Allison Sarofim’s birth was celebrated with a Mark Rothko. That gift—from her father to her mother—set the tone for a creatively exalting life. The patron moves effortlessly between worlds few can permeate: the rarefied circles of the art world, where institutions like Ballroom Marfa count Sarofim as a founding board member; the realm of beauty, where her Loulu Hawai‘i line cemented her as an early adopter of clean skincare; and the fashion sphere, where she is a member of the invite-only philanthropic charter Friends of the CFDA.
Raised in an art-rich Houston home, Sarofim developed a discerning and cosmopolitan eye that now informs every facet of her life. She first drew inspiration from Hawaii’s lush landscapes for her skincare line at a family property in Oahu, designed by Modernist architect Vladimir Ossipoff. At her equally serene New York abode, she sat down with CULTURED to chat about the legacy her parents left her, and the one she’s carving out for herself.
Where does the story of your personal collection begin?
Well, I could start at the very beginning. I was born in Houston, Texas, and my parents were friendly with Mark Rothko. My father gave my mother a Rothko when she gave birth to me. My mother then generously gave the picture to me on my 30th birthday, which was a huge surprise as well as unbelievably generous. It is a very personal and special piece. What is the first piece you ever bought? An Andy Warhol gold-leaf portrait of Stuart Preston. Years later, my friend Bob Colacello visited and shared a few stories about Stuart and pointed out his initials in the corner, which gave the picture not only context but history.
What was your biggest influence in fostering your passion for art?
That’s very simple—my parents. I grew up in a house where we were surrounded by artists and art. My father was, and my mother is, a great patron of the arts. She was appointed by [Dominique] de Menil in 1996 to be the life trustee of the Menil Collection.
Are you working on any new projects at Ballroom Marfa?
We just acquired the 75-year-old Auction Sale Barn. Long known as the Bull Room, it is a historic barn that was used by the Hereford Cattle Association to auction cattle and has been transformed into a performing arts space by Ballroom Marfa. We have had 350 music shows over the past 22 years, so it all makes perfect sense. We want to create a magical, intimate venue in West Texas that hosts dance, film, music performances, and theater while we continue to empower and shine a spotlight on visual artists.
Why create a beauty line? What was missing from that world, and what made you feel ready to offer it?
When I started my cosmetic journey, there were not a lot of clean skincare products on the market, which I felt was really missing from the luxury beauty space. After spending so much time in Hawaii, I saw the potential of certain botanicals and was so inspired by the spirit of aloha that permeates the islands.
What is next for Loulu Hawaiʻi in 2026?
2026 will bring innovative new products incorporating two potent, new proprietary ingredients from our lab in Hawai’i. We are also launching our Discovery Kit, so customers can either give Loulu a whirl or enjoy travel-size versions of their favorites! Early 2026 will also see our AM and PM elixirs highlighted. I truly believe in a holistic inside-out approach to beauty—topicals and ingestibles are both important.
How, for you, do the worlds of collecting and beauty overlap?
I am extremely lucky that I grew up with so much visual stimulation. Art has provided the framework in the way I see the world, the way I experience nature, and the way I look at fashion, architecture, objects, and even food. I see beauty in the most random, mundane, and often unexpected things. I think you can find beauty in almost anything if you are open and looking. This perspective informed my approach to creating Loulu Hawai‘i. A friend of mine observed that Loulu was my love letter to Hawaii. It is a place I love, a place of healing, calm, and renewal.
What is your philosophy around innovation and efficacy?
It’s simple: be creative and use innovation to elevate the efficacy of your products. For example, we use sustainable bio-farming to grow microalgae in our Honolulu lab, upholding the Hawaiian principle of aloha ‘aina, respect and care for the land. Precision fermentation allows our Hawaiian microalgae to grow under optimal conditions, which produces consistent specialty compounds with known beneficial efficacies for the skin, all without disrupting the local flora. Our scientists are truly amazing. Having our lab on Oahu has allowed us to dream and think big.
Which work in your home provokes the most conversation from visitors?
An olive Fontana, as it’s a less-used color, and an Agnes Martin, which is unquestionably beautiful and serene. It’s like a deep, therapeutic breath.
What piece of advice would you give someone who wants to get into collecting?
I grew up in an art family, and do think that I absorbed a strong appreciation for art through exposure. I am also a very visual and curious person so I would say, train your eye, educate yourself, and think outside of the box. The best advice I ever received was to buy what I love, not necessarily what looks good on paper or is trendy. It doesn’t have to be expensive to build a collection. Learn to trust your instincts. I have childrens’ artwork or found objects alongside some of the greats.
in your life?
