In the Hot Seat: With Barbara McLaughlin & Elyce Arons

This Tuesday, as the Frances Valentine for J.McLaughlin collaboration officially launched, we sat down with Barbara McLaughlin and Elyce Arons to talk all things color, personal style, timeless design, and the friendship at the heart of it all. From their shared love of bold hues and optimistic dressing to the pieces they’ve held onto for decades, the conversation was filled with warmth, wit, and plenty of personality. Below, they answer our hot seat questions in their own words.

How does color show up in your personal life?

Barbara: Well, color is the foundation, I think, for me, for everything. So, with my clothing, it's my bracelets. And then at home, it's my bookshelves full of all my colorful books.

Elyce: That's so great. I'm color, color, color everywhere.

What’s your ‘uncommon’ neutral?

Elyce: Gold!

Barbara: I have to say animal print; even though it's not going to surprise anybody.

Elyce: And you know, people always say ‘oh, it's in this year.’ It's never, never out. Never!

What’s a fashion or décor rule that you completely ignore?

Elyce: For me, it would be sticking to one theme or era because I love to mix different genres and personal art with beautiful professional pieces.

Is great style something you learned or something you’re born with?

Elyce: I think it's definitely something that's learned, because you've got to try things on. You have to take risks and make mistakes to find out what your true individual style is.

What’s a piece you’ve held onto for decades?

Barbara: Oh, yes, I have two J.McLaughlin pieces that are as old as the hills. One is a denim shirt that's now as soft as a T-shirt. And I have another pair of planned holiday pants that I haul out every Christmas.

Elyce: A caftan.

What excites you most about this collaboration?

Barbara: That we're both wearing the same pair of shoes (The Venus Heel). I love these shoes.

Coffee or tea?

Both: Coffee!

Morning or night?

Both: Morning.

City uniform or weekend casual?

Barbara: Weekend casual.

Elyce: I'm city.

Bold color or neutral?

Both: Bold color!

Heels, flats or sneakers?

Barbara: Clogs.

Elyce: Kitten heels.

Favorite place to reset?

Elyce: Bridgehampton.

Barbara: Anywhere reading a book.

Fast decision or sleep on it?

Elyce: Sleep on it for sure.

Barbara: Should sleep on it. Guilty of both!

What's a risk worth taking?

Barbara: Public speaking - my biggest fear.

Elyce: This such a good answer. That’s mine, too.

One word that defines your brand.

Elyce: Happy.

Barbara: Optimistic.

One word your brand avoids.

Elyce: Trendy.

Barbara: Aspirational.

A signature piece everyone should try.

Barbara: The Genevieve blazer.

Elyce: Our caftans.

Color.

Elyce: Pink.

Barbara: Yellow.