Sam and Gloria Malouf Take San Francisco
You might say it all started with fashion, philanthropy and shared family heritage. Sam and Gloria Malouf first met in 1995, a few years after Sam had moved to California to help run a clothing boutique on Burlingame Avenue with his large and formerly Texas-based retail family. He outfitted a fundraiser for a Lebanese organization and spotted one of the models across the room, who was also helping the organization. As it happened, she had grown up going to Britex Fabrics with her seamstress grandmother to learn to cut patterns and sew. “I was putting everything away, and I look over the table and I see her,” Sam recalls. “That is the girl I’m going to marry.”
Over the years since, the couple indeed married and had three daughters while running what is now Sam Malouf Authentic Luxury. The retail staple on the Peninsula is adored for its curated, well-tailored menswear and womenswear in a shared space, carrying upscale and heritage brands like Kiton and Brunello Cucinelli — and it relaunched Chloé this past spring. The Maloufs, who recently returned from a buying trip in Europe for spring 2026, have outfitted the Parca Auxiliary’s Annual Luncheon & Fashion Show since first becoming involved more than 25 years ago and continue to support local organizations, including LymeLight Foundation, Peninsula Family Service and the San Francisco Ballet, where they twice presented the SF Ballet Auxiliary Fashion Show.
While rooted on the Peninsula, the couple had long set their sights on the City, and Sam Malouf Authentic Luxury is now open on Sacramento Street and focused on womenswear, with labels like McQueen and Lanvin. “Presidio Heights being something we’ve talked about for so many years,” Gloria says, “that location has always been alluring to us.”
Where did you each grow up? Sam: I grew up in Lubbock, Texas — West Texas. Gloria: I was born in Lebanon and then came in ’79 during the Civil War and lived five years in Vegas, but most of my life has been in Northern California.
If we asked your 7-year-old selves what they wanted to be when they grew up, what would they have said? Gloria: A doctor, always wanted to be a doctor, but darn sciences and dissections. I was like, no thank you. Sam: I don’t even know if I was aware of a profession in that sense of doing something. I do know that I liked clothes long before I knew that my dad owned a clothing store.
What neighborhood do you live in today? Sam: San Mateo Park.
By Jennifer Massoni PardiniSam: Our favorite restaurant, ironically, is Spruce. We love to take our vendors there and love the neighborhood. Gloria: Flour + Water is the other one that we’ve been going to for years. And one of our new favorite restaurants is Ethel’s Fancy in Palo Alto. A must try!
How about a shop or store? Gloria: I love housewares as much as I love fashion. I’ve always loved Emily Joubert. Judy [Sieber]’s a wonderful person. And recently Found by Maja on Sacramento Street. Sam: I always enjoy Hermès wherever I go due to their impeccable execution.
Any hidden gems that you’re willing to share with us? Gloria: One of my favorite butchers that I love to go to if I have the time is in the City, and it’s called Olivier’s [Butchery]. We do a special Lebanese tartare, so you need to have a special meat. It has to be super fresh and ground a certain way, and they’re the ones that know how to do it.
Where can we find you on the weekends? Sam: The golf course or poolside. I love being in the sun and the fresh air. Gloria: The kitchen or poolside. We love hosting in our home with friends, vendors and clients who become our friends.
Giants, 49ers, Warriors, Valkyries, Sharks, Earthquakes or Bay FC? Gloria: We go to many Giants games. We take the kids all the time, just for fun and support.
What local event do you look forward to all year? Gloria: We do a lot of charity events. The ballet, generally the opening night, is when I leave for Paris, so I got lucky last year to go. Parca in the sense that it brings the community, it brings fashion, it brings a great cause. Sam: There are always a few charity events that are consistent through the year like Hillsborough Schools Foundation, Parca and LymeLight, but we always enjoy doing something new. My philosophy is never say no. You can always give something or be a part of something. Be as generous as you can.
What’s a fashion trend we should be on the lookout for this fall? Gloria: I’m definitely seeing the move away from super-clean aesthetics … so I’m excited about that, and just textures and layering and fringe and grommets, more playfulness I’d say. Sam: We are seeing a trend toward more relaxed and easy fit, reminiscent of when clothing had drape and a little more flow. Men’s fashions move slower and follow women’s. We are able to anticipate where we are going, guiding our clients forward each season so that it is not drastic, and they can build in new pieces to their wardrobe as they trend others out.
