For our final instalment of Sydney photo diaries this month, we wanted to ring it out with one of the most stylish people we know. To put it straight: if you don't know Nawal, then you've been missing out on some of the best outfit inspo around.
She took us along to her pretty chill week — "I decided to do less shows this year and do a more relaxed fashion week" and filled us in on some of the best moments. A lot of the faves were straight out of the Asiyam show, where designer Asia Hassan drew in a dazzling audience of modest fashion creatives: "The attendees are always extravagantly dressed". And a notable mention for the final bridal look, which was completed with a keffiyeh. Because it's Free Free Palestine, every single day.
Name: Nawal Sari
Nickname: ZugZug or Ziggy
Star Sign: Aquarius
For those who don’t already know you, can you give us your elevator pitch:
I'm a digital creative, and most of my content is around fashion and beauty.
Best song/soundtrack you heard backstage/at a show:
I really enjoyed the soundtrack at the Beare Park show. It felt nostalgic and moving. I loved hearing The Shangri-Las 'Past, Present & Future' on the runway. It was captivating and fun!!
The most surprising thing about the fashion week this year?
I had a good think about this and honestly wasn't surprised about much! I decided to do less shows this year and do a more relaxed fashion week and I think the only surprising thing was that everyone tried to do the same thing!
Best new person you had the pleasure to meet backstage/during the week:
I think you do see the same people often at AFW, but a notable mention would be Mimi Elashiry. Loved her outfits this week, she paid homage to her egyptian heritage with a lot of them and supported small businesses, what's not to love about that!
Top five essentials in your fashion week bag:
My digital camera, my camcorder, Huda Beauty lip products, Mini perfume and hijab pins in case I have a bad hijab day.
Coolest (street style) look you saw outside the shows?
Not one look comes to mind, but the modest fashion inspo outside of the Asiyam show on the last day is always amazing! Her shows bring in a lot of modest fashion creatives as it is a modest fashion label, and the attendees are always extravagantly dressed.
Best statement made at a show?
At the Asiyam show, the last look, which was a bridal look, walked out in the final walk with a Palestinian keffiyeh around her shoulders. It was the only show to pay respects to Palestine.
Describe what’s going through your head getting dressed to head to a show:
This year, I made an effort to wear whatever I had in my wardrobe and try to loan as little as I could, so I planned my outfits prior and tried to embody some cultural references in my looks, also with makeup or headpieces.
Best TikTok/YouTube/reel/meme to sum up your week:
What did you do to recoup after fashion week?
Stay home, watch Monk and clean up the mess I made from the week, lol!!
What are you looking forward to the most for Australian Fashion Week next year?
Hopefully more diversity and elevated looks. Would love to see more recognition of creatives who put so much effort into their looks and content etc.
Also hope to be able to attend a Fashion Week in a world where Palestine is free <3
Photos: Nawal Sari
Features Editor: Chloe Hill
We acknowledge the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation as the traditional owners of the land on which Fashion Week took Place.
