Finding Flats That Actually Fit Just Got a Whole Lot Easier

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Ballet flats brand Margaux has been on an upward trajectory since its founding just under a year ago. "We never felt like we'd found a flat that was dressy enough or structured enough that we could wear to work and then wear it out after work," co-founder Sarah Pierson told Racked of her and Alexa Buckley's desire to find the perfect shoe. So like any good entrepreneurs would do, they made it. Or, rather, they let their customers make it, since each pair is made-to-measure.

"When we originally launched, we were sending customers these fitting kits that included measuring instructions, a tape measurer, a fitting guide — everything that they needed to place an order at home," Pierson explained. Customers then wanted the IRL experience, so they rolled out appointments in New York and pedaled their footwear on the road in trunk shows and pop-ups.

But that still wasn't enough: "We were getting these emails from customers saying, 'Can I come into your office and see the collection?" At the time, we were in a WeWork, and it turned into us doing fitting appointments on a sofa in between two guys on laptops...it was not ideal." Now the pair has permanent showroom-office hybrid tucked away in a high-up, sun-drenched office in Chelsea to solve this very problem.

The Studio, as it's called on Margaux's website, looks pretty much like a Pinterest-perfect living room, so no one would blame you if you passed the table of flats arranged in rainbow order to peruse the bookshelves first. It's filled with knickknacks like framedNew Yorker covers, books from Julia Child and Lena Dunham, the tiniest of succulents, and home spray from The Laundress.

"We imagine this Margaux woman as someone who is well-read and interested in so many things, whether it's art or cooking or architecture. We wanted to reflect that in the books that we have on these shelves," Pierson said; she and Buckley relied on "start-up guru" Brad Sherman to bring their vision to reality. And The Studio scent of choice? Le Labo's Santal 26.

Head here to request an appointment, or stop by on Monday evenings to party with the founders (the beginning of every work week is a cause for celebration, Pierson says) Monday, May 16th marks the brand's one-year anniversary, and the details for that fete will be posted on Facebook.