Respoke X Lady & The Chocolate in Nantucket

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Once the go-to girl on Madison and Fifth, this Barneys and Bergdorf vet turned founder is re-imagining her love for luxury through chocolate as the medium. 

When all else fails, make chocolate. According to Sara Armet, the lady behind Lady and the Chocolate, the story of how this luxury retail veteran made her dream of becoming a fashion designer a reality began out of necessity. Having built a career at specialty retailers, Barneys New York and Bergdorf Goodman, this iconic shopgirl discovered her newfound path designing over-the-top chocolate bark amidst a global pandemic.

“I used to spend my days as a personal stylist on Madison Avenue. I built a reputation for nurturing relationships and reaped the rewards! I got to attend  fashion shows, host luncheons with designers, including Alexandre Birman and Manolo Blahnik, and travel  to factories across the globe,” added Armet. “I had a front row seat to what every fashion girl dreams of, yet my aha moment came in the kitchen. "It makes me smile earnestly that after all these amazing experiences and opportunities, it is chocolate that people are reacting to.” 

Before the onset of Covid-19, Armet was planning trunk shows in stores and private residences for philanthropy. With executive order New York State on PAUSE, stores were closed and in-person events were off limits. She took the opportunity to redirect her passion, creativity, and sales experience to a new medium: chocolate.

“I have always been someone motivated by community and human connection. Leading with luxury goods did not feel right. I woke up one day with a calling to make chocolate.”

But it’s not just any chocolate, it’s ‘the best chocolate bark you ever had’ according to Armet who playfully recites her brand’s slogan ‘the bark is worth the bite!’

With flavors including ‘Karma is a B***H’, ‘Rich Girl’, and ‘White Trash’, Lady and the Chocolate knows how to get a rise out of people. (And if you like the flavor names you should read on to their bylines.) 

“My mother would say she needs her mouth washed out with soap!” Armet acknowledges that the flavors walk a fine line and the tongue-and-cheek humor may be an acquired taste for some.