In Federico Fellini’s revered 1963 film 8½, a director grappling with creative block experiences visions of an “ideal woman”. She’s played by Claudia Cardinale, who lights up the screen as the frustrated protagonist’s muse; all tumbling raven locks, curve-skimming dresses and undeniable sex appeal. Sound familiar? It might be because another Italian actor, Monica Bellucci, remains a living embodiment of the Fellini-esque femme fatale to this day.
From her arthouse cinema days to her modern role as a regular on the Dior Couture frow (via a memorable stint as a Bond girl in 2015’s Spectre), Bellucci has remained steadfastly loyal to a wardrobe that wouldn’t look out of place on the set of La Dolce Vita: fishtail gowns with audacious necklines, diamonds, lace, and lots and lots of black. It’s not hard to see why – it all serves to enhance Bellucci’s sultry beauty and bombshell proportions.
On the rare occasions the Dolce & Gabbana model does veer from her signature colour, she opts for champagne, leopard-print, plum or top-to-toe red – with similarly traffic-stopping results. See below for 29 times Monica Bellucci looked as though she’d stepped out of a Fellini film.
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1985
Bellucci’s ravishing looks took her from the runway to the silver screen.
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1990
Reclining in an Hermès like a true off-duty siren.
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1990s
In her signature black on the arm of Valentino.
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1991
Celebrating a century of Cartier in black satin and, naturally, lashings of jewellery.
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1993
Modelling for Guy Laroche in Paris in 1993.
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1997
At a screening of Dobermann at the Paris Film Festival.
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1997
A rare floral moment from Monica at the 1997 Cannes Film Festival.
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1997
In all black in Monte Carlo.
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2000
A rare foray into leopard print for Bellucci, who still reached for some jaw-dropping jewellery for this Cannes Film Festival outing.
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2000
With co-star Morgan Freeman at the Deauville screening of their movie, Under Suspicion.
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2001
In black lace and diamonds at the Laureus World Sports Awards.
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2001
Bellucci in her favourite colour for a shoot at Toronto’s Hotel Inter-Continental.
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2001
A new colour, but the curve-skimming silhouette is familiar at the Laureus World Sport Awards.
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2002
Bringing a hint of gothic allure to the red carpet in 2002.
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2003
In Deauville, France in a corset dress and a collar necklace.
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2005
In a champagne slip dress at the Venice Film Festival in 2005.
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2005
Looking very La Dolce Vita at a party in Paris.
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2005
Black lace and diamonds all present and correct at the Venice Film Festival.
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2005
Making form-fitting black satin work for a sunny day in LA.
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2006
A typically regal red-carpet appearance at Cannes.
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2017
A dramatic all-black Alaïa look for the Monaco Red Cross Ball Gala in 2017.
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2018
For Bellucci, seen leaving the Dior Couture show in Paris in 2018, this is low-key daywear.
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2018
A black fishtail Dolce & Gabbana gown for an LA awards ceremony is classic Bellucci.
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2018
On the red carpet at the Dinard Film Festival.
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2018
What would a French film festival be without an appearance from a black lace-clad Monica Bellucci?
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2019
Leopard print has worked its way into her wardrobe, as evidenced by this appearance in Alexandre Vauthier, in Paris.
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2019
In jaw-dropping Cartier jewels and a Dior gown in Cannes.
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2019
Arriving in style (and Dior) at the Venice Film Festival in 2019.
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2019
Turning heads in a red Dolce & Gabbana gown from its Alta Moda collection at the 2019 Venice Film Festival.
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2019
When Bellucci does tailoring, it’s anything but corporate.
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2019
Every inch the femme fatale at the spring/summer 2020 shows in Paris.
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2020
Bellucci made an appearance in form-fitting plum Dolce & Gabbana lace at the Taormina Film Festival.
