(JPost) 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.
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.
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.
