Secret shopper? Janet Jackson goes on ‘abaya spree’ in Dubai

Could the “abaya appeal” soon be sweeping Hollywood? Latest indicators show the trend is taking a celebrity turn.

This week, Janet Jackson was spotted abaya-shopping in Dubai, reported Gulf News.

Jackson, who married Qatari business tycoon Wissam al-Mana last year, was seen walking into an abaya boutique in an upscale shopping area in the emirate.

Shop ‘til you drop

An excited fan told Gulf News that Jackson had been seen shopping for the traditional Islamic dress, worn in many designs and colors across the Middle East.

janet jackson abaya http://reviewit.pk

“My colleague told me Janet Jackson was in the shop downstairs. I immediately ran to my boss to ask for permission to go down but she told me I was crazy and that Janet Jackson would never come shopping here. Then another colleague came in to say they’d just seen her. So I rushed down,” said the source.

A person who was present at the store confirmed to Gulf News’ “tabloid!” magazine that the visitor was indeed Jackson.

“She stayed for about half an hour. She didn’t take anything with her but I think she made some orders,” said Pylene, a shopping assistant.

Earlier this year, Jackson was spotted wearing an abaya in Qatar, amid rumors she had converted to Islam.

No stranger to the Gulf, Jackson performed in Abu Dhabi in 2011. In February this year, Jackson’s representative confirmed that she and Mana, had secretly got married in 2012.

Jackson’s brother, the late Michael Jackson performed in Abu Dhabi and Jermaine Jackson, another member of the famous group “Jackson 5” converted to Islam after visiting the Emirates in the 1980s.

The Jacksons performed in Dubai last year as part of their world tour.