ITALY'S TOP FIVE BEAUTY ICONS.
Italy, the Bel Paese, where beauty is to be found around every corner. Landscapes, art, history, culture, fashion and design: everything speaks a language of beauty that is revisited, adjusted and interpreted. And envied the world over. The myth of Italian beauty also lies in the irresistible charisma of women who have used their appearance—taken as an aesthetic reference model by fashion and cinema, with public approval—to make it more concrete and real. Beautiful, talented, strong-minded artists that ooze seduction from every pore, who history has elevated to sex symbol status and who are still today a source of Italian pride. Who are we talking about? Of the five most beautiful Italian women of all time who continue to inspire millions of women in Italy and around the world.
Sophia Loren A woman of unbridled beauty who personified the erotic fantasy of Italian men and of men around the world at a time known for its voluptuous female film stars Her mother shaped her career by encouraging her to take part in beauty contests at a very young age and—on seeing her potential—to enter the film industry. At 16 she won the title of Miss Elegance, which is said to have been created specifically for her. According to the American Film Institute, Sophia Loren is one of the 25 greatest screen legends of all time. Sofia Loren has starred in masterpieces of Italian film such as "Two Women", "Marriage Italian Style", "Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow". Dolce & Gabbana engaged her to star in a perfume campaign and dedicated Lipstick no. 1to her.
Gina Lollobrigida Considered an international sex symbol throughout the 1950s and 1960s, Gina Lollobrigida was shy and didn't consider herself beautiful. After a number of appearances in photonovels and Rome's Cinecittà film studio, the precautious beauty was finally spotted when taking part in Miss Italy contest in 1947, which she naturally won. Beautiful, provocative and Mediterranean yet the epitome of grace, she was invited to Hollywood by billionaire Howard Hughes, producer and maker of stars. But she didn't stay long as she couldn't stand the Mecca of cinema. On her return to Italy she starred in "Bread, Love and Dreams", alongside Vittorio De Sica. A resounding success, the high grossing film generated 1.5 billion Italian Lira in box office revenues and earned Gina Lollobrigida the nickname of Bersagliera (woman of resolve), her character's name in the film. Although rumours of a liaison with Fidel Castro were rife in 1974, this was always denied. Her passions include photography and painting. In 2018 she was the face of "Valigia di salvataggio" (Rescue Suitcase), an initiative promoted and implemented by the Salvamamme Association to support women in need and victims of violence. A true woman of resolve, even at the age of 91.

Claudia Cardinale A unique actress and sensual, intensely Mediterranean woman. Aged 19, she came first in "The most beautiful Italian girl in Tunisia" beauty contest in 1957, winning a trip to the Venice Film Festival. Photographers couldn't get enough of the bikini-clad on the beach, as yet unknown in Italy. Although she said she didn't want to make films, the film industry began to fascinate her. Her first Italian film was "Big Deal on Madonna Street", directed by Mario Monicelli. She later starred alongside Marcello Mastroianni, in "Il bell'Antonio" [Handsome Antonio]. We all remember just how beautiful she was in the very famous film "The Leopard", directed by Luchino Visconti. An independent woman with extraordinary inner strength and a great commitment to social causes. A UNESCO ambassador, she supports the defence of women's and homosexual rights and helps young people who want to get into the film industry by financing their films.
Virna Lisi Yet another canon of beauty, although not the voluptuous or precautious beauty for which Sophia Loren and Gina Lollobrigida were respectively known. Let alone the Mediterranean beauty of Claudia Cardinale With her elegant, porcelain features, Virna Lisi is known for her cool, aristocratic beauty. Simona Izzo said that "she was so beautiful that her face looked like a painting". The Cannes Film Festival saw her receive David di Donatello and Silver Ribbon awards. She experienced the golden age of Hollywood, where she starred alongside Jack Lemmon and Tony Curtis, but left before her contract was up as she felt as if trapped in a golden cage of hairdressers, luxury and isolation. In her eyes her beauty held her back, so much so that she said "My whole life I have tried to make myself less beautiful because I've never given a damn about beauty. What advantages has your appearance brought you?". The Chlorodont toothpaste advert she starred in has a very well-known slogan: “With that mouth you can say all that you want to say".
Anna Magnani She was undoubtedly one of the greatest female stars in the history of cinema. An undisputedly, exceptionally intense, talented actress and symbol of Italian neo-realism. Anti-diva par excellence, she personified the authentic values of post-war Italy. The 1945 film "Rome, Open City" (1945), directed by Roberto Rossellini, saw her reveal all. Anna Magnani played the part of a brazen, ultra-confident and even violent woman of the lower classes in the vehement defence of fair values. She has shown great depth, suffering and sensitivity in portraying her parts, all with a lively temperament. All these women of iconic beauty are unique with very strong characters. And they all went beyond magazine covers and the big screen to become legends. Each in her own way.