Italian Icons: Monica Bellucci
The Italian women who inspired my sense of style
Torn between two of my most beloved… ‘Monica Bellucci or Sophia Loren?’ I called out to my boyfriend as he brewed our moka over the stovetop. After a momentary pensive pause, ‘Bellucci,’ he dutifully bellowed back to me. And thus, the fate of this article was decided.
Sorry, my boyfriend insisted on writing the opening of today’s read for you all. Maybe he should start his own Substack this year…
Having said so, I am thrilled to get back to the Italian Icons series, where we will uncover the Italian divas who have inspired not only my sense of style but also shaped the very foundations of what I mean by elegance and charm.
For our first spotlight, we learnt more about the iconic Monica Vitti through her life and fashion journey. Today, I wanted to celebrate another Monica – the legendary Monica Bellucci.
Who is Monica Bellucci?
Monica Bellucci was born on 30 September 1964, in Città di Castello, Italy. She is an actress and model who reached peak popularity in the Bel Paese in the 90s. Bellucci began her career as a model to support her law studies but was soon drawn to the entertainment industry.
You can’t say Monica without mentioning Dolce & Gabbana, as it was the first Italian fashion house to recognise her potential. She then worked with major brands like Cartier, which brought her global recognition. Over the years, she transitioned into acting, quickly becoming one of the most recognisable Italian beauties worldwide.
When I was a teenager, I used to cut Monica’s pictures from magazines and stick them to my notebook, writing things like, ‘When my breasts grow, I’ll buy this leopard dress.’ Needless to say, this was long before I found my personal style, in which bodycon dresses don't have much space. And while a part of me still dreams of that leopard dress, I cannot deny that Monica really was the one actress I so desperately wanted to emulate. To me, she embodied the mysterious and classy femme fatale – elegant and always straight to the point. I’ve always been enchanted by how the media portrayed her as an unattainable, powerful woman no one really knew much about.
Monica’s Career
Monica Bellucci’s acting career began in the early 1990s with her role in L’Appartement (1996), a quintessentially 90s mystery romance in which she met her future husband, Vincent Cassel. She arrived on the international big screens through films such as Malèna (2000), portraying a young widow in World War II Sicily, and Irreversible (2002), where she delivered what I consider her best performance. Her work in Hollywood includes major roles in The Matrix Reloaded (2003) and The Passion of the Christ (2004).
Monica is one of the few Italian actresses to gain global recognition, a fact that hasn’t always sat well with some figures in Italian cinema. She has often been criticised for her acting skills, with critics dismissing her as just a pretty face with no talent.
Even though beauty won’t ever save you from judgement, I can’t help but think this is another clear example of what it means to be a woman. Are you even allowed to be just beautiful? Is anyone ever be okay with you being beautiful and talented?
To me, Monica is iconic because she wisely made the most of her innate magnetism and sensuality to build her career. You may like her as an actress or not, but she is an undeniable icon. She fought to be recognised as a talented and profound individual, not merely a sex symbol. And she didn’t care about the critics; she just kept being Monica – the femme fatale.
Monica Bellucci’s Best Fashion Moments
Monica’s fashion choices reflect her personality: confident, sultry, and deeply rooted in Italian heritage. She frequently gravitates towards fitted silhouettes and bold jewellery with that Italian je ne sais quoi I adore and I try to embrace in my style. Here are some of my favourite Monica fashion moments:
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