are popular with business travelers. Historically, women have had to wear gray, black, or beige, and they might not have even had pockets [in their suits], let alone had someone think about them in the design process, Christeson says. Were trying to defy that and encourage women to be bold, push the envelope, F the rules. You should go for it with your outfit and the way you [approach your] work.
I think when youre encouraging women to be individuals, you have to give them plenty of options [for color, pattern, fit, et cetera], Turner adds. Still, the new store isnt just a place to buy the pink suit you never knew you needed. Inspired by the Womens March on Washington, Turner and Christeson decided to use the store to create a community as well. Our foundation is the clothes, but we want to connect women with the opportunities and skill sets to navigate their careers, too, Christeson says. Were encouraging women to come into the store and work, use our Wi-Fi, have meetings, bring their coworkers, or even host an informal event, and were planning a few events, too. Its all geared toward community-buildingwe started by bringing our friends together, and its grown into something much bigger.
If you live in D.C. (or want an excuse to book the Acela), stop by Argents store at 1921 Eighth Street, Washington, D.C., 20001, and follow the brand on Instagram to stay up to date on those events. Fingers crossed a New York store is next.
Argents new store in The Shay in Washington, D.C. Photo: Leah Beilhart
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Hillary Clinton and Huma Abedin's Favorite New Suit Label Just Opened in DC - Vogue.com