Argent: Ambitious new classics

Necessity is the mother of invention, they say. That was the case for Furman University alumna Sali (Sumer) Christeson ’07, who struggled to find work attire that was easy to buy, easy to wear, and projected a professional-but-feminine image. Enter Argent, a women’s workwear company Christeson founded in 2015 and named for her great-grandfather’s Hardeeville, South Carolina, lumber business.

TOWN Magazine spoke with Christeson, whose brand has received glowing reviews from InStyle and Vogue and is worn by celebrities like Amy Poehler and Meghan Markle. About her Furman experience, she said, “It was such a pivotal growth period for me, mainly for developing the social and leadership skills that are essential for running a successful business. My favorite part of my experience was networking. I was always on the hunt for social activities and looking to form relationships with fellow students. While I didn’t know then that I would end up in fashion one day, the foundational learning that I gained from Furman is what ultimately gave me the confidence to take the leap and embark on my journey with Argent.”

Christeson earned her bachelor’s in business from Furman, and in 2012, secured an MBA at the University of South Carolina. Argent has locations in New York City, Los Angeles, Washington D.C. and San Francisco.