On a Thursday evening in Southern California, Sabrina Dhowre Elba, a model and beauty entrepreneur, hosted an intimate dinner at Nobu Malibu to celebrate S’ABLE Labs. This sustainable skincare brand, founded by Elba, focuses on melanin-inclusive products derived from potent African botanicals suitable for all skin types. Elba traveled to Los Angeles for a single night, capping off a series of intimate dinners. Two nights earlier in New York, S’ABLE Labs made a splash at the trendy Soho spot Mamo, with notable guests such as Jenna Lyons, Ubah Hassan, Isolde Brielmaier, and more. The evening was enhanced by a DJ set from Elba’s step-daughter, Isan Elba.
S’ABLE Labs, spearheaded by Elba, stands out as more than just a typical celebrity beauty brand. The skincare line avoids white labeling and instead takes inspiration from Elba’s mother, Maryam Egal, and their Somali heritage.
Elba shared with Vogue, “I’ll be the first to say moms know best. I came from a big Somali family and experienced the generational passing down of beauty ingredients and secrets that cared for the unique needs of melanin-rich skin, which are also extremely beneficial for every skin tone. I would watch my mom make daily concoctions of basil, turmeric, dried goat’s milk, and other ingredients to create skincare birthed from generations of Somali tradition,” Elba explained. “It wasn’t until later that I understood how beneficial these ancestral beauty rituals, which feature antioxidant-rich ingredients, are to melanated skin, which inspired our range of S’ABLE Labs products, full of rich African botanicals. I was always hyper-aware that quality products for melanated skin were lacking. With S’ABLE Labs, we marry technology with this tradition; these products are my mom in a bottle. We look at and address hyperpigmentation holistically while showcasing, with expertise and authority, the efficacy of A-Beauty, a long-overlooked category.”
The ambiance of the private room at Nobu Malibu reflected the sleek pale grey packaging of S’ABLE Labs, with a menu that cleverly incorporated skincare themes through custom cocktails like the Glow Getter Margarita, Mask-Co Mule, and Pore-Fect Gin Basil Smash, which were highly favored by guests. The tablescape featured candlelight and sculptural florals in neutral tones from the small business Mallory with the Flowers, owned by individuals of Black and Filipina descent.
Elba emphasized, “Don’t [only] buy Black because it’s the good thing to do. Buy Black because we are experts, and we create products that work,” underscoring the appropriation of African Beauty remedies in the past and the need for proper recognition of their efficacy and heritage.
Notable attendees at the event included Emma Grede, Yvonne Orji, Tracy Romulus, Devin Brugman, Jackie Aina, Malika Andrews, Jeannie Ma, and more. Each guest departed with a gift bag bearing the message, “Mum’s always right…” paying homage to Elba’s mother and the enduring Somali beauty traditions within their family. The gift bags contained items from the S’ABLE Labs collection, including the new Okra Face Serum.