Argent Founder Sali Christeson on Suiting for Women, the 90s Aesthetic & Dressing the VP

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Sali Christeson, founder of Argent, is one of those fashion brand owners who not only trailblazes her path within the fashion industry but also empowers and uplifts women along the way. I first came across the brand when I saw Kristen Stewart, Amy Poehler, and Hillary Clinton wearing the brand’s suits around 2018, when I was covering fashion news. I was intrigued by the way Argent’s suits felt fresh, fun, and – most importantly – for the modern-day woman, no matter her profession.

“Argent was born from my experience working in finance and tech, where I spent years searching for clothing that reflected how modern women actually work and lead,” Christeson tells TQE. “ I saw a real opportunity to build something different in a category that had long been shaped without women in mind. From the beginning, the goal was to design pieces that combine style, quality, versatility, and functionality—modernizing workwear for the realities of today's professional woman and giving her confidence without compromise. I fully understand our customer because I am her.” 

Christeson is not only creating clothing to help women feel confident, though. She’s also intent on uplifting others along the way: “Argent has always been about more than clothing. Since day one, our mission has been to remove barriers and equip women with the tools, connections, and community they need to succeed. We’re celebrating our 10th anniversary this year, and what has truly set us apart is our commitment to consistently showing up for women, not just through our product, but through the relationships and network we've built around the brand.”

Below, my interview with Argent on the past and future of the brand.

The Start and Rise of Argent and Its Modern-Day Suiting

TQE:  What does the name Argent mean, and how did it come to be?

SC: The name Argent actually comes from the lumber company my great-grandfather founded in the early 1900s. When I was building the brand, I kept coming back to it because it felt undefined, timeless, and open-ended. It didn't box us into a single idea or aesthetic. I also love that, in French, argent means “silver.” There’s a quiet irony in that because, while the word references something of value, our mission has always been bigger than the clothing: supporting women in the pursuit of their careers and ambitions. That dual meaning has always felt fitting to me and continues to reflect what the brand stands for today. 

TQE: How would you describe the Argent customer? 

SC: The Argent customer is ambitious, discerning, and intentional. She’s balancing a lot—leading a company, building a career, serving her community, raising a family—and she needs clothing that makes getting dressed easy. Because we’re deeply connected to her, we design with her real day-to-day needs in mind. Every detail is considered to streamline her experience and support the way women actually work today. Above all, she sees fashion as a tool for confidence. When you feel great in what you’re wearing, you carry yourself differently, and our goal is to create pieces that help women feel authentic, empowered, and ready for whatever the day holds, wherever they’re located. We’re thinking about our bi-coastal fashion customers as much as the lawyer in Oklahoma City. 

TQE: What was your biggest "pinch-me" moment since starting the brand? 

 SC: People might not know this about me, but I am the NBA’s #1 fan. In 2024, Doris Burke became the first woman to serve as a television analyst for any major American men’s sports championship event when she called the NBA Finals. She made the intentional choice to wear Argent to mark that milestone. There have been many “pinch-me” moments in the past decade, but this one holds a special place in my heart. 

TQE:  You've dressed some incredible women over the years, ranging from actress Kristen Stewart to former Vice President Kamala Harris. Is there anyone on your vision board to be dressed in the brand? 

SC: We have an ever-growing vision board of incredible women we would be honored to see in Argent. To name a few who are recently top of mind: Jenny Han, Mellody Hobson, Keke Palmer, and Gracie Abrams. 

Sali’s Wardrobe Staples

TQE: What are your wardrobe essentials? 

SC: I always come back to a great black blazer. It’s timeless, endlessly versatile, and works just as well with denim as it does as part of a full suit. Beyond that, most days I rely on elevated basics in a neutral palette that I can mix and match. And then, for any event or special work occasion, I love a bold-colored suit—this summer you’ll see me in our new shade of sea green.

TQE:  Tell us a little bit about how you view getting dressed every day. Do you have an outfit formula you swear by? 

SC:  I’m definitely not an outfit planner. I gravitate toward a simple formula of elevated basics, tailored pieces, and a neutral color palette because it takes the guesswork out of getting dressed. My life is busy, and I want my wardrobe to make me feel confident and put-together without requiring a lot of thought. 

TQE:  Argent is known for its confidence-evoking suits. How are you setting out to continue making Argent stand out from the rest? 

SC: For us, it has always been about designing for the realities of women’s lives. We obsess over thoughtful details that make a difference, whether that’s functional pockets, tailoring that moves with you throughout the day, or our signature smart cuffs in jackets and shirts that keep your rolled-up sleeves in place. We’re not just making suits. We’re creating clothing that helps women feel like the most confident version of themselves while building a community that supports them beyond what they wear. We’re also dedicated to being a resource and community for women beyond the physical products, particularly through our editorial programming and the Work Friends podcast, where I host conversations with remarkable women who inspire everything we do at Argent. 

What The Future Holds For Argent

TQE:  How do you feel modern suiting has changed over the years - especially with the traditional work day continually evolving? 

SC: The definition of workwear has expanded dramatically. Women no longer want a rigid uniform, and they’re not always in the office from 9 to 5. They want pieces that transition seamlessly between meetings, travel, events, and everyday life while still reflecting their personal style. I think the future of suiting is about flexibility and individuality. It should feel polished and powerful, but also functional and authentic to the person wearing it. 

TQE: What are some of your favorite new fashion trends that have popped up in 2026? 

SC: I’m a big fan of classic '90s suiting, which, of course, was a huge cultural reference this year with so many homages to Carolyn Kennedy Bessette's style in the zeitgeist. Our Fall '26 collection has a lot of chic '90s references woven in. It’s truly my favorite Argent collection to date. 

TQE:  Any fashion trends you're completely over or wish didn't exist? 

SC:  I'm not into the breakneck pace of the fashion trend cycle—it’s not how I shop or think about introducing new designs into the Argent collection. For me, it’s always about pieces that stay in your closet forever, offer versatility in styling, and build a wardrobe that makes you feel like your most confident self. 

TQE:  What are some of your sources of inspiration when coming out with a collection?

SC: Our customers are always the biggest inspiration for our designs. We love hearing feedback from them—digitally and directly in person in one of our store locations—where we learn about the clothing their schedules demand and what dressing challenges they face. We take their feedback seriously in designing new styles—or replenishing core styles—season after season. 

TQE: What is the best fashion advice you've ever gotten? 

SC:  Early in the Argent journey, I met a man who was a partner at a reputable VC firm. He read my pitch deck, and his feedback was: “Utility does not belong in women’s clothing.” You could say it was career advice masked as fashion advice. Not only was I never more sure that women deserved clothing that was as functional as it is beautiful, but I quickly learned that not everyone understood our customer, and not to second-guess my vision for what I knew this brand could be. And just in case I ever falter, I saved his email as a reminder. 

TQE: What's next for Argent in 2026 and beyond? 

SC:  We’ve got a lot of exciting things in the works for Fall ‘26 to celebrate a decade in business. This includes the launch of new collections, new partnerships, new events to meet our customers where they are, and the release of our upcoming 10-year campaign, which takes our marquee editorial series, Work Friends, and blows it up tenfold. Literally. Beyond that, we are looking forward to growth in every way: our product offerings, our team, and our community, which is at the heart of Argent. And, looking ahead, we’re eager to see more women choose to wear Argent for milestone career moments—across all industries and positions of leadership. It means everything to us.

You can shop Argent at Neiman Marcus and https://argentwork.com.