Asma Al Assad: Syria's First Lady And All-Natural Beauty (SLIDESHOW)

A couple weeks ago headlines were made when Syrian First Lady, Asma Al Assad invited the Obamas to Damascus. HuffPost readers ended up commenting more on Asma's beauty and less on what an Obama/Assad meeting would mean for the Middle East. And we couldn't help but notice the Syrian beauty either. In a region where the women love to cake on their make-up, it is very refreshing to see the wife of President Bashar al-Assad with very little on. (See the post "Less Is The New More: The Case For Taking Off Your Make-Up.")

We also noticed her love for Christian Louboutin platforms, sunglasses, and her signature wavy hair. From her natural look to her classic style, we picked some of our favorite Asma looks below.

Admiring the Louvre Museum with her chain necklace and sunglasses on July 13, 2008

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Comments

[ladydragon]

01:51 PM on 07/21/2009

she really is a beautiful woman and accomplished too. Must be nice to dress that pretty while the women in your country suffer and are treated like animals

[Aussieposter]

03:20 AM on 07/29/2009

Syria is a secular Arab nation, governed by the Ba’ath socialist party. It is quite different from the fundamentalists of Saudi Arabia. Women got the vote in 1949. Considering that it took nearly 150 years for women in the U.S. to get the vote Syria did it in fewer than 30.

Syria has also signed off and implemented the relevant conventions in regards to equality in economic social and cultural rights

Now I am not so naive as to think that signing off on U.N. conventions actually changes much, however there is no enforced dress code and you can buy a drink there.

[Jyoti Naik]

10:09 AM on 07/21/2009

It is nice to see a classy lady like Asma and read about her accomplishments. I would be even more impressed if she used her intelligence to campaign against the atrocities in Syria. But if she did that she would probably no longer be married to an islamic dictator and would lose her lavish lifestyle. Decisions decissions!

[ElsaIndy]

09:24 AM on 07/21/2009

Asma al Assad is a beautiful and polished woman with many accomplishments which it makes all the more puzzling that she would want to have married her husband and rule over a country where it is still considered ok to kill for honor. I find it surprising that such a western woman would choice such a life. Perhapes she thinks she can influence her husband to end this practice. This is from The Economist on the practice of honor killing of women by famllies in Syria:
http://www.economist.com/world/mideast-africa/displaystory.cfm?story_id=14045284

[masha2008]

04:25 PM on 07/20/2009

wow. classy and elegant. nice lines and statement jewelry.

i think bruni has a rival in her. letizia of spain is in the same level as these two.

the first ladies of mexico and spain are stylish, too. but the above 3 have the bodies that show best the clothes they wear.

more pics please.

[zpolyglot]

03:15 PM on 07/20/2009

I’m a writer for an online magazine called Dia Diwan & recently wrote a two part series on Asma Al Assad exploring how she’s refashioning Syria’s global image.

http://www.diadiwan.com/blogs/culture/reformer-asma-assad-part-i

http://www.diadiwan.com/blogs/culture/asma-assad-part-ii

People assume women in the Middle East “cake” on the make up and prefer things bright and flashy. But keep in mind there are a diversity of tastes everywhere, similar to Texas or L.A.

Part of those misconceptions stem from the fact that we aren’t exposed to contemporary Middle Eastern culture. Although it’s been depicted as a pariah state, Syria is an incredibly sophisticated nation from the standpoint of history, education and culture. Walk through the city of Damascus and you’ll see stunning examples of the past rubbing shoulders with the 21st century in unexpected ways.

In the heart of Damascus’s old souk is the Villa Moda fashion emporium, housed in a former 17th Century Caravan-Sarai. In this setting, patrons can browse through the latest from Prada, Saint Laurent and Lanvin, amongst furniture by Marc Newson, Marcel Wanders, and Frank Gehry.

There are also stunning boutique hotels housed in former mansions and palaces dating all the way back to the 13th century, but incorporating the latest technologies. The most sought after reservation is at the Al Mamlouka:

http://www.diadiwan.com/features/handbag/maya-mamarbachi

Knowing all of this it’s not a stretch to picture the Obama’s visiting Syria.

[rain39]

08:14 PM on 07/19/2009

I am abysmally ignorant about her activities or views but she is a handsome woman who dresses beautifully in expensive fashion and would fit into any upper class neighborhood in the USA or any affluent country.

Depending on Syria's international goals these days and their interest in being a moderate rather than radical Muslim country, she could go a long way in helping her husband create and maintain that aspiration visually.

With Obama's interest in dialogue, not automatically scapegoating every Muslim country because of their radical population, this could go a long way into forming respectful friendships of countries who have been previously been counted in the "axis of evil".

[marleysghost]

06:31 PM on 07/19/2009

A very strong case for a secular Islamic society. Draping women in tents is to hide behind a curtain of fear that men will lose their place next to a beautiful and talented woman. This is a breath of fresh air from the Middle East and one the fundamentalists would suffocate if given the upper hand. Syria should be on the world stage. We need to cultivate our relationships to encourage openness like this, rather than bring others to heel militarily.

[LemonGrass2]

03:00 PM on 07/19/2009

Mos Def one of the best dressed 1st ladies in the world. Great face and body to boot. Casual elegance all the way around. I'm truly curious who her stylist is. Anyone know?

[Oxonian2001]

08:01 PM on 07/19/2009

I don't think you need a stylist for this look.

Note that she sticks mostly to neutral colors: beige, gray, black, etc. You can never go wrong with them--but you do have to make sure the hues and textures go together.

The cut of her clothes (especially dresses) is also rather simple yet have interesting details.

But what makes her outfits pop are the accessories--especially the bold necklaces and the tasteful "status" bags and shoes.

[DrJohnnySkeptic]

11:14 PM on 07/18/2009

I sent this to my mother yesterday - she's really into necklaces too.

[troika]

10:24 PM on 07/18/2009

She seems to be a very down to earth person inspite of all her achievements. Wish we could see some more of the same in other Arab countries. She is LOVELY indeed.

[TanzaniteDiamonds]

07:49 PM on 07/18/2009

Speaking of "Style", I do agree with so many of you who admire her fashion sense, but check out the necklace she's wearing, on page 7? That's a lot of "necklace", isn't it? It looks good from the distant shot (really compliments to the outfit), but up close, I don't know?

[SgtLucifer]

04:49 PM on 07/18/2009

I just love slender women. They are great under the sheets.

Let's hope Asma will bear el-Presidente Assad a son very soon who will succeed his father 40 years from now after the old man dies in power. There's nothing like continuing the autocratic lineage. The Assad family has now passed power from one generation to another while keeping Syrians destitute and powerless. Our online tabloid will of course focus on Mrs. Assad's fine clothings and sense of fashion.

[nilotic]

10:49 PM on 07/18/2009

They alreay have two boys and a girl I believe.

[nilotic]

10:51 PM on 07/18/2009

I agree with your comments about that continued Syrian dictatorship. While Asma may look like a sweet person, she knew what she was marrying.....

[Asmaa]

03:43 PM on 07/18/2009

what's in my post that annoys you? why didn't you post it?

[Feanor]

03:10 PM on 07/18/2009

Lovely and tasteful.

[troika]

10:33 PM on 07/18/2009

Psst!! If Palin sees this page she will be losing sleep and the next morning would call her spokeswoman, Meg Stapleton to arrange for a photo shoot out and then call for one of her secretaries to get the photos posted on the HP website. Just curious!!

[LemonMeringue]

01:19 PM on 07/18/2009

She is stunningly lovely.

I hope she starts a fashion trend, for less makeup.

[verycold]

06:00 PM on 07/18/2009

I could not agree more. Elegant but with that girl next door look as well. Refreshing.