Maybe it’s the perpetually dreamy weather. Or, the way the majestic Santa Monica mountains rise up against the city’s legendary beaches of golden sand. Or, maybe, it’s the unbridled creativity of its forward-thinking denizens. Whatever the case, for brand founder and creative director Sable Banoun, Los Angeles can’t help but inspire a certain style — one that embodies Southern California’s natural beauty and laidback lifestyle with sexy, elevated essentials in cashmere and silk.

The city’s unequivocal allure has always captured the imagination of Sable Lynn Banoun, founder and creative director of ready-to-wear brand Sablyn.

she explains. “The natural beauty, the relaxed lifestyle, and the unique blend of casual and sexy vibes in this region have always been a constant source of inspiration for me.”

And, for her brand. Launched in 2017, Sablyn — which is a portmanteau of Banoun’s first and middle names — is made up of elevated everyday essentials that seamlessly embody the beauty of West Coast life. There are wide-leg pants in sumptuous silks; chunky cable knit sweaters in the softest cashmere; and slip dresses with cut-out backs and delicate straps. Not to mention a host of curve-hugging cropped ribbed t-shirts, slouchy jeans in washed-out blues, and luxe sweatsuit sets in the prettiest range of pastel hues.

Banoun confirms. “Growing up, the combination of a laid-back and sexy vibe was something I naturally gravitated towards, and it's a fundamental part of the brand's identity as well.” To that end, she says each Sablyn piece focuses on comfort and ease, while also leaning into “the inherent sexiness that LA is known for.”

It’s a blend that Banoun has spent decades honing — starting with her childhood growing up in the beachside community of Pacific Palisades. “I've always had a strong passion for clothing and personal style,” she says. “When I was in school, I found myself more focused on what I would wear to school than on my schoolwork.”

She’s only partly joking. Her single-minded focus was like an arrow. It led her to pursue a 14-year career in retail, which ultimately sparked her interest in design. “I noticed a need for timeless and monochromatic clothing,” she explains.

And in truth, there is a timeless quality to the resulting brand. The silhouettes are effortlessly classic, while the colors and fabrics are sumptuous without being over-the-top. “Our foundation lies in the use of cashmere and silk, which are known for their softness and exquisite feel,” Banoun explains. “We carefully select fabrics that not only meet our high-quality standards but also resonate with our vision of creating pieces that make you feel good when you wear them.”

Not that there aren’t plenty of directional pieces in the mix. A sleeveless sweater in a boxy shape with an oversized funnel neck, for example, or a fitted, tailored vest in supple cotton twill and pale blue. In other words, this is the kind of collection that has the ability to transcend its Southern California roots; one that feels just as at home on the streets of Paris or New York — or Austin or Omaha, for that matter — as in its origin city of LA.

Which is exactly the point. As Banoun says, the goal has always been to craft “a line that women can effortlessly step into; a vibe that strikes the perfect balance between sexy and comfortable.”

Much like the personal style embodied by Banoun herself. With her golden waves and sun-kissed ease, Banoun exudes the LA — and Sablyn — sensibility, whether dressed in the brand’s Sammy jeans (she recommends sizing up for an extra “relaxed look”), Jameela racerback ribbed tank, and a pair of kicks from the brand’s forthcoming sneaker collab; or, simply wrapped in layers of plush cashmere. “My favorite new piece from this upcoming season's collection has to be the Ford cashmere full-length sweater,” she enthuses. “I have a soft spot for designing comfortable sweaters, and this one is particularly cozy — it feels like you're walking in a cloud.”

Finding a way to infuse the every day with a sense of effortless elegance has always been important to Banoun — and never more so now that she’s become a mom. She says motherhood has changed “everything” for her — not just in terms of her day-to-day, but also when it comes to her approach to work. “It has made me design with moms in mind,” she says, adding that she completely understands how moms don’t want to feel like a “fucking mess when they're rushing out the door.”

Not that anyone does. And, that’s the beauty of Sablyn. As Banoun puts it, her dream is to “continually nurture growth” — whether for her brand or otherwise. It’s been one of the most energizing things about her journey in fashion; not just because Sablyn has allowed her to express her unique perspective, but also because it’s given her the opportunity to embrace a community of like-minded women in her hometown and beyond. “The most exciting part has been staying true to my vision and witnessing people truly understand and connect with it,” she says.

It’s an intention that’s only bound to manifest in a larger sense as the brand continues to grow. “My ultimate goal is to introduce Sablyn to more women,” Banoun says. “I want to empower them to make fashion choices without compromising between comfort and feeling confident and sexy.” That shouldn’t be too hard. After all, as the law of attraction states, aligning with your vision is really the whole thing: “My biggest fashion dream has been realized, I am currently living it,” Banoun agrees.

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