Egyptian creative Nour Amr Koura approaches style with an intuitive ease, grounding every look in comfort and movement. Starting out in Graphic Design before moving into photography, art direction, and fashion, she has developed a visual language shaped by travel and personal storytelling.

From sound-making earrings picked up in Kenya to pieces sourced from conversations with artisans at flea markets, in this edition of SELECTS, Koura reflects on the outfits and objects that define her style. In our Q&A she unpacks how she builds around comfort, dresses to empower her sense of self-acceptance, and brings her boho sensibility to every look.

Q: How would you describe your style?

Super intuitive. I try to be intentional and connect my feelings towards myself with how I kind of express it through fashion.

The base of my whole outfit is around comfort. If anyone knows me I'm always barefoot, so if I do wear shoes, I prefer to wear sandals rather than have something that confines the way I move. I wear things that are lighter and more airy throughout the day. I'm also a big fan of pieces that make sound when you move. I'm very inspired by travel and like seeing new cultures and how other people kind of present themselves.

I also don't wear black. If I'm wearing it I feel like shit.

Q: What drew you to the creative field?

Well, I would say my mother, who is an artist. There's been paintings all over our house every day. One thing she said to me struck me is you can't ruin a piece—like nothing's ever ruined in art. You can only cultivate it and make it better.

School was not the best experience, but I knew I was great at art. That was the only thing that I knew I was great at. It's so nice because I think there's a very distinctive separation between design and art. Design is more functional and made more for others. So I'm kind of trying to shift from creating for others to create for myself.

Q:Where does fashion sit in your creative practice?

I had a very different perspective on fashion before I started working in a fashion house—before it wasn’t really a pivotal thing. But when I kind of dove into it more and I realized that every single way people express themselves and how they communicate to others, the first thing that you see is what they're wearing.

Whether it's color, the silhouette, the glasses, you kind of make up this first thought about this person. And these impressions, they carry themselves throughout your life. So I think it's also an art coming from you. In a sense, it's both personal and social.

Q: How does traveling inspire your style?

I can best describe it by one of my travel moments. When we were in this village in Masai Mara, people were living very hands-on with their environment, and the way they dressed was very much about function. They wore these checkered, almost neon fabrics that made them stand out in the landscape, so they could be easily seen by other villagers. That way of thinking—where function shapes fashion choices—was really interesting to me. When you travel, you also have to travel light. You have to move easily, so you make sacrifices in what you bring. I tend to pack really basic things and then go heavy on the jewelry. I also love buying pieces while I’m traveling, so I get to know the textures of a place. I’m very drawn to cotton, linen, and silk — light, airy fabrics.

I think also your sense of style changes when you’re going out more and seeing different things and not being enclosed in the same circles or with the same people and having the same conversations. I think just letting yourself see more things makes you have a better sense of self.

Q: How fashion helped you kind of experiment with beauty and how you see yourself?

I’m very, very body conscious because I grew up as a curvier girl. When I hit my teens, I gravitated towards more baggy stuff. I wouldn’t show my body at all. I would always wear a jacket, sweatpants since I would get comments nonstop, from my teachers, from my classmates. I used to see myself through their eyes in a way.

So it was an interesting journey how I learned to make good with my body and not with how people perceived it. But then I think spirituality kind of paved the way for me with fashion. I started meditating more, and I don’t mean to be cliché, but also religion played a part. I think seeing yourself as a soul, or like a vessel in all of this, makes you feel safer within yourself, and safer to just wear whatever you feel like. So now I still wear very baggy things, and more boho things, but it’s with grace.

Q: How would you define your femininity and how does that tie with clothing?

I think I really came in contact with my femininity actually through dance. Now I kind of don't really practice it, but I still do it alone. Getting to know your body more and being in constant contact with it, not even necessarily through dance, but just through movement every day was so pivotal for me. I don't feel like there's a stranger staring back at me in the mirror. And I think it's nice when you constantly reaffirm this connection with your body and that you accept how you look at yourself and how when you wear certain things you feel good about it.

Look 1 | Hana Hayaly Earrings
Hana Hayaly Earrings
“I saw her booth on the North Coast and was immediately drawn to her work. She experiments with pearls, precious stones, and silver. Her pieces are a maximalist’s dream.”

Ferf Jacket
“I love this piece. I throw it on over anything and it instantly pulls the look together. The silhouette is so interesting — genuinely one of the Egyptian designers that really impressed me.”

Zara Silk Overalls
“Silk is always a yes for me — super comfortable and breathable. I love when something moves with me, and they do exactly that.”

Charles & Keith Platform Sandals
“I always get compliments on these. They’re the perfect balance between dainty and chunky, super comfortable, and the baby blue works so well with the brown overalls.”

Khan El Khalili Silver Anklet
“Just a small add-on, but I love the subtle sound it makes when I move.”

Look 2 | SACH Atelier Earrings
SACH Atelier Earrings
“One of my favorite jewelry brands. I actually waited for their Black Friday sale to get these from Spain. The design feels so unique — the way it wraps around the ear and takes over the shape… it honestly makes me feel like some kind of mystical creature.”

Mango Black Kitten Flats
“A staple. I wear these whenever I want to elevate an outfit, and they’re still very comfortable.”

North Coast Bloomers Pants
“I have these in three colors — they’re my go-to in summer. They remind me of the Chloé Spring/Summer 2025 lace bloomers. Super easy to dress up or down, comfortable, and lowkey sexy.”

Guess Sunglasses
“I never really wore sunglasses before. The tint is perfect — not too dark — and the shape is soft and goes with everything.”

Zara Jean Vest

Thrifted Beaded Floral Clutch

Carina Fringe Velvet Wrap

Look 3 | Kenya (Masai Mara) Earrings
Kenya (Masai Mara) Earrings
“I got these while visiting the Masai Mara. We were at a market with so many options, but I noticed one of the women selling had these on. I asked if she had the same pair, and she said no — then she gave me hers. That made them so much more special to me — they had a whole life before they came to me. The metal part was also thicker, because of the tradition of stretching earlobes there. It didn’t fit at first, which led me to learn more about it — how it symbolizes wisdom and age. I love that through jewelry, you can access stories, identity, and culture like that.”

Charles & Keith Brown Slouchy Bag
“I love this bag — it fits everything, the color is perfect, and I’m always drawn to a slouchy shape.”

Birkenstock Sandals
“These might be my favorite shoes. I’m almost always barefoot, so this is the closest feeling to that. I actually got them from the kids’ section on sale — lucky day. I’ve hiked in them and partied in them.”

Thrifted Silk Top

Father’s Olive Jorts

Zara Brown Studded Belt

Look 4 | Jude Benhalim EarringsJude Benhalim Earrings
“My everyday earrings. My mom got them for me a couple of years ago. They’re simple but elevated, and they add so much to even the most basic outfit. I also love anything with a spiral shape.”

Mom’s Old Guess Bag
“Turquoise is my aura color, so this one feels very me.”

Mom’s Bubble Skirt
“When in doubt, I pair this with a basic top. It always feels effortless but still interesting.”

Zamalak Shoes<br>