Interview - ARgENTUM

1 - Hello my friend. Let’s start with a quick introduction, shall we? Please, introduce yourself.

Hey, my name is Joy Isaacs, and I’m a South African redhead. Yes we actually exist…

 2 - Where are you located and what do you do? 

I live and work in London, and as well as being a mother to 3 boys, I run a skincare company called ARgENTUM apothecary.

3 - Where’d you get your start and what inspired you?

ARgENTUM came later in life after a vivid dream, but before this I worked in banking, fashion and marketing... You could say I’ve had a few different starts, with many people, places and things inspiring me along the way. I’m a firm believer that each one has led me to this door.

4 - Let´s talk fashion for a bit. Describe your style.

I love fashion and beautiful things. I tend to flit between comfortable and smart, simple and flamboyant. My favourite colour in clothes would have to be black and from there I adorn with accessories, bags and shoes. Unusual things always catch my eye…

5 - Who, or what inspired your sense of style growing up?

I was definitely inspired by a family friend, Linda de Beyer. She stole my heart with the way she mixed old and new, incorporating just enough feminine and masculine energy.

6 - Favourite designer, and while we’re at it, what´s the brand that you identify yourself more with?

Ooooooh, only one… That's a tough question because I like mixing bits and pieces and pulling things in from all over the place. I’m going to move away from clothing and mention Kirsten Goss, a jewellery designer I’m loving at the moment.

7 - Have you been to a fashion show before?

Yes, and I’ve modelled in a few (a lifetime ago)… Before ARgENTUM, I worked in marketing for a top luxury menswear company and used to organise and host all their catwalk debuts.

8 - Back to your brand, for advertising ARgENTUM, would you choose: Digital or film? 

At this stage we choose digital, but dream of bringing our illustrations to life with stop-frame animation in the not-so-distant future. Watch this space…

9 - What is the most important grooming product for men?

I would say a great moisturiser! One that targets the face, eyes, neck, and helps soothe shaving rash. Although… if I had to boil it down to the most important, it would have to be a toothbrush…

10 - I´m turning 30 next month and I must say that my favourite product from ARgENTUM is la potion infinie. What’s the age range you suggest for the product?

If it’s good for skin, it’s good for skin… I don’t think you have to be a particular age to start caring about the largest organ on your body. Our active ingredient, Silver Hydrosol, has incredible antibacterial properties. We have people as young as 16 using la potion infinie as it has been very effective in supporting acne and problem skin.

11 - Where’s your favourite place to escape and maybe, get inspired?

I rarely get time to escape, which I suppose is more a state of mind I achieve when soaking in an Epsom salt bath. Ahhh, inspiration is everywhere and I always get super-excited when something I’ve seen sparks an idea.I love PINTEREST and find it one of the most exhilarating free-flows of imagery and thoughts, so, when I feel the need to get inspired I just look through some of my boards and wait for the massive smile to crack my face.

12 - What’s the most inspiring thing you’ve seen lately?

It has to be Jim Carrey’s 2014 CommencementAddress. It’s worth watching.

13 - What do you live for?

I live for joy. I try and move to joy, choose joy, and find joy in every moment. Sometimes, it’s easier said than done :)

14 - Favorite cocktail? (just because) 

Ahhh… I’m rubbish. I don’t drink; don't like the taste, never have! I love the way cocktails look, but would prefer a coffee to a cocktail any day! That said, I was in Prague recently with my partner, and we visited the most impressive cocktail bar ever, called the Black Angel’s Bar.

15 - Anything else that you feel like sharing?

Actually yes… I’d like to share a little more about ARgENTUM’s journey and the energies (we call them archetypes) that contributed to the creation of la potion infinie. Each archetype has their own SoundCloud Playlist and you can listen to all of them here: https://soundcloud.com/argentum-apothecary