Sanctuary has planted its flag.
After nearly three decades of building a contemporary business through wholesale partnerships and a direct-to-consumer channel, the Los Angeles brand founded in 1997 by husband-and-wife team Ken and Debra Polanco is entering a new chapter with the opening of its 2,000-square-foot flagship at 358 N. Beverly Drive in Beverly Hills.
Starting as a bottoms-driven brand, Sanctuary earned a following for its cargos and utility pants before expanding into ready-to-wear, petites, curve, swim, footwear and accessories.
“We wanted to master the fit of pants,” said Debra Polanco, cofounder and creative chief officer.
It was the height of the premium denim boom in L.A. at the time, and Sanctuary set itself apart. “We decided to be the alternative to denim.”
Sanctuary’s flagship in Beverly Hills.
Early on, Anthropologie was a key supporter, helping lay the groundwork for broader wholesale expansion, which today accounts for 70 percent of the business and includes partners such as Nordstrom and Bloomingdale’s. The company now generates more than $200 million in annual retail sales and has delivered double-digit year-over-year growth across channels, according to the brand.
“Our bottoms are still 50 percent of our business,” Polanco went on.
Core drivers continue to be washed army green cargos and camouflage styles, along with T-shirts (particularly its “perfect tee” and graphic styles), with bottoms and knitwear leading overall sales. The company operates dedicated teams by channel, tailoring assortments and price points across wholesale, department stores, specialty and d-to-c, Polanco said.
“We really just focused on growing the product organically with our customers,” she continued, noting that the brand’s core shopper has traditionally fallen between 30 and 50 years old.
Sanctuary’s flagship in Beverly Hills.
The decision to open its own retail store came after the brand completed its full lifestyle assortment, Polanco said.
“We had our eyes set on Beverly Drive specifically,” she said, citing the street’s mix of luxury and approachable retail, proximity to Westfield Century City mall and renewed investment ahead of the 2028 Summer Olympics. “It was always on our radar.”
That investment includes the multibillion-dollar One Beverly Hills development near Rodeo Drive at Wilshire and Santa Monica boulevards, Louis Vuitton’s mega-flagship, along with upcoming buzzy arrivals like New York Italian restaurant Sant Ambroeus.
Ken and Debra Polanco
Polanco emphasized the continued strength of in-person shopping: “People love an experience. They love a tactile experience.”
The flagship will showcase exclusive capsules, early drops and a selection of upcycled vintage and pre-loved pieces. Beyond product, the space is intended to be a testing ground for deeper customer engagement.
“This store definitely is all about the learnings and the connection,” Polanco said.
Looking ahead, Sanctuary plans to open a second flagship, most likely in New York, with a goal of operating 10 stores by 2030, she added.
Sanctuary’s flagship in Beverly Hills.
