Alexa Buckley and Sarah Pierson prove to be the perfect pair as the brains behind Margaux, which now boasts a fabulous pop-up on Wisconsin Avenue through this spring.
Where did you two meet?
AB: Sarah and I serendipitously met at a cab stand at the very beginning of our freshman year at Harvard, and we were friends at first sight.
SP: Four years later, we dreamt up the idea for Margaux our senior year as we prepared to set out on decidedly different careers.
What made you decide to launch the line?
SP: Inspired (and frustrated) by summer stints in the corporate world—where we shuffled to the office in our ‘comfortable’ shoes only to change into our ‘work’ shoes when we arrived and were constantly carrying around a second pair in our bags—we wondered and questioned how we could find a beautiful, comfortable shoe that could carry us throughout our day without that all-too-familiar shuffle. The answer, we found, was in striking the perfect alchemy of form, fit and function.
How has it been working together?
SP: A dream! To this day, we are the best of partners and the best of friends. We’re different in so many ways but agree wholeheartedly in the most important things: our vision for the brand, our product ethos and our core values, to name a few.
AB: We share a brain, which often means showing up to meetings in the same outfit, accessories and all—and know that no matter what, at the end of the day, we would put each other first before anything else.
Why did you launch in New York?
AB: I love how dynamic New York is. It’s the most multidimensional city I’ve ever spent time in. The diversity of people, industry, interests and energy makes it the most stimulating place to live and build a business. I travel quite often for work, and every time I return I feel even more grateful to call New York my home.
What makes the line so unique?
SP: For one, our extended size range—European sizes 33 to 45, in three widths—is unmatched by any other brand or retailer. It’s filling a great need for sizes traditionally labeled as ‘nonstandard’ but should be universally available.
AB: There is a Cinderella moment for every customer. Through May 2020, 1251 Wisconsin Ave. NW
Photography by: Kristen Francis Photography
