Styled Archives: Naima Akef’s Most Memorable Looks
Known for movies ‘Tamr Henna’, ‘4 Banat we Zabat’, ‘Aziza’, and ‘Lahalibo’, Akef was not only a trailblazer in dance, but also one in fashion.
20th century Egypt saw the rise of plenty-a-stars who would come to define an era. Whether in music, cinema, or simply in the art of dancing one’s heart out to the beat of a drum and the cheers of a crowd, there are names etched in our recent history who have undeniably earned their fame. Amongst those names is Naima Akef, one of Egypt’s most pivotal figures in the 20th century bellydancing scene.
Known for movies ‘Tamr Henna’, ‘4 Banat we Zabat’, ‘Aziza’, and ‘Lahalibo’, Akef was not only a trailblazer in dance, but also one in fashion. From her glittering belly dancer ensembles to the elegance she carried in her off-screen looks, her style captured the vibrancy of mid-20th-century Egypt. For this week’s Styled Archives, we’re taking a look back at Naima Akef’s most memorable moments.
Performance in Tamr Henna | 1957
Naima Akef dazzled in a sparkling belly dancer costume adorned with intricate details, her rhythmic sagat movements bringing an iconic performance to life.
With her son Mohamed Salaheldeen Abdel Aleem | 1965
Before her performance at the Youth Festival in Moscow | 1957
From the ‘Save Naima Akef's Life’ article in El-Kawakeb Magazine | 1965
On the cover of El-Kawakeb Magazine | 1955
At her home | 1956
Getting into costume for a photoshoot | 1954
Still from Halawet El Hob | 1952
On vacation | Circa 1950s
