In an age where social media shapes global trends, Queen Nefertiti’s image is experiencing a resurgence. Influencers on TikTok and Instagram are recreating her looks through tutorial videos, bringing her timeless beauty to a new generation. Jewelry designers like Azza Fahmy and other artists are drawing on Nefertiti’s aesthetics in modern pieces, integrating ancient elegance into contemporary fashion.
Nefertiti’s legacy, rooted in ancient Egyptian culture, now permeates modern society in multiple ways, from TikTok lessons to luxury perfume lines.
Global stars have also embraced Nefertiti’s legacy. In 2016, Beyoncé imitated Nefertiti’s look in her music video “Sorry,” reinforcing the queen’s influence in modern popular culture and her impact on the consciousness of modern generations. Similarly, Rihanna embodied Queen Nefertiti in a photoshoot for the cover of Vogue Arabia in 2017, carrying a tattoo of Nefertiti on her chest.
The fashion industry has long been captivated by Nefertiti’s style. In Dior’s Spring 2004 show, designer John Galliano unveiled designs that included Nefertiti’s long headdresses, emphasizing timeless elegance. Designers like Galliano and Christian Louboutin have found inspiration in Nefertiti’s image, incorporating elements of her style into their haute couture collections. In 2015, Louboutin launched a lipstick collection inspired by Queen Nefertiti, featuring gold and black bottles adorned with crowns.
The genesis of the global fascination can be traced back to the discovery of the Nefertiti bust. Made 3,300 years ago from limestone, the bust was discovered in Amarna, Egypt, by German archaeologists in 1912 and remained hidden for 12 years. In 1924, with grand ceremonies, the bust was exhibited at the Neues Museum in Berlin, where it remains, provoking an ongoing dialogue about where it rightfully belongs. The Nefertiti bust, adorned with vibrant colors, caused an immediate sensation, shocking audiences from Cairo to Berlin and from Paris to New York.
Her striking features—sculpted jaw, high cheekbones, long neck, and kohl-rimmed eyes—have become a reference point in fashion and the arts for decades, creating wide resonance around the world. Surgeons use her name for the “Nefertiti Lift,” a non-surgical procedure that enhances the jawline using Botox, reflecting her enduring influence on beauty standards.
“The beauty of Nefertiti comes from her confidence and her distinctive gaze that makes her incredibly attractive. She is an icon in every sense of the word,” said Dr. Cheryl Finley, Professor of Art History at Spelman College, according to Youm7. “Remove the crown from her, and you’ll find her able to blend into any society with confidence and flexibility,” added Dr. Elka Stevens, Assistant Professor of Visual Culture at Howard University, according to Youm7.
Despite being one of the most famous figures in ancient history, much of Nefertiti’s life remains mysterious, including her sudden disappearance from historical records after 12 years of co-regency with her husband, Pharaoh Akhenaten. Her disappearance has led to endless theories about her fate—whether she was forced into exile, fell ill, or was murdered. This mystery only intensifies her allure, adding depth to her enduring appeal.
Nefertiti was more than a symbol of beauty; she was one of the most famous and powerful women in ancient Egypt, playing a key role in politics during her husband Pharaoh Akhenaten’s reign. Together, they led a religious revolution, abandoning polytheism in favor of the worship of the sun god Aten. Her name means “the beautiful one has come,” a fitting description as her beauty has captivated audiences for a century.
Over the years, Nefertiti’s image has influenced standards of beauty and art in an unparalleled way, inspiring designs and shaping people’s self-perceptions globally. In the 1920s, her face became synonymous with beauty, appearing in cosmetics advertisements and beauty columns. An article in The New York Times in 1933 encouraged women to recreate the angles of her features. Women began to model their appearance after Nefertiti, with eye makeup resembling her feline style, blouses mimicking the fashion of her era, and hairstyles raised high to emulate her crown.
“The Nefertiti bust transcends time… It allows people to draw strength from it,” explained Dr. Finley, according to CNN Arabic. “And why wouldn’t you want to look like her? Take off the crown, drop her in any society, and she could blend in,” said Dr. Stevens, according to
Naftemporiki. She added, “We will hear stories about her beauty until the end of time. She will go nowhere—she will live through each of us, and that is the most exciting thing.”
This article was originally published at www.jpost.com
