I-ELLA:  Tell us a little about what you do.
SAM SABOURA:  I have a lot of plates spinning at once.  I work as a Stylist, TV Host, Personal Shopper, Designer and I'm an Editor and Author as well.  I'm thrilled to be relaunching my womenswear line this November on ShopNBC.  It's one of the most enjoyable jobs I have, I get to travel to our NY offices every month or so which is amazing and a nice change from LA. The line is really a natural extension of what I do everyday with women and style so I'm right at home and I have an amazing team. Since, it's TV retail, the collection is piece driven with lots of great knits, tops and some incredible faux leathers.  It's on trend, but not trendy and the styles are meant to flatter all ages, shapes and sizes.

I-ELLA:  How did you get into fashion?
SAM SABOURA:  I really started my career working at Fred Segal on Melrose.  I spent my 20s there and had the opportunity to work with the most incredible clients.  During the late 90s that store was everything in LA, celebrities, designers, stylist, models and photographers were there every day.  I created my position as personal shopper there and got the chance to work with people like Brad Pitt, Sarah Jessica Parker, Valentino, Karl Lagerfeld, Ringo Starr, Jude Law, Jennifer Aniston. You name them and I worked with them. It was a dream job and it helped launch me into styling and and subsequently TV.

I-ELLA:  What kind of clients to you mostly shop for?
SAM SABOURA:  I have a huge mix of clients, from celebrities to everyday people and I like it like that.  It's nice to bounce back and forth and it makes it more challenging. Dressing a beautiful celebrity is not the hardest thing on earth, let's be real. I love working with clients from all walks--men and women.  I started my career in menswear so working with men comes naturally and it's fun for me, but you'd be surprised how many husbands hire me to shop for their wives.

I-ELLA:  Is there a difference for you between New York fashion and LA fashion?
SAM SABOURA:  Yes, they are totally different! There's a lot more individuality in NY and I love to look at everyone and take in their personal style. It's eclectic and put together in NY. LA style can be a bit copy cat.  Everyone fixates on a look or a trend and starts to look the same (Sorry LA).  LA is much more easy and relaxed style-wise and of course a bit boho and beachy too.

I-ELLA:  Do you have a particular favorite fashion moment in your career?
SAM SABOURA:  I had the opportunity to work on the cover of Newsweek with several of the Oscar nominess from 2011.  I got to work with Michelle Williams, who has amazing style, and also Natalie Portman, Nicole Kidman, Anette Benning, Colin Firth and James Franco.  It was kind of surreal and a bit stressful but not what you'd expect, everyone was super normal which was refreshing.  

I-ELLA:  How would you define your personal style?
SAM SABOURA:  Boring (laughs)....I wear jeans, boots and plaid button down shirts most days, but I love a great jacket or cardigan.

I-ELLA:  Your favorite pieces to wear for spring and summer?
SAM SABOURA:  I'm loving all the color this spring and summer compared to the sad neutrals and buff colors of last fall.  For my clients I'm all about a print top and a dress right now.  I'm having a bit of a Boho 70s moment right now.

I-ELLA:  What always catches your eye when you're shopping?
SAM SABOURA:  Prints for sure, and hard to find pieces that are original and not cookie cutter.  There's a lot of repetition out there and it's hard to deliver for your clients when everything looks and feels the same.  Seeking out an amazing piece that is not on everyones back is a challenge.

I-ELLA:  What's the most meaningful thing in your closet and why?
SAM SABOURA:  I don't really attached to my clothes that way--OK maybe I do. I have a lot of jackets that I'll always keep and I love all my old Costume National shoes and boots. They're still great and I bust them out from time to time.  I love my og Helmut Lang pieces and I have some great Commes des Garcons and Margiela stuff that will never die.

I-ELLA:  Who is your favorite designer/brand and why?
SAM SABOURA:   For myself, right now I'm loving Gant, Woolrich and Gitman Bros shirts.  For women, Rebecca Taylor and DVF,  are my go to for casual tops and dresses and I'm obsessed with Nina Ricci and Givenchy.  I love an Alaia shoe and Hader Ackerman is amazing to me.

I-ELLA:  What's the most important piece of fashion advice you can offer to our members?
SAM SABOURA:  It's really all about the fit of your clothes and how you feel in them. Following style rules has become less and less important. It's all about experimenting, playing dress up again and breaking the rules right now.    

I-ELLA: How often do you clean out your closet?
SAM SABOURA:  Personally, I am terrible, but you should do it every six months or as the seasons change.  I have this thing I call "The Archives" in my closet.  I like to take the stuff I wear too much out of rotation and stash them in the back of my closet from time to time. This forces me to revisit other items I forgot about and helps me reinvent my style, which again can be boring...lol