Prada Beauty has officially made its debut in Egypt, and to mark the milestone, the brand tapped none other than Nelly Karim to accompany its entry, stepping into the spotlight for the brand’s launch campaign of Paradoxe Eau de Parfum Intense—the fragrance leading the charge for the house’s arrival in North Africa. For the occasion, the Italian label rolled out a series of digital activations placing Karim at the center, embodying the bold, modern spirit that defines Prada Beauty.
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Since its global launch in 2021, Prada Beauty has been making waves as one of the most talked-about brands in the high-end beauty world. With its arrival in Egypt, the Milanese Maison brings its signature fusion of fashion, fragrance, and femininity to a new audience, inviting them to experience the Prada universe from the comfort of home.
As Prada Beauty continues its global rise, we’ve rounded up five things you need to know about its newest muse, Nelly Karim.
She’s a Sagittarius
Karim was born to a Soviet-Russian mother and an Egyptian father in Alexandria on Dec. 18, 1974, which makes her a Sagittarius. Sagittarians are usually known for being optimistic as they often have a love for freedom, new experiences, and learning, and are seen as open-minded, enthusiastic, and straightforward in how they express themselves.
She’s part-Russian
Karim’s mother is of Russian descent. It is said that she was from Leningrad, a city that is known today as Saint Petersburg. The actress spent most of her childhood in Russia before moving back to Egypt at the age of 16 following her father’s passing.
She was a ballerina before becoming an actress
A multi-award-winning actress, Karim first made a name for herself as a ballerina. She began training while living in Russia and even performed at the highly esteemed Odessa Opera House. After returning to Egypt, she continued her training at the Cairo Ballet Institute and joined the Cairo Opera Ballet Company, earning numerous accolades along the way. It was during her time at the Cairo Opera that she landed her first acting gig, on Fawazeer Ramadan, a popular Egyptian radio and television show featuring dance routines.
She’s also a model
Karim is a familiar face on magazine covers, having, over the years, graced the front pages of several prestigious publications such as ELLE, Femmes du Maroc, and Enigma. Comfortable in front of cameras, she is frequently sought after by leading brands to embody their vision, as seen with her work with Prada Beauty. In the past, she has fronted campaigns for an array of esteemed brands including Egyptian jeweler Azza Fahmy and Saudi luxury house L’Azurde. She’s also made her mark on runways, most notably closing the show for Saudi label Honayda at the latest edition of Riyadh Fashion Week.
She has four children
Karim married for the first time at 18, welcoming two children during that union. After their divorce, she had two more children in her second marriage. Following another split, she married for a third time before separating once again in 2024.
