Syrian pop sensation Assala Nasri is a champion of the Arab world. Not only because her award-winning albums and sold-out concerts in her almost three-decade-long career have redefined the regional music industry but also because of the way she more often than not dons designers from the Middle East in a collective celebration of creatives hailing from the region. Whether Nasri is on-stage or off, the Cairo-based vocalist is usually a vision of royalty in shimmering floor-length gowns and embellished ensembles. While Nasri has built a special relationship with many Arab designers, perhaps her longstanding one with Lebanese couturier Nicolas Jebran is the most notable. In fact, it’s because of this deep-rooted trust with Jebran that the Arab singer became one of Vogue Arabia’s third-anniversary cover stars this March, Nasri shared during her exclusive interview.
Whether it’s a vibrant sequin number reminiscent of the UAE flag from a performance on an Abu Dhabi stage or a romantic off-the-shoulder cape silhouette fitting for a Valentine’s Day concert in Egypt, the Ya Majnoun artist has dazzled in Jebran’s modest masterpieces over the years. Speaking about his longstanding muse, the designer describes Nasri as “A shining star. A happy, rebellious, capricious, and positive spirit who never surrenders and who removes obstacles with her music.”
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One glance through Nasri’s Instagram profile and it’s clear the Damascus-born musician is a devotee of shimmer and sparkle, a motif in which both La Bourjoisie and Yousef Al Jasmi are expertly versed. From a midnight-blue dress decorated with feathers and beading comparable to twinkling stars to a bejeweled dusty rose princess ball gown, Nasri dons creations from the two Kuwaiti labels in elegant displays of all that glitters.
Saudi designer Tima Abid is another of Nasri’s favorites and the musician was one of the regional personalities in attendance at Abid’s coveted Paris Haute Couture Week debut in January. Considering the show’s finale, a “gorgeous” wedding dress that Nasri told Vogue Arabia was “one of the most beautiful I have seen”, it’s no surprise Nasri’s choice of outfits from the Jeddah atelier consist of similar styles of sheer draping and embroidered sleeves reflective of the brand’s contemporary feminine nature.
Scroll through the gallery above for more of the superstar’s memorable looks both under the spotlight and behind-the-scenes.
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