Welcome to Label Check! I’ve featured a few brands (here, here, and here) in a smaller format, but some brands and founders warrant going deeper. This is where I break down the ones I can’t stop thinking about — the merchandise, the strategy, the person behind it. Consider it your business school case study, but a lot more fun (and you can shop, if you choose).
As soon as I put on Argent’s Edgar Blazer*, I noticed the details, and I was blown away. It felt considered the way a pair of performance leggings is designed for functionality — where a pocket sits so it holds your phone while you run. A slot just big enough to hold your credit card and license. The placement (or removal altogether) of seams so it doesn’t chafe. But that performance functionality rarely shows up in the clothing we wear everyday for work or life.
I already knew founder and CEO Sali Christeson before I put on Argent’s clothing. I’d listened to her podcast, had a casual conversation, and came away impressed with how she instantly puts people at ease. Christeson is a fashion and retail outsider. She built her career in tech and finance before founding Argent, and it shows up in the way she doesn’t do something just because that’s how it’s always been done. She first thinks of the problem and then approaches how to solve it. She’s also one of the more generous operators I’ve come across, the kind of founder building her own business who still makes a point of pulling others up along the way. Case in point: the 10-year campaign that launched this week features 100 women from the Argent community doing remarkable work in a whole range of industries.
So let’s get into what makes Argent tick and worthy of a Label Check.
In this send: Argent raises $15 million in a Series B to fuel growth for their womenswear brand. Plus: Sali Christeson, Work Friends, sleeve elastic, pockets, bold color, smart cuff, Citizen of Humanity, Margaux, Katt Fore, Rent the Runway, Georgetown, ShopMy, Phoebe Philo, Gray Matters, and share this with your work bestie.
Functionality Belongs in Women’s Clothing
When I spoke to Christeson after trying on the blazer, I told her how much the sleeve elastic had surprised me in a good way. It’s completely hidden. Tight enough that when you push the sleeve up, it stays put, but there’s no telltale scrunch or seam giving it away which is what I’ve seen in the past. Or a stylist trick to use a hair elastic. With Argent, you just see a sleeve that happens to stay where you put it. There are also interior pockets that in addition to being deep enough to store your sunglasses, phone, or wallet — could also be used to put a mic-pack without adding bulk or a weird bump in the jacket. It’s the kind of detail that makes it so you can be present and confident and not have to make do with a previous design just because no pockets would make you look slimmer and there is no other way to provide functionality without bulk.
This is what thoughtful design can create. Pre-launch, Christeson sat across from a reputable VC who told her, flatly, that function didn’t belong in women’s clothing. In fact, the market and customer wanted the opposite: smaller, softer, fewer pockets, not more. For Christeson’s previous work life, no pocket meant a handbag. A handbag meant a trip back from the conference room to an office while all the men went to lunch early. She would have to excuse herself and miss the valuable seat next to the boss who was only in town for the day. She decided the VC was wrong, and built the company for the clothing she, and many other women, wanted and deserved.
The Blazer and Why Function Belongs in Clothing
The sleeve performance and pocket details also had me thinking about my Dad’s fly fishing vest. It has a place for everything, positioned exactly where it should be, without thinking so he stays efficient, calm, in-the-moment, and completely prepared. That’s the same logic here and why it feels completely natural.
The power of color: Argent’s first season they brought in mostly black and had a few units in colors. They sold through the colors fast — olive, cobalt, and red were gone in days. Christeson took that as a signal and explained to me why they have so many bold color options. Women wear a color on purpose, and you’re not hiding from the attention, you’re using it. It’s the same instinct you see in a politician working a press conference, a community leader showing up for a cause, or a coach pacing a sideline. Places where a woman is already going to be looked at, so the color becomes a message versus blending in with black.1
For Argent, the functionality is a surprise and delight. The marketing isn’t loud about these details. You try it on, see how great it fits and functions, and then you get it. This is the moment I experienced trying it on — I had no idea a professional blazer like this existed!
But…Argent isn’t just a suit brand
Let’s break it down: Blazers are the top category, pants are second. Key items:
Straight Leg Trouser — Christeson is thrilled that this pair of pants has been embraced not just by “working women” but by the fashion community as a whole. (Fun fact, Kate Hudson wore in Running Point on Netflix.)
Denim is work friendly: This is another area of Argent that I’m super impressed with. The brand recognizes that we wear denim to work. And while they could have expanded and designed their own denim, Christeson is also a fan of Amy Williams (aren’t we all), the CEO at Citizens of Humanity Group. Citizens of Humanity Group is the parent co of Citizens of Humanity and Agolde denim. The two companies partnered to build an assortment of denim that felt appropriate for this shopper and you can buy the denim directly from Argent. This week I was at their Upper East Side location and you can grab a silk top, blazer, etc and try it on with key pairs of denim like the Beverly wide leg trouser, Annina straight leg in a black denim, one of CoH’s best styles — the Ayla baggy, Agolde’s straight slim leg, and Agolde’s high-rise stovepipe. The two brands have an affinity for how the other is building a company. Amy Williams is also featured in the Argent 10 year Anniversary campaign.
Christeson describes her core customer coming back every four to six months for a full wardrobe reset. Sometimes she’s “feeling a little stale” and wants newness. Christeson wants Argent to be the brand she goes to when she wants to feel like a different, sharper version of herself. The sign on the window outside the shop reads “You’re the Power, We’re the suit”.
The Business of Argent
I’m told Argent runs about 95 percent direct-to-consumer. Wholesale exists, but Christeson told me she treats it as marketing and discovery, not a revenue engine. Another example of that is a recent Rent the Runway launch that can reach a customer who wouldn’t buy the brand outright. Direct is where Argent can fully control the story and relationship.
Channel Checks: There are three locations right now: Soho, the Upper East Side, and Georgetown. Three more are planned to open in 2027. As Christeson explained site selection to me I could hear her strategy and focus: co-tenancy, square footage available, how fast a location needs to turn profitable before it’s worth the lease. This is what drives the selection for the stores in the near future.
ShopMy Advantage: Christeson calls ShopMy “the cheapest form of marketing the brand has”. In terms of relationship building and outreach it has been a tremendous help. The gifting through ShopMy is able to work directly with Shopify so they can streamline the process. The team is able to measure the impact and use the data and have support through the whole affiliate program.
Money Moves — Argent just raised $15 million: A huge congratulations as Argent just closed a $15 million Series B from a group of strategic investors, specifically earmarked for growth and scale. Previous investments for the brand include a $4 million seed in 2018 and $6 million Series A in 2023. The fresh funding lands right as the store count is preparing to double and the brand turns ten. $15 million is a bet on the future of the brand.
Sali and Shoes
I hadn’t even planned this question when I interviewed Christeson, but after hearing how she talked about functionality and clothing and how thoughtful she was in the design I knew I needed to know if shoes were on the roadmap, but more importantly where she shops for shoes. If Sali is this considerate about a work wardrobe, what else makes the cut. First she reminded me of a very cool collab they did with Margaux in May 2025 (WWD). Shoes are so important to dressing for Argent that they keep shoes in the dressing room to try on with the outfits. Christeson personal picks are Phoebe Philo, Katt Fore, Toteme, The Row, Gray Matters, and Margaux.
Want to be Work Friends?
I’m podcast obsessed. I listen on walks, while running errands, organizing the house, etc. The only time I don’t is when I’m writing and doing Channel Checks. I need to be observing!
Sali Christeson is an amazing podcast host. She asks interesting questions, she is curious, she puts her guests at ease, and she uplifts them — let’s them show-off their talents naturally. Plus, by highlighting how these amazing women work hopefully other companies and industries can help solve the problems ahead. It’s all about the community effort. Here are a few great episodes I’d recommend:
Lauren Sherman on the Past, Present, & Future of Fashion Media
Nikki Ogunnaike on Fashion Media: “It’s a Game, at the End of the Day”
Valerie Jarrett on Making White House History
and Monica Padman interviews Sali! Monica Padman Co-Hosts The Special 10-Year Episode
Collab, Partnership & Category Expansion Ideas
Still love a handbag: I believe the bag equivalent of complimenting a dress and hearing “it has pockets!!” is seeing a handbag and realizing that it can hold a laptop. Comfortably. And won’t kill your shoulder. I’d love to see a collaboration here. Perhaps a Metier, Cuyana, or Parker Thatch. Other leather accessories like business card holders (to hold credit cards) or a leather portfolio.
5 minute make-up: I liked the campaigns Merit has done around 5 minute make-up routines or Allyson Felix putting her make-up on while walking on the treadmill. This would be another fun pairing for more confidence building around showing up as your best self and feeling ready. Sarah Creal would be another smart pair. Trinny Woodall and Mara Rozak are work friends of Argent too.
On the links or on the court: Another place to show up and help women negotiate and socialize. On the golf course, on the courts. Perhaps a collab for fitness with the Argent details. Or another relationship like with Citizen of Humanity Group.
Saville Row: Tailoring. An Argent Bespoke look. Charvet custom fitted shirts. But Argent. Even more upscale fabrications to choose from. Perhaps a few more dressy options too for the Galas too. There are wedding looks, but I’m thinking more black tie.
Opportunity
Resale: I know it can be a logistically headache, but there are companies like Trove that exist to help manage and integrate. I’d like to see a resale program. Either for customers who have changed body size/shape, or are looking for a refresh and to find a happy new home for their older pieces. La Ligne manages Re-Ligne. Dôen has Hand-me-Dôen. And Eileen Fisher has Renew. Especially when changing careers or positions this could be a great refresh.
Argent also has the opportunity for interesting and disruptive Trunk Show models. Partnering with college campuses on mentoring and networking events, business school panels, live tapings of Work Friends with a shopping, styling, investing information, etc.
Pattern Play: If you saw my personal wardrobe you would be surprised I’m saying this, but I’m always thinking like a merchant and not for my own use case. But a print or two. Gives the reason for the shopper to come back again for something new, a more limited seasonal option, and we are seeing brands like Dries Van Noten, Zimmermann, La Double J — print heavy brands making an imprint. Even a simple stripe. Or even a silk jacquard texture.
Accessories: Increases the average order volume, shows some interest in styling, and is giftable. I could see an Echo x Argent partnership with some beautiful oversized more shawl like silk and cashmere scarves.
Closing Thoughts
Huge win with Argent’s $15 million in investment to build a brand to help uplift, empower, and build a fashion brand a little different than what a typical VC might expect (the women don’t want functionality thinking — wrong).
Argent is using color as a differentiator, and it sells.
Argent’s marketing looks different than the typical fashion brand — a robust podcast, featuring other fashion and retail founders, not pushing “gimmicks” around the functionality but treating it as surprise and delight.
I’m curious if you’ve tried the brand and what your thoughts around shopping for workwear today? Do you have any go to brands or retailers?
Stay tuned for future editions of Label Check, where I’ll delve into more brands that I’m curious about or have a detail that needs to be shared. Please comment with any brands you’d love to see me do a deep dive on.
Made just for you — always. See you soon (maybe tomorrow with a Deep Dive — this is an unpredictable week). Happy NYFW.
xx, Sarah Shapiro
Private Label Issue 45
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There are still plenty of options for me, and everyone else, who wears a lot of black. Navy, grey, and other neutrals too.
This was so good. What a picture.
Great review and I'll likely order some of their pieces to try on. I'm a huge advocate for The Fold London as they make gorgeous (often washable!) work clothes that read feminine senior executive without being twee. There aren't a ton of other options - Veronica Beard has captured a lot of this market but I don't find the sizing very inclusive - the fit they offer is clearly for very tall, very slim women and that's about it.