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Mood: Best In Class
THE INFLUENCE: Sabrina Dhowre Elba
The entrepreneur and UN Goodwill Ambassador on her love of power suits, slip dresses and the super-charged beauty brand she founded with husband Idris.
What luxury means to you.
Luxury is first and foremost about what makes you feel good: something that you want to keep forever and pass down. It has a story and significance whether a ratty tatty book or fine jewellery.
Your first investment.
A pair of Louboutins – the Kate pump style with a round plunging toe. I needed these shoes! Saving up for something special does not change when you grow older – the anticipation remains the same.
It felt like a wonderful 360 when Idris and I started our collaboration with Christian Louboutin, now a good friend, on the Walk a Mile in My Shoes line, with 100% of proceeds going to not-for-profits benefitting education, the arts and youth empowerment. 2024 saw the launch of the third collection and I’m so proud of that.
The forever items in your wardrobe?
A tailored jacket/coat from Givenchy that Claire Waight Keller kindly gave me; a Stella McCartney halter neck gown that I wore on my first red carpet appearance; my wedding gown by Vera Wang (a beautiful silk crepe dress with a Chantilly lace trim) and my two pairs of wedding heels by Louboutin: one in a traditional Somali print. Idris wore an Ozwald Boateng suit and we were married in Marrakech in 2019. My family is from east Africa and Idris is from west Africa, so we thought it would be fun to meet somewhere in between.
What do you wear as a businesswoman and entrepreneur?
I’m definitely a suit girl, I feel powerful in a two-piece and Alexander McQueen has the best fits and recently I’ve been wearing sculpted tailoring by Daniel Roseberry at Schiaparelli. I go shirtless under a blazer and wear loafers with trousers.
By contrast, what do you wear to get the fireworks going?
On date night, a floor-length slip dress. I feel super sexy when silk hangs low on the body so the slinkier the straps the better.
Your most treasured gift from Idris?
A Ball n Chain necklace by Jessica McCormack with a green emerald. I love the feel and weight of it on my skin and the stone which Idris chose is mesmerising.
"I’m definitely a suit girl, I feel absolutely powerful in a two-piece. I go shirtless under a blazer and wear loafers with trousers."
Your beauty ritual.
The anti-bacterial Qasil cleanser that we developed for our skincare venture S’Able Labs. Qasil is a leaf from a Somalian tree that is ground into a purifying powder. My mum has been using this for decades. We combined it with ingredients including kaolin, oats, amino acids, shea butter and squalane in this lovely moisturising cleanser. Idris and I wanted to create an affordable but luxury genderless skincare line for all ethnicities. The brand? S’Able is Elbas spelt backwards!
Your approach to wellness.
I prefer selfless self-care. For me, that also means being connected to my community, my family, and friends. If I am not seeing or speaking to my circle, talking to my brother and mother, seeing a friend for lunch - it affects my mental health.
The experts you rely on.
The two women who have really helped me on my journey to S’Able Labs are Dr. Barbara Sturm (we had a proper conversation about dark skin) and Charlotte Tilbury: such energy and soul. I also go to Koia in Notting Hill for massages and to Sophia Brows.
A personal treasure.
When Idris and I first met, I was in Vancouver and I had this blanket. On moving to London, it came with me and I can’t imagine losing it. My mother gave me her vintage Gucci watch: it’s the first luxury she bought for herself and I adore it!
Where do you go to escape?
We have a house in Oxfordshire near Burford – just an hour and a half away. The garden is full of purple flowers including lavender.
An artist that has caught your eye.
I am so taken with Teddy Hansen’s work: he uses rug tufting and embroidery for these funky, surreal wall hangings. It’s so rewarding to collect work that speaks to you.
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