Gals

This is Gals in IS first ever double interview! We chatted with Margaux and Arden, long time friends and co-owners of the epinonimous, Argaux. An all female team that works on small production, family-owned, and responsibly farmed wines--this is a brand after our own heart. We talked about dressing for classic comfort, nearly killing Diane Keaton, and of course wine.

HOW DO YOU STYLE YOUR INDUSTRY STANDARD PIECES?

Arden: I dress pretty...I don’t want to use the word basic, but I generally wear neutral colors with a focus on comfort. Before COVID we did a lot of events and I needed clothes I could wear from 8AM to happy hour. I add a silk scarf for a pop of color.

Margaux: my general style is all over the place depending on what mood I’m in. I can dress preppy, but I’m consistently a lover of vintage items. Whether it’s consignment or flea markets. In terms of basics, I love white tee shirts. My day-to-day outfit is jeans, a white tee and blazer. I have a large collection of blazers, a lot are vintage that were my grandmother’s.

WHO'S YOUR STYLE ICON?

Arden: I'd have to say my mom! She's the most classy. I trust her on all things design and style.

Margaux: Diane Keaton. I almost ran Diane over in Beverly Hills. I was pulling out of a parking lot and putting on my seatbelt and looked up and there was Diane wearing a sear sucker suit, with a bow tie and a top hat eating a vanilla ice cream cone.

MID-RISE OR HIGH WAISTED JEANS?

Both: High Waisted!

BOYFRIEND OR SKINNY JEAN?

Arden: Skinny jean

Margaux: Boyfriend

WHAT IS SOMETHING MOST PEOPLE DON'T KNOW ABOUT YOU?

Both: we share the exact same birthday.

IF YOU HAD A DINNER PARTY WHAT WOULD IT BE LIKE?

Both: The concept of Argaux was actually inspired by the dinner parties we used to have in college. We would cook these dinners and dream up what we wanted to do after school. To eat we would probably make spring corn pasta with marinated feta, chili oil and chili flakes, plus a mediterranean salad with avocado, and Argaux wines. We'd host Margaux's grandfather who was in the CIA, gotta throw in a comedian like Larry David or Jerry Seinfeld, and someone in food like Julia Child.

IF YOU COULD ONLY HAVE ONE THING EMBROIDERED ON A TEE WHAT WOULD IT SAY?

Margaux: Argaux or a fun french word like the one we made up for our sister company, Amlière!

WHAT’S SOMETHING YOU’VE DONE IN COVID THAT YOU WANT TO CONTINUE?

Arden: Virtual tastings. I know people are zoomed out but we hope to provide a unique tasting experience. Personally, I was over the workout clothes. We started to go back to the office in March with everyone and I decided I’m going to get dressed at least 3x’s / week!

Margaux: I was very content staying home. Prior to COVID if I didn’t have plans on a Friday night I felt like I needed to. But now I actually enjoy not having plans and staying home. I’m kind of a homebody which I wasn’t before. Now I’m encouraging myself to go out more.

Strategist, Founder, Creative, and Creator, Clarice Metzger wears many hats. She's a Creative Strategist at Creative Theory a digital consulting and content creation agency. She's also the founder of Kno. Media — a platform that focuses on telling the stories of marginalized individuals. We browsed through her local used bookstore and wandered around Ridgewood on a beautiful spring day.

DO YOU HAVE A STYLE ICON?

Definitely Chrissy Rutherford. She always strikes the perfect balance between cozy and chic.

HOW DO YOU STYLE YOUR INDUSTRY STANDARD PIECES?

A solid graphic tee with jeans is my go-to.

MID-RISE OR HIGH WAISTED JEANS?

Depends on the day, the look, and the bloat situation but I’ll have to go with high-waisted.

BOYFRIEND OR SKINNY JEAN?

Boyfriend jeans ALWAYS.

WHAT WAS THE LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED?

Takers — I love Idris Elba.

IF YOU COULD ONLY HAVE ONE THING EMBROIDERED ON A TEE WHAT WOULD IT SAY?

That bitch.

WHAT IS SOMETHING MOST PEOPLE DON'T KNOW ABOUT YOU?

I aspire to create a non-profit arm of my creative platform Kno. Media. Manifesting that!

WHAT’S THE LAST BOOK YOU READ?

Pleasure Activism: The Politics of Feeling Good by Adrienne Maree Brown. Highly recommend!

WHAT IS YOUR GUILTY PLEASURE?

Extra buttery popcorn (as in very extra) with a glass of cabernet sauvignon laying underneath my weighted blanket binge-watching old SVU episodes. It’s very Olivia Pope of me.

WHAT DON’T YOU DO?

I don’t walk over grates in stilettos. I also don’t say no to a free meal.

WHAT’S SOMETHING YOU’VE DONE IN COVID THAT YOU WANT TO CONTINUE?

Daily walks! They’ve been helping me prioritize my mental wellbeing.

WHAT’S SOMETHING YOU’VE DONE IN COVID THAT YOU WANT TO STOP?

Order food every weekend. I need to get it together ha.

Owner, Framed Florals

For our first socially-distanced Gals in IS, we couldn’t have picked a more flexible, creative partner than Lacie RZ Porta. The woman behind Framed Florals, Lacie artfully preserves flowers from travels, weddings, or your backyard in minimalist frames. We virtually sat down and chatted about life as a solotrepreneur during quarantine, high waisted jeans, and how 90 Day fiancé and homemade sourdough are the not-so-guilty pleasures getting us through these strange times.

HOW HAS YOUR BUSINESS CHANGED SINCE QUARANTINE BEGAN?

A whole lot! When quarantine first began I went through all the stages of “wtf do I do now?” as I feel like everyone did. I tackled all my computer tasks that I could from home, emailed with clients, and then went into sourdough baking mode. Over the last two months things have shifted and pivoted, I made a small collection of frames from home, added a bunch of new things to my site, and just went with the waves of having dozens of postponed weddings. I’ve been so thankful to still have clients send me flowers from elopements and zoom weddings so that has been the bright spot in all of this business wise!

HOW DO YOU STYLE YOUR INDUSTRY STANDARD PIECES?

My IS pieces feel very much “me.” I’m generally a no-fuss kind of dresser, I wear what’s comfortable and easy and effortless. (Which IS totally embodies.) Jeans and a tee are a weekly go-to for me! So styling with my favorite mules, purse (made by my friend Apprvl), and bandana is a classic style choice I make nearly daily!

WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE FLOWER?

Anemones!

WHAT IS SOMETHING MOST PEOPLE DON'T KNOW ABOUT YOU?

That I’ve given myself a tattoo! Totally DIY I stick & poked a tiny heart on my wrist over 10 years ago. It surprisingly still looks so cute.

MID-RISE OR HIGH WAISTED JEANS?

High waist!

BOYFRIEND OR SKINNY JEAN?

Boyfriend for when I’m trying to be comfy, skinny for when I’m trying to feel more put together!

WHAT IS YOUR GUILTY PLEASURE?

90 Day Fiancé.

WHAT’S THE LAST THING YOU COOKED?

Predictable…pizza dough with my sourdough starter!

WHAT DON’T YOU DO?

Eat meat...I’ve been vegetarian more than half my life now.

WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU GOOGLED?

Searching for the best bubble bath soap… bath plus wine and listening to a podcast is my favorite way to end a long day.

DO YOU HAVE A STYLE ICON?

Not exactly one person, but I love the casual cool style of the 70’s. Patti Smith in iconic tees and oversized mens shirts with jeans. Stevie Nicks in flowing dresses and jumpsuits. Even Bruce Springsteen rocking all denim and a leather jacket, so good!