Before whimsy became an internet aesthetic, MENA stars were already having their fun with it.
Long before the internet decided to give every outfit an aesthetic name, MENA pop culture had its own very specific relationship with fashion that was playful, theatrical and occasionally delightfully excessive. On screen, in music videos and on stage, our biggest stars understood that getting dressed could be an exercise in fantasy, not just looking polished.
This archive is for the looks that leaned into that spirit. Think candy-coloured layers, unexpected textures, playful silhouettes, giant hair and outfits that seem to exist purely because they were fun. Across the 80s, 90s and 2000s, these MENA stars made a case for dressing with a little imagination.
Yousra | 1981
Before the polished pop looks of the 2000s, Egyptian cinema was already having plenty of fun with colour. Behind the scenes of 'Laylat Shetaa Dafe'a' ('A Warm Winter Night'), Egyptian actress Yousra appears in a vivid purple look, perched on a bicycle on a farm. It is an effortlessly charming snapshot of early 80s Egyptian cinema, when even an ordinary day in the countryside could come with a very good outfit.
Sherihan | 1985
Sherihan was never exactly interested in keeping things ordinary. The Egyptian actress, singer and entertainer built a career around spectacle, with her style often matching the playful theatricality of her performances. This 1985 moment captures that distinctly vintage kind of whimsy, where dressing up was allowed to feel like part of the fantasy.
Sherine Abdel Wahab | 2002
Sherine Abdel Wahab was the original whimsy girl before anyone had coined the term. In 2002, she paired a Juicy Couture tank with a huge, bouncy blowout and eye makeup that somehow managed to be both sultry and sweet. It is peak early-2000s pop styling, back when being a little extra was simply part of the assignment.
Elissa | 2002
Elissa's early-2000s era came with colour to spare. During the period of her hit Ayshalak, the Lebanese singer embraced a purple, orange and yellow colour-blocked maxi dress that feels like a very 2002 interpretation of dressing for maximum fun.
Nancy Ajram | 2003
Nancy Ajram appears to have asked one very important question before filming her 2003 video for 'Sehr Uyounu': why wear one knit when you can wear approximately all of them? The Lebanese singer layered a colourful knit beanie, red pullover, green jacket, fishnet stockings and heeled boots for the Beirut shoot, directed by Nadine Labaki. Weather report: unclear. Commitment to the look: undeniable.
Mona Zaki | 2006
For her portrayal of Soad Hosny in the 2006 television series 'Al-Cinderella', Egyptian actress Mona Zaki stepped into one of Egypt's most iconic screen personas. This particular look keeps the mood sweet and playful, with a bright pink top and short hair that channels the youthful charm associated with Hosny. It is costume as character-building, with whimsy doing some of the storytelling.
Haifa Wehbe | 2008
Then there is Haifa Wehbe, who understood that if you are going to do whimsy, you might as well commit. In 2008, she went pink from head to toe in a full ballerina-inspired look, complete with soft tulle, delicate diamonds and a feathered hair clip. The whole thing looks like a wind-up music box got a very glamorous MENA pop-star makeover.
