Selects: Fashion Creative Alya Nassar’s Guide to an Eclectic Summer

Alya Nassar genuinely believes you cannot leave an outfit undisturbed. A coordinated palette wants a third disobedient colour, a summer dress might need cowboy boots and a simple silhouette invites for a sculptural necklace or an eccentric bag. “When everything is too matchy-matchy, it can lose personality,” she tells SceneStyled. “I prefer when there is one unexpected piece that makes you look twice.”

The Egyptian fashion creative, stylist and content creator thinks of dressing as atmosphere-building. Nasser’s references span Cher’s unapologetic glamour, the hazy summers of her childhood in Agami, flea-market discoveries, Mediterranean light and the hundreds of brick-by-brick built playlists that soundtrack her life. Music, in particular, has always supplied the mood. “Music is my biggest influence. A song can instantly create a world in my head and inspire me to dress more expressively, maximally and eclectically,” she says.

Nassar studied fashion design and pattern-making at ESMOD Dubai before launching her own ready-to-wear label, a project she hopes to revisit. Her maximalism is playful, but it is also indiscriminate. There is, as she puts it, “intention behind the chaos.”

For her SceneStyled Selects, Nassar builds six expressions of an eclectic summer through swinging fringe, embroidered surfaces, vivid florals and metallic flashes.

Look One | Fringe Benefits

“Everyday life can feel overly minimal, pushing people towards clothes that feel safe. I have always imagined a world with more personality. I am drawn to pieces that feel alive because they make me feel alive too.”

Christopher Esber | Bandana-Print Scarf-Tie Top

ETRO | Paisley-Print Fringed Silk Skirt

Simon Miller | Island Salerno Sandals

ETRO | Small Linen-Blend Kalispera Bag with Embroidery and Fringes

Ben-Amun | Exclusive La Isla Set-of-Two Resin Bangles

Look Two | Macramé Drama

“My go-to pieces for an eclectic summer look are the ones that make people stop and ask questions: sculptural sunglasses, chunky jewellery, unusual belts or bold, textured sets.”

Rosie Assoulin | Return of the Mac(rame) Linen-Blend Crop Top

Rosie Assoulin | Macrame Pizzants Linen-Blend Flared Pants

Gianvito Rossi | 70mm Shanti Embellished Heeled Sandals

Marlies Grace | Exclusive The Marlies Clutch

Charlotte Mercy | Vermont Sunglasses

Look Three | Silver Lining

“Balancing bold colours, prints and textures starts with trusting your eye. I also use the third-colour rule to break up anything too coordinated.”Pucci | Fringed Vivara Long Dress

Jimmy Choo | 85mm Love Embroidery Heeled Pumps

The Hold Label | Capacity for Presence Bag Silver

Prada Eyewear | Runway Embellished Rimless Sunglasses

Look Four | Island Time

“Milos and Mallorca embody an effortless, mysterious kind of maximalism; they are expressive without feeling forced, and shaped by music, passion, nature and freedom.”

All That Remains | Exclusive La Isla Mika Beaded Cotton Strapless Top

All That Remains | Exclusive La Isla Mika Fringed Beaded Cotton Midi Skirt

Jimmy Choo | Jelly Drop 50 Light Lagoon Jelly Sandals

STAUD | Lila Embellished Mini Bag

Cult Gaia | Analeia Wooden Cuff Set

Julietta | Nautilus Rhodium-Plated Resin and Shell Earrings

Look Five | Heat Index

“My unofficial styling rule is that if your partner finds your outfit weird, it will probably turn out to be a very good look.”

Diotima | Exclusive Embroidered Midi Halter Dress

Rabanne | 95mm Paillette-Embellished Sandals

Rabanne | Iconic Skyline 1969 Nano Bag

Hugo Kreit | Pistil Mega Hoops

Look Six | Night Bloom

“There is nothing wrong with a coordinated look, but when everything is too matchy-matchy, it can lose personality.”DISSH | Phoebe Black Scoop Neck Tank Top

Dries Van Noten | Floral-Print Ruffled Skirt

Alaïa | Invisible Jewel Wedge Sandals

Valentino Garavani | Nellicôte Paisley-Embroidered Shoulder Bag

Julietta | Lina Rhodium-Plated Brass, Resin and Carnelian Cuff

Julietta | Astra Rhodium-Plated Brass, Onyx and Carnelian Necklace