Values and Brand
Sailaal started as a lifestyle goal to live without limitations. A life based on awareness, curiosity, freedom of expression, connection, and a journey to be enveloped in the most beautiful landscapes from all over the globe. Sailaal is derived from the two Arabic words, sail (flow) and aal (elevated): a reflection of the fabric's behavior and the sensations evoked when wearing our pieces.
Wellness
At Sailaal, we care about your health and exclusively use certified clean, nontoxic fabric. Our skin, being our body’s largest organ, is porous and absorbent. Since your body is your temple, we are mindful that what you put on is just as important as what you put in.
We also share healthy living tips through our blog, and donate certified non-toxic, organic cotton baby rompers to newborns in need, promoting clean living from life’s earliest stages.
Sustainability
The drastic increase in consumerism and fast fashion have had harmful effects on our planet and species. We are advocates for purchasing less and investing in quality, durable products. This minimalist approach helps us collectively create a more balanced and harmonious world.
We use eco-friendly, natural fabrics and ensure our trims, hang tags, and packaging meet strict certifications. Researching and sourcing these materials is time-consuming and costly, but we’re happy to do the hard work so you can enjoy our pieces guilt-free.
Ethical Labor
Sailaal is built on fair labor practices. We produce everything in small batches in New York City, where we develop relationships with the production team and engage in quality control. We are also a proud member of Made in NYC, a nonprofit initiative that supports local manufacturers and makers in NYC.
Transparency
We want you to have complete agency over your purchasing decisions, which is why we list on our website every detail, including materials, suppliers, and price breakdown.
Self-expression and Versatility
Rawness. Wholeness. Simplicity. Luxury. Sailaal encourages a wide range of expression. We want you to feel enigmatic yet seen, sensual yet sophisticated, confident yet grounded. Our versatile designs can be dressed up or down, so get creative.
About the Designer
Lamees Alshawkani is a full-time doctor of optometry based in New York City's chic SoHo neighborhood, drawing endless inspiration from her vibrant and fashion-conscious patients. She’s always been into style and while she initially envisioned developing an eyewear brand, her passion shifted towards clothing after graduating optometry school and assembling her own outfits in costume-inspired events.
In 2017, Lamees enrolled in a fashion business online class. However, she lacked a clear strategy at the time and paused the course. Fortunately, she found inspiration for her vision after discovering the biohacking space in 2019 and experimenting with ways to enhance energy and reduce brain fog. This included scrutinizing the ingredients in everyday food, personal care, and household products, which in turn, led her to question the safety of her clothing. Although many brands were making strides in sustainability, Lamees noticed a gap in clean fashion—an area she felt compelled to address.
So, craving a creative outlet beyond optometry, she returned to her fashion venture during the pandemic with clearer goals, and launched Sailaal in 2023. The use of materials free from harmful chemicals was non-negotiable. Furthermore, sustainable practices had to be a cornerstone because although she was born in New York City to a Yemeni diplomat, Lamees' upbringing spanned Yemen, Ethiopia, and Belgium before moving back to the United States in her teens. This diverse background instilled in her a profound appreciation for travel and a commitment to protecting our remarkable planet.
Lamees’ multicultural exposure is also the reason why some of her designs integrate the loose-fitting styles of her middle eastern heritage with contemporary, western-style cutouts, honoring her upbringing while empowering authentic expression.
When not seeing patients or working on Sailaal, Lamees loves to travel, dance, hike, explore NYC, or work on Relationship Fortification, a simple framework that she and her husband created for people to have honest conversations that help their relationship soar.
