A compilation of the most stylish, and beautiful, Italian female film stars of their generation, selected for their timeless appeal and career longevity.
Synonymous with grace, beauty and talent, Sophia Loren(pictured) is Italy's most famous screen siren. The first actress to win an Oscar for a foreign-language performance in 'Two Women', her star power saw her cast alongside luminaries such as Cary Grant, Frank Sinatra, Marlon Brando, Gregory Peck, Jack Lemmon, and Paul Newman. At 82-years, Loren shows no sign of slowing down maintaining that, “beauty is how you feel inside, and it reflects in your eyes. It is not something physical.“
Daughter of Italian director Roberto Rossellini and Swedish actress Ingrid Bergman, Isabella Rossellini catapulted to fame in 'Blue Velvet', 'Cousins', and 'Immortal Beloved'. Her much copied pixie cropped hairstyle, gamine shirts, neck-scarves and stripes guaranteed her status as a style ingenue and a 14 year stint as poster girl for Lancome, saw her become one of the most recognised Italian actresses of all time. Testament to her beauty and enduring appeal the French cosmetic house have recently announced her return. At 63-years, her passion largely resides with conservation efforts and she is a National Ambassador for UNICEF. As Rossellini said herself, “I am much more radical than my products represent me to be".
Former model Monica Bellucci first came to attention when she was nominated for a César Award for
Best Supporting Actress in the 1996 French thriller, 'The Apartment'. At
51-years, Bellucci recently created headlines for being cast as the ‘the oldest
Bond girl ever' in the 2015 film 'Spectre', but says her advice on career
longevity is simple: “eat well, drink well, have good sex - and laugh a lot. The rest
comes all on its own.'
Regarded as the most beautiful woman in the
world during the peak of her career, Gina Lollobrigida was a prominent actress and
iconic sex symbol of the 1950s and 1960s. Her role in 'Come September' (1961)
starring Rock Hudson, won her a Golden Globe however her best known films
include 'Bread, Love and Dreams' (Pane, amore e fantasia, 1953), 'The Wayward Wife'
(1953) and 'Woman of Rome' (1954). Acclaimed director Howard Hughes and Prince Rainier of Monaco
were both suitors and unsuccessfully pursued the Italian screen legend for
years.
Image: Paul A. Hesse Studios (eBay) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
