From the half- body statue discovered a century ago, the image of her is constantly being reborn in contemporary culture - both legendary and familiar.
From archaeological discoveries to global symbols
A century ago, at the Neues Museum in the German capital Berlin, the world first admired the purple color of one of the eternal beauty symbols: Queen Nefertiti. The semi-cut stone statue, 3,300 years old, was discovered by German archaeologists in Amarna (Egypt) in12 and was publicly displayed in 1924. From Cairo to London, the public was amazed by the elegant beauty and confident demeanor of the mysterious queen.
The lines of the statue - high cheekles, clear jawline, "gold-flaping" neck and sharp black border eyes - have become the standard for beauty for more than a century. On the statue, Nefertiti wore a flat raincoat, decorated with a yellow and uraeus strip (sacred snake), wearing a dress with a collar with a characteristic blue, brown, and yellow pattern. She is said to be the wife of Pharaoh Akhenaten, who gave birth to 6 daughters, one of whom was married to tutankhamun. However, her life and origin are still a mystery. Scholars believe that, based on the region's descriptions and demographics, Nefertiti could be a woman of color, reflecting the ethnic diversity of Egypt in the 14th century BC.
The Nefertiti statue is perfect with a confident demeanor. That is what attracts her. Those eyes make people unable to leave, said Dr. Cheryl Finley, Professor of Art History at Spelman University (USA).
Right after being on display, Nefertiti quickly became the icon of the "fashion queen". Her name means "The beautiful person has come", appearing in cosmetic advertisements, beauty categories, and becoming an inspiration for famous designers from Paul Poiret to Lilly Dache. In 1961, Vogue published an article about the global Nefertiti fever, which was pushed higher after Donald Taylors role as Cleopatra in 1963, turning Egyptian style into a mainstream trend in fashion.
That influence lasted until the 21st century. British fashion designer John Galliano once brought Nefertiti's high carpet to the Dior Spring - Summer 2004 show; Christian Louboutin created a lipstick collection inspired by her; The luxury brand Azzedine Alaia honored her with a black scarf in the Fall - Winter 2017 collection, once worn by supermodel Naomi Campbell.
To this day, the image of Nefertiti is still flooded on TikTok, Instagram, T-shirts, perfumes, or cosmetic brands founded by colorful people such as Juvia's Place and Uoma Beauty. In the cosmetic surgery industry, there is also Nefertiti Lift - a method of creating jawline with botox, using her name as a symbol of delicate beauty.
Nefertiti - timeless beauty
Nefertiti's statue is also associated with historical controversy. After being brought to Germany in 1913, it was kept secret for more than a decade before being displayed at Neues in 1924. Since then, Egypt has continuously requested the repatriation of artifacts. Most recently, Egyptian scholar Zahi Hawass once again called for the statue to be returned to his homeland, saying that it was unreasonable to take it out of Egypt.
When the statue was released, Western women immediately chased after that "strange" beauty: cat's eyes, crown-like hair, collar imitating the Egyptian royal style. An article in the New York Times in 1933 even instructed on how to create lines along Nefertiti's face.
Why dont you want to be like her? - Dr. Elka Stevens - Howard University, Washington D.C, USA, said and emphasized: If the crown is taken off, this woman can integrate into any society.
According to Professor Charmaine Nelson of the University of Massachusetts Amherst, Nefertiti is more accepted by the West for her lines that match white skin aesthetic standards, but she also challenges prejudice about women of color and becomes a symbol of beauty, intelligence and power beyond all models. Her statue also shows: Nefertiti's covered hair once made people avoid facing the fact that African beauty was a core part of this statue.
Meanwhile, Nefertiti himself is a mirror reflecting the times. As Pharaoh Akhenaten's wife, she played an important role in the largest religious reformation in ancient Egypt, shifting from polygamy to worshiping the sun god Aten. Her fashion is associated with political power: Thuong often appears with her husband in elaborate costumes, showing her co-rule. But just 12 years after Akhenaten took the throne, she disappeared from all historical records, leaving behind a series of hypotheses - being exiled, sick, assassinated, or even renamed to continue reigning under a new identity.
In colorful culture, Nefertiti is a symbol of strength and pride. Rihanna tattooed Nefertiti on her chest and transformed into a lady on the cover of the 2017 Arabian edition of Vogue; Beyonce wore a crown simulating the queen in the music video "Sorry" and wore a queen dress at the Coachella stage in 2018. Famous artists Erykah Badu, Aretha Franklin and FKA Twigs were all inspired by her style. Even at Met Gala 2024, supermodel Imaan Hammam wore makeup in the mysterious cat eye style to honor the "queen of all queens".
According to Dr. Stevens, that image goes beyond fashion or trends: It changes the way we perceive ourselves, knowing that there is a common history of beauty and power.
Nefertiti is not only a symbol of ancient Egypt. She is the embodiment of confidence, intelligence and charm that transcends all limits. As Stevens concluded: "We will continue to talk about that beauty forever, because Nefertiti never leaves us but is still present in everyone - and that is what makes her immortal".
