Tali Marjieh: The secret sisterhood behind Elyanna’s world domination

If you’ve ever watched Palestinian-Chilean popstar Elyanna perform and thought, wow, she looks unreal, you’re not alone—and you have Tali Marjieh to thank. The 25 year old Palestinian-Chilean designer and stylist has been crafting the visual identity behind her pop-star sister’s rise, melding their heritage with street style into looks that demand a double take. We probably don’t need to describe it: all Arab-futurist silhouettes, gilded coins between sinuous braids, henna-stained hands, shells, lace—it’s seared into our minds in all its siren-like glory, too. 

But Tali isn’t just the stylist behind her sister’s magnetic stage presence; she’s a designer, an artist, and the founder of her newly launched brand, MARTAL. With a keen sense of culture and an uncompromising eye for all things bewitching, Tali is building a realm where Palestinian artistry thrives without apology. “Growing up in Palestine inspired me to do what I do,” the creative force tells Dazed MENA. Marjieh explains the wealth of emblems in Palestinian culture and tradition—tatreez, coins, henna—iconic staples that are hardly ever seen in mainstream pop culture spheres. 

Her work spawned from the classic creative conundrum: looking for something that did not exist. She’s since spun this void into visions, and now inventions, pieces that her sister now adorns at her sold-out shows on tour. “My journey began with designing stage looks for Elyanna, using all the elements inspired by Palestine,” Marjieh shares. “This journey has now led to the opening of my own line, MARTAL, with designs and outfits that I have always wanted to wear but could never find.”

MARTAL is a label that breathes life into Tali’s memories: Arabic calligraphy etched into leather, gold tones of heirlooms immortalised into shimmering sets, captivating and bold and cool. “I was born and raised in Palestine, and I moved to the United States six years ago,” Marjieh tells us. “My work, designs, and inspiration will always be engaged with my culture without even trying because that’s where it originated from…. MARTAL’s sets contain a certain shade of gold that is nostalgic Arabic gold I used to always see in the old market and on the older women or brides in Palestine.”

Of course, Tali’s defining moments as a designer are tied closely to her sister. Dressing Elyanna for her Late Night Show with Stephen Colbert debut was a career-high, marked by cultural pride and a nostalgic lilt. Crowned with a keffiyeh, swaddled in Arabic textiles and dripping in coins, the look was distinctly Marjieh. “The design was personal to me,” she conveys to Dazed. “This is because it incorporated Arabic fabrics that always remind my sister and I of back home…It was extremely important for me to show Elyanna and all the layers she represents all in one look during her TV debut.”

Raised in a household gushing with unrestrained creative energy—her brother Feras a musician and songwriter for Elyanna—it’s no wonder Tali and her siblings seem to share an innate gift for artistry. The three seemed to nourish one another’s talents, cultivating a context where each could flourish in their own distinctive medium. “I usually chill in the studio with my brother Feras and my sister Elyanna while they create music,” Marjieh notes. “The productive and creative energy would always fuel my passion and I’d grab my sketchbook and just start sketching designs.”

Authenticity is also a priority for the artist—a quality she fervently exhibits with every piece. Though she strives for perfection with her output, the young designer embraces the haphazard, breakneck pace of her process.  “Each time I design a new look, I aspire to make it a favourite,” Marjieh affirms. “I want people to notice my work and value the meaning behind it. My practice, in my eyes, is a perfect chaos, and this is what gives me inspiration.”

The world is beginning to take notice of Marjieh. With Elyanna set to open for Coldplay in January, Tali is designing the pop star and stage crew’s looks—a challenge she’s tackling with her usual mix of passion and precision. MARTAL, too, is gaining traction, and Tali is committed to keeping the momentum going. “I’d like to see more and more MARTAL,” she envisions aloud. “The brand received so much love and I always want to excite the people with new designs they appreciate.” As the world watches Elyanna, starry-eyed by her unforgettable presence, they’re inevitably catching a glimpse of Tali Marjieh’s brilliance behind the scenes.