MEET THE WILDFLOWER TEAM
MEET MARGAUX
MARgaux weinstock | owner & design curator
Part professional, part goofy, part city, part country, 100% obsessed with fashion, animals, music, and celebrating women. And maybe around 5000% long-winded, lol :-)
Growing up, I felt like I never fit in. I had this wild and crazy hair that my mom did not know what to do with (my mom has straight hair), so she brushed it every morning (GASP- the horror!) and put it in a braid, and that was that. Unbeknownst to me, I also had a weird sense of style that made me stand out. I had a fuzzy leopard winter jacket (that I picked out) that I wore all throughout my 8th grade year, and the following year I went through a phase of wearing neon yellow. The other girls in my class were wearing flared jeans with boots and fitted button down shirts and North Face jackets, and there I was with my unruly hair, my leopard coat and yellow pants, and the silent “x” in my first name. I was a bit of a mess. I was uncomfortable. I was just being me and figuring out what it meant to be me, and I was made to feel like quite an outsider for it. I didn’t see myself represented at all in the world around me, and it was discouraging. As I was coming of age and growing into my femininity, the images of beauty that were impressed upon me were Cindy Crawford, and these Pantene Pro-V commercials of white women with thick, straight, shiny hair. I wished my hair was straighter, my nose was smaller, my thighs were skinnier, my name was more common, I wished to be less like me and more like everyone else. I felt I wasn’t pretty enough, I wasn’t conventional enough, I wasn’t skinny enough, I wasn’t cool enough.
I had a bit of an “a ha” moment when I figured out how to finally deal with my hair. Instead of just putting it in a frizzy ponytail or bun, I finally stumbled upon the fact that if I put just a small amount of product in it and let it be (and did not brush it, like, EVER), the results were decent enough and definitely an improvement from the prior situation. Soon after that, other things seemed to fall into place for me. I discovered the power of music and my love for melodies and words (I was an English major in undergrad), and that had a lot to do with shaping my personality, my values, and my interests. I grew more comfortable with who I was, what I looked like, with my sense of style, with not following the pack and with just going my own way. And then, as I grew into adulthood and into my own, my values shifted. I no longer valued being one of many. I valued independence and authenticity and uniqueness. My values were finally lining up with who I actually was.
I became the fashion guru of my friends. If you were to ask my friends back then where they saw me after college, they would have said, “living in NYC, working at Vogue.” And that is partly true; but there’s this other part of me that went largely untapped. Most girls who are in the fashion industry in NYC love to socialize and attend industry events and get all gussied up and schmooz. Well, schmoozing is like my worst nightmare. Well, schmoozing while I have a migraine on a malfunctioning plane full of snakes is actually my worst nightmare, but still, you get my point. I could care less about going to the hottest, newest places and actually kind of abhorred the uncomfortable “networking” and more superficial interactions that are inherent in the art and fashion worlds. I loved fashion, but I wasn’t “fashiony” enough for NYC because I didn’t want to put on a full face of makeup or a completely polished outfit every time I just needed to run to CVS, and I didn’t want to BS my way through networking events on a regular basis.
In my early 20s I met a boy and fell in love and moved to Western North Carolina. During this transition I came to understand that while I love fashion and the 24 hour conveniences of NYC, I also love quiet moments, open land, nature, animals, and adventure.
When I first moved here, I experienced that same feeling of not fitting in. I wasn’t really a drinker, and I just moved to Beer City USA. Everyone around me was wearing Crocs and Chacos, and here I was in my leopard (noticing a theme here?) dress and heels and the people I was meeting were talking about mountain biking and backpacking on the AT, and I was all, “can we just take the dogs for a leisurely stroll in the woods?” So here I was, too introverted and laid back for NYC, and too formal and fashiony for Asheville. What’s a girl to do?
Skip forward a few years, and the boy and I got engaged (spoiler alert- we got married, we had the most beautiful and fun wedding and created such fantastic memories that I’ll cherish forever, and we’re now divorced, and it’s all good, and I don’t regret a single thing about any of that). It was a tremendously joyful and exciting and happy time for me, and I loooooved being a bride-to-be. And I was soooo excited about planning my wedding and finding my gown (I was stressed too, but much more excited than stressed!). Except, where does a curly-haired gal who rocks a leopard coat with yellow pants find a wedding gown?? There was no bridal shop in town that spoke to me- heck there wasn’t a bridal shop ANYWHERE that spoke to me. And boom- the seed for Wildflower was planted in my leopard-decorated brain. I know I’m a bit offbeat and unusual in most ways, but I also know that I had other friends around town who were having a hard time finding fashion-forward and interesting wedding gowns that were still chic and bridal. I thought, “I need to open a bridal shop and help out my fellow sisters who don’t want to look like a 1980s cake topper.” And so, I took a big risk and left my “adult” job and opened this li’l Asheville bridal shop in January 2014. Since then, Wildflower has been my life, my love, my everything. It truly is an extension of who I am in every sense of the word. It’s my baby. And watching and helping my baby grow from a newborn into a cute kid has been thrilling, fulfilling, terrifying, and the best thing I’ve ever done with my life.
Favorite thing about living in Asheville-
The live music scene. Music has been a constant source of inspiration, healing, grounding, and excitement in my life, and Asheville has an amazing music culture for such a small town. And it’s the music I love the most- old timey, Irish influenced sounds.
Favorite thing about working at Wildflower-
I love that we are a female owned and operated business, and we serve females, and I love making women feel beautiful for exactly who they are.
If I’m not at the shop you’ll most likely find me-
Riding my beautiful horse Maia, smooching my dogs, out on a hike, skiiing in the winter, catching some live music, engaging in philosophical conversations, Netflixing, enjoying a glass of Riesling, expanding on my photography hobby, working from my phone or my house (or someone else’s house), daydreaming about some future travel plans, figuring out the design of my next tattoo
What I’m listening to these days-
Gillian Welch, Charley Crockett, Waylon Jennings, Neil Young, Sierra Ferrell, Melissa Carper, Donna the Buffalo, Jon R Miller, Hiss Golden Messenger, Sean Hayes, The Honeycutters
Current Fashion Inspiration-
Zendaya, Kate Moss in the 90s and early 2000’s, Carolyn Bessett Kennedy, Rachel Zoe, Stevie Nicks, my mom (she’s so freakin chic and elegant and classy), rock ‘n’ roll troubadours, Victorian poets, Greek goddesses, 1970’s everything. I wear a lot of black, a lot of denim, a lot of mustardy colors, a lot of leopard (paying attention?), a sprinkling of camo, buffalo plaid, and I love a good wedge heel (hello height AND comfort). I’m a mix of boho and edgy.
Favorite current trend in bridal fahsion-
I love that wedding gowns don’t have to be these stiff, cake-topper looking dresses anymore. Your wedding gown can truly be an extension of your own unique style, or it can be a complete departure from it as well!
MEET emily
emily alyson | bridal stylist
My name is Emily Alyson. My parents told me that they chose Emily for Emily Dickinson & the song “See Emily Play” by Pink Floyd; and Alyson for Alice in Wonderland… and I think that was pretty solid foreshadowing on their part. I was born a daydreamer. I grew into an artist.
I am driven by curiosity, and I am deeply reflective and sentimental by nature. I am inspired by light, color, texture, and change. I am moved by thoughtfulness, intention, and presence. I have always been drawn to beauty, authenticity, self expression, and all things creative.
I find peace in small moments, crisp air, music, and in water. I find joy in humor, movement, and empowering others. I find bliss in painting, fashion, and nature.
I value gratitude deeply and strive to live in constant alignment with it. I value individuality just as much.
I agree with Shakespeare that all the world's a stage, but I don’t believe we’re merely players. I believe we’re students, too- and that all the world is a classroom, and every experience or stranger is a teacher if you’re willing to learn. And I love to learn.
I’ve followed my heart wherever it has led me- which has included paths of formal education in the beauty industry, in the health and wellness industry, and in the arts- and my personal sense of style and artistic voice has continually evolved as I’ve drawn new inspiration from each stage of my journey. Through an unwavering desire to be myself and fully embrace all of my passions- my heart finally led me here to Wildflower.. and I couldn’t be happier for that.
Favorite thing about living in Asheville-
Although I’m a foodie and I love our restaurants and having tons of culinary variation at my fingertips, and I adore the music scene in town- my absolute favorite thing is getting to wake up and see the mountains out my bedroom window.
Favorite thing about working at Wildflower-
I love working for a woman that I find truly inspirational, and having the chance to connect with and hear the stories of other women. I love the ability to express myself and who I am freely. And of course I love the gowns!!
If I’m not at the shop you’ll most likely find me-
In my art studio working on a painting or collage, in my kitchen whipping up whatever I’m currently craving, snuggled up by my fireplace with my cats watching one of my comfort shows, hiking with my dad, working on a craft or creative project or hobby, having conversations about philosophical concepts or quantum physics with my partner, or learning either about or how to do something new.
What I’m listening to these days-
Honestly every single day is different. I love a good podcast- anything from Ashley Flowers Crime Junkie, to Alan Watts lectures, to Unlocking Us with Brene Brown. Similarly, my music taste is a mood ring. I love virtually every genre- classical, pop, alternative, rock, jazz, country, rap, grunge, electronic, indie acoustic. A handful of my favorites are Benee, Debussy, Mac Demarco, David Bowie, Queens of the Stone Age, Still Woozy, Hiatus Kaiyote, FKJ, The Beatles, King Gizzard, Clozee, Unknown Mortal Orchestra, Harry Styles, Zero 7, Queen, and Elliott Smith.
Current Fashion Inspiration-
I draw inspiration from all that I learn, experience, and all of my senses, as well as from nature. I’m inspired by fashion over time. I love the gothic and Victorian aesthetic, I love old Hollywood glamor, and I’ve always been drawn to the fashion in the 60’s and 70’s. I draw inspiration from mythology and fairy tales. I love the juxtaposition of bold and avant-garde with modern and simplistic. My love for soft, romantic, flowy and witchy styles is equal to my love for mountain grandma chic. On a day to day basis you can find me wearing something that looks like Fran Drescher on an episode of the nanny, David Bowie, Freddie Mercury or Stevie Nicks on stage, or in an off the shoulder oversize sweater. Intricate pashminas, heeled boots, and dressed down blazers are staples for me.
Favorite current trend in bridal fahsion-
I love that there is so much variation in current gowns as compared to what’s been available historically. I love dresses that are as unique as the women wearing them. Some of my favorite current trends are dramatic sleeves-sheer, lace detailed, billowy.. I love them all! And sheer bodices- I love a corset inspired bodice, and I love the dimension sheer paneling creates on its own, but especially with lace or beaded applicate overlay that showcases the fine detailing super clearly.
