Born 1943 in Porto Santo Stefano, Italian actress and model Benedetta Barzini was discovered at age 20 on the streets of Rome by Consuelo Crespi in 1963; Diana Vreeland soon thereafter received photographs of Barzini and sent a telegram asking if she could come to Manhattan to shoot for American Vogue with Irving Penn. She did so, and within ten days, she was signed with Ford Models.
Benedetta Barzini in the 1960s
Barzini hence established a successful fashion career in New York City, working with other notable fashion photographers such as Ugo Mulas, Richard Avedon, and Henry Clarke. She appeared on the cover of the first issue of Vogue Italia in November 1965, and became the first Italian model to be featured on the cover of American Vogue.
In December 1966, Barzini was named one of the “100 Great Beauties of the World” by the American fashion magazine Harper’s Bazaar. She became friends with and muse to artists including Salvador Dalí, Lee Strasberg, Bert Stern, and Richard Avedon in the course of her career. She also started hanging out at Andy Warhol’s Factory and was headed for the top rank of New York models, but decided to return to Italy in 1968 to act.
Take a look at these glamorous photos to see the beauty of young Benedetta Barzini in the 1960s.
Benedetta Barzini, photo by Bert Stern, Look magazine, 1963
Benedetta Barzini in a pumpkin cashmere sweater, long with big cowl collar by Braemar, earrings by Kramer, coiffure by Kenneth, make-up by Pablo of Elizabeth Arden, photo by Irving Penn, Vogue, August 1, 1964
Benedetta Barzini in a theater suit of gilded brocade with a pattern of gilt-edged multi-colored feathers by Oleg Cassini, coiffure by Kenneth, photo by Bert Stern, Vogue, September 15, 1964
Benedetta Barzini in beautiful long fitted dress of black velvet with a deep V back by Branell, rhinestone buckled shoes by Julianelli, coiffure by Marc Sinclair of Pierre Henri, photo by David Bailey, Vogue, August 15, 1964
Benedetta Barzini in bittersweet tweed suit of mohair and wool plaided with blue worn with bright blue silk overblouse by Jacques Tiffeau of Tiffeau & Busch, photo by Irving Penn, Vogue, August 1, 1964
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