Ever since Aya Nakamura’s rise to fame has rivaled that of Édith Piaf, and the possibility of her performing one of her songs at the upcoming Olympic Games has emerged, critics have been relentless. Whether it be lyrics failing to meet the purist standards of far-right listeners or a personality deemed too arrogant, the 28-year-old singer cannot seem to escape scrutiny.
Throughout her career, Nakamura has faced discrimination at nearly every turn. From TV hosts (deliberately) mispronouncing her name to public debates over her unconventional use of the French language, it seems that the singer can seldom be judged by her music alone. And yet, she is the most streamed French singer in the world. With her infectious hits about love and relationships, France’s number-one superstar is known for her distinctive urban sound, a cross between Afrobeats and Caribbean zouk, blending at once French, English, Arabic, and Bambara—the latter being the Malian language inherited from her parents, who happened to be griots, poets and storytellers of oral tradition.
No female singer in French history, not even Piaf at the peak of her career, can match her influence; the music video for her hit song “Djadja” has been viewed almost a billion times on YouTube, and her sophomore album, “NAKAMURA,” has crossed the one billion streams mark on Spotify. Last year, when she announced two concerts at the legendary Bercy arena in Paris, tickets sold out in a mere fifteen minutes—an unprecedented feat for a French-speaking artist, let alone a French black woman.
But right-wing politicians have voiced strong opposition to Nakamura’s potential appearance at the Olympics, with some going as far as accusing President Emmanuel Macron of degrading French culture if he agrees to her singing one of Piaf’s songs at the event.
This controversy is precisely the reason for this article: highlighting Nakamura’s achievements is crucial amidst ongoing criticism. Her impact on French culture cannot be understated, regardless of what her detractors might say. Even in the realm of fashion, Nakamura’s presence is felt, with her stylistic choices regularly making headlines. By celebrating Nakamura’s best fashion moments, we therefore seek to recognize her as a trailblazing artist and accord her the recognition she rightly deserves.
After celebrating its hundredth anniversary, Vogue Paris became Vogue France in November 2021. Introducing a revitalized editorial line tailored to a younger demographic, the fashion magazine made history by featuring the singer on the cover of its very first issue, making Aya Nakamura the first French-speaking black woman to grace its cover. A divine diva, Nakamura poses bare-shouldered in an electric blue Balenciaga Haute Couture coat, accentuated by an equally dramatic, oversized capeline hat. Her eyes meet those of readers in this pared-down, yet vibrant photoshoot, which inevitably brings to mind former divas such as Grace Jones.
2. Cannes Festival
For her debut appearance at the Cannes Film Festival in 2022, Nakamura walked up the steps in a sleek, floor-draping Balenciaga gown. Sporting an effortlessly chic chignon, perhaps a nod to iconic French actress and eternal Riviera resident Brigitte Bardot, she showcased one of the brand’s now-familiar silhouettes; an all-black look, gloves included, drawing the eye to her exposed back and discreet Repossi jewelry.
The singer’s affection for the Balenciaga brand has found expression in their 2022 Balenciaga x Aya Nakamura collaboration—a limited, unisex collection imagined in the tradition of concert merchandising. Alongside an exclusive playlist created by the singer, the collection consisted of two t-shirts and a hoodie inspired by ‘90s rap culture. The clothes featured a promotional image of Nakamura, framed by the phrases “La Nakamurance” and “Limited edition Merch.” An hourglass bag in silver leather, embellished with the singer’s own autograph, was also available as part of this groundbreaking collection.
As part of its 2023 advertising campaign, Lancôme held an exceptional event at the Louvre Museum. With the aim of celebrating beauty, this unprecedented collaboration between two of France’s most influential cultural powers gave rise to a unique gala evening, during which art helped amplify a feminist message. The event spotlighted a new skincare and makeup line, inspired by eight sculptures that echo modern views on femininity. This collection was brought to life by Lancôme’s ambassadors, Zendaya, He Cong, Amanda Seyfried, and Aya Nakamura, with each embodying the essence of the selected artworks.At the gala, Nakamura wore a black sheath dress by Maison Alaïa, whose cut-outs strategically showcased a sleek belly piercing. Enhanced by Tiffany & Co. jewelry, including an incredible serpenti necklace, the look was tied together with golden sandal-heels by Jordanian-Romanian fashion designer Amina Muaddi. For an added touch of glam, she opted for a feline smokey eye and a sleek chignon, ensuring her to promote the notion of beauty advocated by the collection she represented.
During her record-breaking concerts at the Bercy arena in May 2023, one fashion piece in particular stood out: her custom thigh-high boots by Pierre Hardy. Renowned for his whimsical and vintage-flavored designs, Pierre Hardy, the creative force behind the esteemed fashion house of the same name, designed these metallic platform boots in collaboration with the singer’s personal stylist, Ayoub Agourram. Paired with a reimagined version of Paco Rabanne’s emblematic disc-dress, another piece made-to-measure for the singer, the boots were also coordinated with a pair of silver earrings from French jeweler Burma.
At the more recent Schiaparelli Fall-Winter 24/25 show, Nakamura dared a bolder look, in line with the surrealist aesthetic of the brand. Her hair styled in a loose, platinum-blonde chignon, the singer wore a fitted black velvet dress suspended by a golden, coral-like bijou. Dipping down the back into a V-shape, the dress flared out above the ankles into a mermaid shape for a full siren look. As a finishing touch, she opted for golden jewelry and a leather keyhole clutch, before slipping into her trompe-l’oeil toe-mules to complete her (literal) head-to-toe Schiaparelli look.
The Givenchy Fall-Winter 23/24 collection saw structured tailoring juxtaposed alongside fluid draping, offering attendees a clean, tough-chic runway. Silhouettes ranged from structured coats to flowing, colorful dresses, adding a touch of warmth and drama to the cold-weather ensembles. Wearing a gray monogrammed dress for the occasion, paired with minimal jewelry, an ivory-colored suede jacket, and celebrity-coveted Shark Lock boots in silver, Nakamura perfectly embraced the codes of the French fashion house.Despite relentless criticism and unfair scrutiny, Aya Nakamura has proven herself as a force to be reckoned with. In the face of critics constantly questioning her place in the spotlight, her fashion choices have become a form of self-expression. Her red carpet appearances and collaborations with fashion houses showcase not only her style, but her determination to thrive in an industry that often tries to marginalize her. Each of these outfits therefore tells a story of strength and resilience. As she continues to break barriers, her fashion choices serve as a reminder that true greatness cannot be limited by narrow standards or prejudiced opinions.
