Wednesday December 11th, 2024
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Styled Archives: Nelly, The ‘Butterfly’ of Egyptian Cinema

Whether the ‘queen of fawazeer’, or the ‘butterfly of Egyptian cinema’, Nelly has captured hearts with her charm, charisma, and fashion.

Mai El Mokadem

Styled Archives: Nelly, The ‘Butterfly’ of Egyptian Cinema

With Armenian roots from Aleppo, Syria, Nelly, born in 1949 in Cairo, has been captivating audiences since childhood with her natural talents in singing, dancing, and acting. Best known for her iconic ‘fawazeer,’ which she starred in nearly every year from 1975 to 1996, Nelly is rightfully hailed as the ‘Queen of Fawazeer.’

From her early days on screen, she radiated a joyous spirit, making her a beloved figure across the Arab world. Nelly’s performances in iconic plays, shows, and movies ‘Al Eeteraf Al Akhir’, ‘Emra’at Zawgyi’, ‘Al Ghoul’, ‘Nessaa Al Layl’ and ‘Sabah el Kheir Zawgaty Al Aziza’,  solidified her place in Arab pop culture. Her ability to make people smile, combined with her genuine warmth and sense of fun, cemented her status as a cherished icon.

Nelly’s carefree spirit and infectious charisma are evident not only in her performances but also in her fashion. She has a gift for mixing bold colours, playful patterns, and whimsical accessories, embodying joy and creativity in every outfit. Her style mirrors her lively personality, inspiring generations with its effervescent charm.

Theme Song of Fawazeer ‘Noora El Khatba’ | 1981

We had to start with Nelly’s iconic fawazeer. In this 1981 scene from Noora El Khatba, she delivers a double dose of fun, dressed in an ivory top and harem pants with cascading sequined frills, layered with pearl necklaces, followed by a black ensemble featuring a giant gold-embellished bow as a headpiece.

Captured by Egyptian Photographer Farouk Ibrahim | Circa 1960s

Nelly’s playful spirit is perfectly captured in this photograph by the legendary Egyptian photographer, Farouk Ibrahim. In the image, she leaps into the air, arms wide and a huge grin on her face, wearing a short, billowy dress paired with white pumps.

Celebrating Her Birthday on the Set of ‘Teachers & Private Lessons’ | 2003

Nelly is seen blowing out birthday candles while surrounded by the cast of  ‘Teachers & Private Lessons’. For the celebration, she dons a cream dress adorned with crystals and matching hair accessories, showcasing her love for bows.

In Lebanon | 1973

This candid photo shows a more relaxed Nelly, leaning against a tree in a multicoloured striped tank top during a trip to Lebanon.

At the Taping of TV Program ‘Ya Oumri’ in Beirut | 2002

With her signature blonde blowout and glittering gold accents, Nelly stuns in an architectural gown and bold black kohl during the taping of ‘Ya Oumri’ in Beirut.

With Nadia El Gindi at Dubai International Film Festival | 2004

Alongside fellow actress Nadia El Gendi, Nelly prepares for the Dubai International Film Festival, looking radiant in a pink sequined outfit with her trademark bouncy blonde bangs.

Cover of El Maw3ed Magazine | 1983

On the cover of ‘El Maw3ed’, Nelly sports her favourite hair accessory: a bow. With her hair styled in pigtail braids, she keeps her outfit simple, letting her hairstyle take centre stage.

Still from El Azab Emra’a with Mahmoud Yassin | 1977

In one of her most celebrated performances, Nelly shares a sweet moment with Mahmoud Yassin, dressed in a silky chestnut-brown blouse and high-waisted white trousers.

Performance in Noora | 1967

A glimpse into her earlier career, this scene from Noora shows Nelly at the height of her powers, dazzling in multiple outfit changes—from a ruffled skirt cinched with a floral belt to a mini dress with an embellished bodice and tulle skirt—proving her versatility on screen.

In Her Home | Circa 1970s

Nelly's flair for fashion extends even to her downtime. In this photo, she relaxes at home in a strapless teal dress paired with a contrasting fuchsia fur scarf, showing that her sense of style is never off-duty.