When Cecil B. DeMille released The Ten Commandments in 1956, it wasn’t just a monumental biblical epic—it was a lavish display of cinematic grandeur, spectacle, and visual opulence. Among the film’s many iconic elements, one of the most memorable is Anne Baxter’s portrayal of the sultry, complex Queen Nefretiri. While her performance was steeped in drama and seduction, it was her wardrobe—particularly the sheer, form-fitting costumes—that captured audiences and helped define the era’s bold visual aesthetic.
A Queen Draped in Desire and Power
Anne Baxter’s Nefretiri is not merely a supporting character in Moses’ epic saga—she is a force of nature. As the adopted daughter of Pharaoh Seti I and the woman who loves Moses, her beauty, ambition, and manipulation are central to her character. Costume designer Arnold Friberg, in collaboration with DeMille, designed her outfits to reflect this duality: regal and alluring, sacred yet sensuous.
The sheer garments she wore were daring for the time—particularly for a major Hollywood production set in ancient Egypt and rooted in biblical themes. They draped her form in metallic threads, translucent veils, and jewel-toned silks, giving her a goddess-like allure. The costumes were carefully constructed to suggest nudity while adhering to the conservative standards of 1950s cinema, creating a powerful tension between modesty and temptation.
Fashion as a Form of Cinematic Expression
Nefretiri’s costumes weren’t just about sex appeal—they were a narrative device. Each outfit reflected her emotional state, social standing, and shifting alliances. When she seeks to seduce Moses, she appears in soft, flowing sheers and golden accents, exuding vulnerability and passion. In contrast, when she becomes more vindictive and manipulative, her wardrobe shifts to darker hues and sharper silhouettes, often still sheer but more structured, reflecting her descent into jealousy and desperation.
This approach to costuming helped elevate The Ten Commandments from religious epic to fashion fantasy. Anne Baxter’s wardrobe has since inspired generations of designers, stylists, and filmmakers who look to classic Hollywood for references on how to blend historical drama with high fashion.
Breaking Barriers in Hollywood Glamour
Anne Baxter’s portrayal of Nefretiri—and her sheer costumes—also challenged the norms of 1950s Hollywood. While still constrained by the Hays Code, which restricted onscreen displays of sexuality, the film managed to push the envelope through implication, artistry, and craftsmanship. Baxter’s Nefretiri emerged as an archetype: the exotic, seductive queen whose beauty was both her power and her curse.
Her costumes were custom-fitted to highlight her figure and featured ornate Egyptian-inspired embellishments: collars encrusted with faux gems, metallic sashes, sheer capes, and headpieces that emphasized her regal bearing. This mix of historical fantasy and Hollywood glamor created a timeless visual that still resonates today.
Legacy and Cultural Impact
Anne Baxter’s sheer outfits as Nefretiri remain one of the most iconic elements of The Ten Commandments. They helped establish a visual vocabulary for ancient Egypt that persists in popular culture—from runway shows to music videos to contemporary films.
Beyond the aesthetics, Baxter’s Nefretiri represents a fascinating blend of character complexity and visual spectacle. Her wardrobe tells a story all its own—a story of power, desire, love, and loss—wrapped in sheer fabric and golden thread.
As audiences revisit The Ten Commandments, it’s clear that Anne Baxter’s Nefretiri is more than just a character. She is an enduring symbol of cinematic fashion at its most daring and divine.
Anne Baxter’s portrayal of Nefretiri in Cecil B. DeMille’s The Ten Commandments (1956) stands as one of classic Hollywood’s most iconic examples of cinematic fashion. Her costumes were not only visually stunning but also played a crucial role in defining her character—royal, seductive, powerful, and emotionally complex. Here’s a look at how her wardrobe made a lasting cinematic fashion statement:
Costume Design by Edith Head & Arnold Friberg
Edith Head, one of Hollywood’s most legendary costume designers, collaborated with illustrator Arnold Friberg to craft Nefretiri’s unforgettable wardrobe. These costumes fused historical imagination with 1950s glamour.
Key Fashion Statements from Anne Baxter as Nefretiri:
1. Royal Opulence – The Golden Gown
-
Look: One of Nefretiri’s most dazzling outfits was a gold lamé gown, heavily embellished with metallic embroidery and paired with elaborate accessories.
-
Fashion Impact: This costume conveyed her status as an Egyptian princess and a woman of immense power and allure. The gold reflected both her divine beauty and the riches of Pharaoh’s court.
-
Signature Detail: Plunging neckline and cinched waist—typical 1950s glamour fused with ancient Egyptian silhouettes.
2. Jeweled Headdresses & Crowns
-
Nefretiri’s elaborate headdresses were iconic: encrusted with jewels and shaped with symbolic motifs like cobras, suns, and wings.
-
They referenced Egyptian royal iconography but were stylized for Hollywood glam.
-
Fashion Statement: These accessories emphasized her authority, sensuality, and her role as a divine consort.
The Sheer, Seductive Ensembles
-
In scenes where Nefretiri attempts to seduce Moses, she wears flowing chiffon gowns in deep reds and purples.
-
These transparent layers draped over her frame suggested vulnerability and seduction simultaneously.
-
Design Feature: Strategically placed beading and metallic accents added allure without compromising modesty on screen.
The Blue Cloak of Mourning
-
A striking contrast from her usual golds and reds, the blue cloak Nefretiri wears in more dramatic, emotional scenes symbolizes her inner turmoil and descent.
-
The change in color palette marked a narrative shift—trading seduction for sorrow, jealousy, and desperation.
Cultural Fusion & Symbolism
The costumes are not archaeologically accurate but instead reflect:
-
1950s Hollywood’s interpretation of ancient glamour
-
A mix of Biblical fantasy, Art Deco, and Orientalist styles
-
Emphasis on hourglass figures, ornate textures, and exaggerated elegance
Hair & Makeup
-
Baxter’s makeup included bold eyeliner mimicking Egyptian styles, ruby-red lips, and flawless skin.
-
Wigs and coiffed black hair added to the mystique and Egyptian stylization.
Cinematic Legacy
-
Anne Baxter’s Nefretiri inspired generations of costume designers, especially in fantasy and historical epics.
-
Her outfits are frequently referenced in film and fashion retrospectives.
-
Even today, her costumes are recreated for cosplay, fashion editorials, and design school studies.
Conclusion:
Anne Baxter’s outfits as Nefretiri in The Ten Commandments are a masterclass in storytelling through fashion. Her costumes balanced exotic fantasy with 1950s elegance, making them a timeless example of how wardrobe enhances character development and visual narrative. Nefretiri wasn’t just a character—she was a fashion spectacle immortalized on celluloid.
