Sapna Opens Up Her Little Black Book

There are several under-the-radar brands I’m loving. Stouls Paris is a name people should know. It’s more of an AW brand, but I love its innovative take – creating suede and leather that is super high quality and chic, but can be thrown into the washing machine like cotton. Donni is a US label that makes some of the best silk trousers I’ve ever worn – by both fit and feel. My pair were accidentally thrown in the wash and ruined recently, but I’ll be repurchasing in a heartbeat. Elsewhere, for affordable and modern bags and shoes, Neous or Little Liffner are great failsafes. 

Manchester-based Atelier 95 is the label that makes one of the best suits I own – although finders rights go to our editor in chief Charlotte Collins, who I shamelessly copied. Right now, Naomi Genes and Charlotte Quinn (ex-Atelier 95 and Refy) have a new line that I’ve got my eye on: Eseni Denim.

If I could shop in just one place forever, it would probably be Dubai Mall. Maybe a little predictable, but the range is unmatched. The Massimo Dutti there is especially good, and the designer floor never disappoints.

Two Paris spots I’ll never stop loving are Merci and Le Bon Marché. Merci is unbeatable for discovering cool fashion, beauty and lifestyle names, while Le Bon Marché is pure magic, especially at Christmas. A hidden gem worth mentioning is the Zara Home in Paris’s 7th arrondissement. It’s tucked next to the Sézane offices and has a totally different feel to any other Zara Home, often hosting exclusive collabs and pop-ups you won’t find elsewhere.

India is one of the most inspiring destinations for fashion craftsmanship. As a child, I didn’t fully appreciate the skill behind the small shops I’d visit in Mumbai with my family, but now I love seeing both local artisans and bigger names – like Sabyasachi and Manish Malhotra – shine on global stages like the Met Gala.

For occasionwear, a name that’s recently come onto my radar is Deme by Gabriella – I wish I had a great occasion worthy of its pieces. All of its designs celebrate women in the most flattering, chic and on-trend way.

My jewellery collection is all about mixing and matching. Pandora, Daphine, Jean London and my own Soru collaboration pieces all feature in my daily stack. For earrings, I gravitate towards statement styles, along with favourites from Heaven Mayhem, Neima Row and Missoma.

I’m excited to get my hands on a few upcoming launches. First up is India Cardona’s collaboration with Monsoon – I’ve seen the lookbook and love what’s coming, especially as it’s landed just in time for holiday dressing. Then there’s Federica Labanca’s collab with Klayd – such a great brand for both basics and occasionwear, and I love the cool-girl edge Federica’s brought to it. Finally, J.Crew and Alighieri have teamed up on a collection I already know I’ll be living in all summer long.

When it comes to holiday dressing, I love to hunt for local artisan finds. Mallorca and the Greek islands are brilliant for this. For swimwear, Hunza G is my go-to – I’ve never found a brand that’s as flattering and comfortable in one. Elsewhere, Faithfull The Brand and Matteau are also seriously good - as is Dissh, who I recently escaped to the South Of France with. Discovering their latest drops was such a a treat, but what was even better was the chance to pick the brains of their insanely stylish Aussie team who have now given me a mini Little Black Book of some new Aussie labels  – stay tuned for a round up of these soon. One to note though for great swimwear is Cooke Swim. 

A co-ord is my ultimate failsafe. When I don’t know what to wear, you can bet I’ll be in a suit or matching set. There are some seriously good ones on the high street right now – as always, Zara is a reliable go-to for this.

For hair, I always go to Larry King’s Marylebone outpost. Annie Redman has been cutting my hair for over two years now and I trust her completely. Back when I was blonde (we've all done it once), Samantha Cusick London was my go-to for balayage – it’s fantastic for big colour changes.

When it comes to tools, I’m a Dyson girl. I know it’s an investment, but my hair has never felt better. I’ve been loving the new Airwrap IQ, which is next-level innovative – using an app to save your preferred temperature and curl time is just one example. I’m also thrilled that it has finally launched the Supersonic R Straight+Wavy Hair Dryer. It’s a tool that used to only be available to pros – I asked about it over the years and am so happy to be able to get my hands on one now. It’s super lightweight and easy to use thanks to its ergonomic design. Elsewhere on the tool front, I've used a Foreo Luna 4 to cleanse my skin nearly every day for the past 5 years. 

I’m fully on the BIAB journey now. I’ve converted and there’s no going back. It’s such a foolproof way to keep my nails healthy and strong, and I genuinely find it lasts far longer. Yes, the time and cost are a bit extra, but the payoff – in look, feel and nail health – makes it more than worth it.

My ultimate wellness indulgence is a good massage. It might not sound glamorous in a traditional spa sense, but Third Space Spa is where I always go. I’m keeping my favourite therapist’s name under wraps (she’s already fully booked most of the time) but it’s something I make a point to prioritise. Another wellness ritual I've been loving – also at Third Space – is sound healing. It's basically an hour of meditation surrounded by the healing power of a sound bath. For anyone who struggles to shut out their thoughts, it's a great place to start. 

For facials, Sarah Chapman has been a long-time favourite. Its treatments strike the perfect balance between relaxing and results driven. On my wish list is Lanserhof near Dover Street – especially now that it is hosting an Augustinus Bader takeover. For proper, next-level relaxation, Surrenne is firmly on my radar.

I’ve made a pretty big investment this year in the realm of beauty and aesthetics – Invisalign. I put it off for years, but after just eight weeks, the results speak for themselves. I started with Luceo Dental –  the one with the gorgeous waiting room – and worked with founder Dr Tom Crawford-Clarke and cosmetic dentist Dr Tilly Houston nearly a year and a half ago. I originally went in just to get my dental health back on track after neglecting regular check-ups through my early 20s. After a year of consistent appointments and cleanings, I decided to start my Invisalign journey – and honestly, it’s one of the best beauty investments I’ve made in a long time.

The beauty products I reach for again and again are from Kosas, Refy, Hourglass and Rhode. Kosas’s concealer, powder, glosses and brow pencils are staples in my make-up bag. Refy’s primers, cream blushes and brushes are excellent; Hourglass’s ambient lighting palette and vanish concealer are must-haves; and Rhode’s cream blush and skincare are new essentials in my routine.

SimiHaze and Caia Cosmetics are two beauty brands that deserve more hype. SimiHaze is known for its playful packaging but, trust me, the products are as good as they look. Caia, on the other hand, is a brand I’ve been gatekeeping. It’s the epitome of Scandi-cool – everything is stripped back, gentle and beautifully made. The real stars of the show are the brushes.

Fragrance layering is a must in my routine. I’m asked daily about my fragrances – the highest form of compliment, as I’m such an obsessive. I often say if I wasn't working at SheerLuxe, I’d start my own fragrance brand. On an average day I layer a minimum of two scents – and throughout the day dip into one or two favourites that I keep on my desk. I shared my Fragrance Wardrobe last year, but my current favourites are Diptyque’s Orpheon and Byredo’s Blanche – plus Tom Ford’s Oud Minérale. Classics I always come back to are Victoria Beckham’s San Ysidro Drive (which I think most of the SL office would attest to being my signature scent at this point) plus Lime Basil & Mandarin by Jo Malone London. My favourite spot for fragrance shopping is definitely Liberty’s Fragrance Hall. 

A beauty look I’ll never tire of is the sunburnt blush effect. It’s not just a passing trend – it’s my signature way of adding a natural sun-kissed flush by sweeping colour across my cheeks and nose. I achieve it with the help of Rhode’s Pocket Blush, followed by a bit of SUQQU's Blurring Color Blush in '04 Koinagare' and a dusting of colour from my limited edition Hourglass Ambient Lighting palette. 

Supplement-wise, Lemme Gummies have been an unexpected addition to my routine. I’ll admit, I thought they were just hype, but after trying a few – Lemme Chill, Lemme DeBloat and Lemme Sleep – I’m officially a fan. Elsewhere, I’ve been a longtime Symprove supporter. The proof is in the pudding – you’ve got to stick with it – but it’s a real game-changer for boosting immunity.

I’ve recently been seeing a psychic. I’ve always been drawn to spirituality – growing up in a South Asian household, Reiki was practically part of the furniture. As an adult, I’ve loved dipping back into that world and find real comfort in it. If you’re looking to shake up your mindset or just try something new, I couldn’t recommend it more. 

There are a couple of treatments on my wish list. One is acupuncture – I’ve heard so many good things. I’m also fascinated by the viral Head Spa treatments I keep seeing all over my FYP – they look seriously satisfying.

I’m not much of a drinker, but I recently had the best wine pairings at Cycene. It was an event dinner and every glass was perfectly matched – impressive even for someone as particular with drinks as I am.

The destination I’m most excited to return to is Hong Kong. I grew up there from the ages of one to six, and travelled back at least once a year after moving to Singapore, but haven’t been back since before Covid. I love how the city’s buzz and coastal calm come together – plus, the food and shopping are second to none.

The Lana in Dubai is the best hotel I’ve ever stayed in. It’s my go-to whenever we visit, ticking every box for a proper luxury experience. Plus, the Dior Spa makes it the perfect place to unwind and recharge. 

A bucket list trip I’m determined to make happen is a European road trip. There are two versions in my head. One involves a snazzy sports car, the south of France and long lunches by the sea. The other is a winter escape in a Land Rover or Bentley headed for the Alps. I’ve also just discovered the Eurostar now allows pets, so I’m plotting a chic weekend in Paris with my cat Toulouse in tow.

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