Cover to Cover with Brooks Nader
Lebanese fashion model and Baton Rouge native, Brooks Nader, is no stranger to being on the cover of a magazine, but there is so much more to know about this bayou beauty than meets the eye.
Photographer: Manny Roman | Model: Brooks Nader | Makeup: Keita Moore | Hair: Adam Maclay | Stylist: Danielle Temperley | Associate Stylist: Vera Gorlacheva | Shot on site at The CENTRALE New York City | Jumpsuit: Nana Jacqueline
Given Nader’s heavy hitting curriculum vitae, it would be reasonable to believe that she has been a part of the modeling industry for decades. But the 24-year-old brunette moved from Baton Rouge to bustling New York City to pursue her modeling career only four short years ago. “The fashion industry certainly wasn’t always in the cards for me,” begins the model. “I initially intended to work in finance and went to Tulane University.” However, fate would have wildly different plans for this bubbly cover girl. After completing her Freshman year at Tulane, Nader was interning in New York City when she was approached by a modeling scout. In a New York minute, her life changed.
Despite her stunning smile, captivating doe brown eyes and radiant glow, entering into the modeling industry was not an easy journey for Nader. She left a full-ride scholarship to Tulane to pursue her dreams of working for some of the biggest name brands in the world. Once in New York, Nader personified the word “grit” and proceeded to overcome obstacle after obstacle. “I remember my first test shoot,” recalls Nader. “The photographer that I was working with told me that he would be surprised if any of the agencies I was meeting with would take me and he’d be even more surprised if I did anything other than that test shoot!” Although it was later in her career when she received the freeing advice from 80s and 90s supermodel icon, Cindy Crawford, “to be professional and kind in every situation”, Nader already embodied those characteristics and refused to let his words deter her. Turning that hurt into motivation, Nader now flashes a cheeky grin whenever she spots that the same photographer’s “like” on her photos for Sport Illustrated Swimsuit and Pat McGrath on Instagram. The model’s tenacity and ambition has served her well as her notable repertoire includes campaigns for some of the world’s most recognizable brands like Cover Girl and Donna Karen New York.
“you can be whoever and whatever you want to be in the world and I hope I can inspire the younger generation of girls to do so.”
— Brooks Nader
Suit Set: Bronx and Banco | Jewelry: Aureum
Although modeling was not a path originally sought after, Nader believes that the destination is more than fitting. Her fast-paced career constantly keeps her on her toes and running from one project to the next. Taking each day as it comes, the model is always ready for the next project or moment where inspiration flashes. Beyond landing major campaigns, this bayou bombshell turned New York supermodel loves to spend her time traveling across the world. Being an internationally recognized model helps to fuel her jet setting lifestyle, landing her all over Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. Nader’s favorite destination thus far is the pristine paradise of Bali. “The locals were so kind and the traditions they have are so meaningful,” heartens the world class public figure. “There were restrictions on things there that we could do in America due to their religious beliefs, which I thought was very sacred and beautiful.” While the idyllic beaches of Bali have Nader’s heart, it is the concrete jungle of New York that has her soul.
Feeling a kinship to New Yorkers, it is their resilience that draws her connection. The city helped to teach her how to persevere. A particularly memorable moment in experience in New York was the COVID-19 pandemic. She loved hearing the daily cheers for the healthcare workers. “New Yorkers of every race and religion were cheering for our health care heroes out of their windows,” beams the model. “New Yorkers really banned together during that tough time and I think that is something truly unique to New York.” Camaraderie aside, it is also the inspiration that the city breathes into her that further fuels her love for her latest home. From the fashion to personas to food, Nader never tires of the city and for that she is forever grateful.
While her online community and fellow industry friends may be used to Nader’s glitz and glam, her hometown friends and family are used to the cowboy boot, ATV riding girl they have watched grow up. Nader’s relatively relatable approach to her personal style and beauty routine are evidence that the renowned swimsuit model is also still the girl next door. Never leaving home without her Aquaphor and a chic pair of shades, it is about genuine authenticity when it comes to her style, accentuating the features we have come to love. “Aquaphor is so simple, but I use it on my lashes, lips, eyebrows, and even as highlighter,” shares Nader. “I also love sunglasses and think they immediately given you the ‘cool’ factor — even when in your sweats.” When the streets of SoHo are not providing the spark for her daily look, she turns to Instagram and Pinterest to help guide her fashion tastes. However, her go-to ensemble would work just as well on 5th Avenue in New York as it would on Canal Street in New Orleans. Nader’s simple “model off duty” look consists of jeans, heels, and a tee-shirt paired with hydrated skin, a swipe of mascara and a slight tint on the lip.
Natural as Nader can be in her casual wear, she is just as comfortable in full glam. One of her favorite pieces to wear was her sheer dress ensemble debuted at the Sports Illustrated Sportsperson of the Year Awards in 2019. Nader is unapologetic for donning the show stopping, fully sheer, asymmetrical, mini dress adorned with rhinestone beading. “I got so much backlash for that and people wanted me to retract that look or to apologize, but I felt amazing,” shares Nader. It is that ownership to her authentic self, that deems her so much admiration in her inner circle as well as her online community. “The message to my audience is to always be yourself, take chances, and lift others up,” heartens the model. “I know from experience that in a world of Instagram, filters and photoshop, it is easy to compare yourself to others and it can be totally consuming. I try and set an example to my audience and younger generation that you can be whoever and whatever you want to be in the world and I hope I can inspire the younger generation of girls to do so.”
View from The CENTRALE New York City
Up next for the model is to continue pursuing her goals and empowering the next generation though her formidable presence in the industry. A secret she has kept well under wraps, until now, is she is slated for her third year for Sports Illustrated Swimsuit, “which is going to be major!” On top of that Nader has many exciting projects and partnerships in the pipeline. It will be exciting, to say the least, to see what this bayou bombshell will do next.
“The message to my audience is to always be yourself, take chances, and lift others up.”
Dress: Bronx and Banco | Jewelry: Aureum