In a world where style intersects substance, Sarah Langa is an unapologetic curator of dreams, seamlessly translating luxury fashion moments into stories of empowerment and African elegance. Her Instagram feed is not only a mood board of couture and travel — it’s a prelude to something greater.
As the calendar turns to 2026, she will launch SL Interiors, her interior design studio where architecture meets heritage, and sophistication meets soul. This isn’t just a launch; it’s a redefinition of legacy.
In conversation with Sarah Langa
YLA: Describe your personal aesthetic in three words…
Sarah: Expressive, explorative, and African.
YLA: What’s the first thing you notice when you walk into a beautifully designed space?
Sarah: I naturally focus on the finer details – from the quality of the joinery to how the art communicates with the interiors. I look for storytelling and synergy.
YLA: Which interior designer do you most admire, and why?
Sarah: Kerry Hill, the late Australian architect, is someone I deeply admire. He had an extraordinary ability to design spaces that are modern yet rooted in place, climate, and culture.
I also admire Meyer Davis Studio for their effortless blend of sophistication and warmth. Their interiors are luxurious without being intimidating, and they create spaces that feel curated yet entirely liveable.
YLA: Home feels like…
Sarah: A story. It represents what it feels like to be African through my own lived experience, from 1993 to now. It’s a constantly evolving reflection of where I’ve been, where I am, and where I’m going.
YLA: What’s the one item in your home that best captures your personality?
Sarah: My S-Curve couch. I designed it in 2020 with my sister’s mother-in-law, and it was the first furniture piece I ever created. It sits in my formal lounge and represents my new beginnings as I moved into my first home. It is a deeply sentimental piece that I hope to keep forever.
YLA: How do you want people to feel when they walk into your space?
Sarah: I want them to feel my vulnerability. My home is where I unwind and where I exist most authentically. It’s a canvas that tells my story, so I want people to feel like they truly know me when they enter my space.
YLA: Paris is your playground. What’s your favourite restaurant or café there?
Sarah: Hôtel Costes will always be my favourite. I also really enjoy the new Kinugawa Rive Gauche.
YLA: Paris or New York?
Sarah: New York.
YLA: A city that has most inspired your sense of design?
Sarah: London – which is why I chose to study interior design there. The city has an extraordinary culture of craftsmanship and attention to detail, which has shaped how I approach materials and finishing at SL Interiors.
London’s architectural diversity exposed me to a rich design history that taught me how to layer eras and narratives timelessly, while remaining strongly rooted in my African identity.
YLA: What’s your packing rule for long-haul travel?
Sarah: I pack using a simple three-section approach:
- Essentials in one pouch for easy access.
- Functional layers that mix and match in different climates.
- A few statement pieces to be ready for any unexpected dinners or events.
YLA: Travel essentials you never leave home without?
Sarah: I always carry silver spray, which I use as a sanitiser and for immune support. Long travel takes a toll on me, so prevention is important. I never travel with expensive jewellery because high-value pieces create unnecessary anxiety.
YLA: What’s your favourite hotel?
Sarah: Cheval Blanc St Barths remains special to me because of its exceptional hospitality, breathtaking views, and the warmth and privacy it offers.
YLA: What’s the best view you’ve ever woken up to?
Sarah: Cape Town’s Atlantic Seaboard. The mountains meeting the ocean with that incredible morning light is unforgettable.
YLA: Local designers you’re loving?
Sarah: Rich Mnisi for his bold storytelling and strong African voice. Mmusomaxwell for the impeccable craftsmanship and the way the designs celebrate the modern African woman.
And Thebe Magugu for his intellectual approach to fashion and his ability to translate culture and history into beautifully constructed garments.
YLA: Gucci or Louis Vuitton?
Sarah: Gucci.
YLA: What’s your most-worn item in your wardrobe?
Sarah: My double-breasted leather jacket, designed by Olivier Rousteing. I wear it almost every week because it is powerful, structured, and timeless.
YLA: How do you dress for the airport?
Sarah: Comfort comes first. I dress in breathable fabrics, always layer for changing temperatures, and wear shoes that are easy to remove. I like to look relaxed but polished.
YLA: What’s your current signature scent?
Sarah: Hermès Barenia EDP. It’s warm, subtle, and confident.
YLA: A beauty ritual you never skip?
Sarah: Vitamin C masks and exfoliation. Travel affects my skin, and exfoliating keeps it smooth and bright while vitamin C restores radiance and fights dullness.
YLA: Where was your last holiday, who did you go with, and what made it special?
Sarah: My last trip was a brand trip with the Belmond Group and Andrea Iyamah at the Belmond in Anguilla. It was special because it brought together luxury hospitality and African creativity most beautifully and intentionally.
YLA: Who is your ultimate style icon, past or present?
Sarah: My grandmother. She was a designer and taught me how to use my hands to create. Her elegance and skill continue to inspire me.
YLA: If you could swap wardrobes with anyone for a week, who would it be?
Sarah: Jewellery designer and founder of KNC Beauty, Kristen Noel Crawley. Her style mixes structure with ease, luxury with playfulness, and trends with individuality in a way that feels instinctive rather than performative.
I imagine stepping into her wardrobe would feel like trying on a different creative lens –expressed through a completely different visual language.
YLA: What’s your fine dining go-to in South Africa?
Sarah: FYN and Pier in Cape Town. Both offer world-class culinary artistry and are thoughtful in their approach to flavour, atmosphere, and detail. Dining at either restaurant feels like an experience, not just a meal.
YLA: What’s next on your travel wish list?
Sarah: Brazil for my birthday in February. I want to experience Carnival and immerse myself in the culture, rhythm, colour, and energy.
YLA: What are you most looking forward to in 2026?
Sarah: The launch of SL Interiors. This milestone represents independence, purpose, and my commitment to shaping the African design narrative. I want SL Interiors to merge global sophistication with African stories, materials, and philosophies. It is not just a business for me – it’s my legacy.
Photographer: Edward Wendt @edwardwendt. Hair: Dior Kenzi @hairfromkz. Make-up: Olamide Kolade @lammiescencesignature. Creative Direction: Tracey Desalu. Location: Hotel Bowmann / BoF Location: The Shangri-La Paris. Styling Team: Ashluxe. Styling: Lucas Nascimento.
