It’s been a busy few weeks for Reem Acra. The designer, known for her elegant evening and bridal gowns as well as her ready-to-wear, recently tied the knot. She is also starring as the judge of the Arabic version of “Fashion Star,” the reality television show that made its debut on the Dubai One network on Feb.3.

But first things first. Late last year, Acra designer married Dr. Nicolas Tabbal, who, like her, hails from Lebanon but is based in New York. “I never thought married life would be so nice,” said Acra. “Otherwise I would have done it before.”

It’s not the only thing the designer feels elated about these days. Acra also serves as the sole judge of “Fashion Star” for the Middle East. She is on the show along with two mentors: Tunisian model Hanaa Ben Abdesslem and Ramzi Tabiaat, creative director of the Al Oustoura boutique in Kuwait. Together, they accompany 12 aspiring designers from the region on their journey to become a household fashion name in the Arab world.

For Acra, who is also on the board of Dubai’s fashion council, this role is a meaningful in more ways than one.

Not just does it come at a time that she is opening a showroom in Dubai, which is bound to enhance her profile and business in the region. The Beirut native – who was just voted the Seventh Most Powerful Arab Woman by Forbes Middle East (alongside Amal Clooney, Zaha Hadid and Hala Gorani) —  also sees the larger purpose to use her own profile to help local talent.

“It’s the first of its kind,” she told CFDA.com. “The Middle East doesn’t have a fashion point of view yet. I thought it was important to start cultivating the talent there. The designers came from all around the region: Egypt, Jordan, Bahrain, the Emirates, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Tunisia, and Lebanon.”

Retail opportunities in the Middle East, she said, continue to be significant. “There is no talent coming out of there but there is a demand in every way,” she said. “The young generation wants to support talent from their own area.”

Plus, she added, “There is so much talent out there that is thirsty. I was lucky to have had that experience, to be a part of the American dream and I wanted to share that dream in a different way.”

She admitted that she played up her character for the show. Acra the judge is “a combination of this motherly figure who really wanted everyone to succeed, who got every bit out of everybody, who wanted to make sure they all look amazing on stage. I felt they all were my children. At same time, there was a certain level they had to reach, there was no joking. I needed to be tough, but in a very gentle way.”

It may seem like a paradox, but Acra is confident that she has succeeded in this first season. “I feel that the show and the production of the show helped designers evolve and make better use of their talent. It’s a wonderful step to the future.”