Born 1939 as Count Paolo Michaelangelo Zappi-Manzoni di Giovecca in Bologna, Italian make-up artist Pablo Manzoni persuaded the Elizabeth Arden salon in Rome to employ him at the age of 17, despite his lack of experience. Whilst there, he worked with clients such as Sophia Loren, for whom he used his trademark eyebrow-bleaching technique to enhance her eyes. Another early Manzoni trademark was the use of false eyelashes.
Classic beauties were made up by Pablo Manzoni in the 1960s
In 1965, his eye-makeup techniques were so influential that he was awarded the Coty Award in recognition for launching a worldwide style. As a leader in the field of fashionable, elaborate eye-makeup, Pablo was extremely popular with fashion editors and society women during the 1960s. Manzoni stated in 1966 that the jewel-studded or flower-decorated eyes he created for the fashion press were intended to inspire the reader, rather than to be exactly copied. Despite this, he had clients asking him to reproduce the designs for actual wear. In 2011, Manzoni expanded on this, explaining that the “festive eyes” he created for Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar were intended for shock value and publicity purposes, but that when at work he created subtle make-up for clients.
In 1979, Manzoni left Elizabeth Arden to embark upon a solo career, for which he reclaimed his surname. By 1985, as well as dealing with private clients, Manzoni was working as a make-up consultant for Neiman Marcus. In 1990, he was Creative Director for the La Prairie cosmetics line.
Manzoni died from complications from back surgery in 2022, at the age of 82. These stunning photos captured portraits of classic beauties who were made up by Pablo Manzoni in the 1960s.
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 wearing Lace-Shadowed Eye, with Brussels lace, by Pablo for Elizabeth Arden, and cap by Halston, photo by Bert Stern, Vogue, 1964
Jean Shrimpton’s astonishing eyes were done with the longest eyelashes yet by Pablo of Elizabeth Arden, photo by Melvin Sokolsky, Harper’s Bazaar, July 1964
Jennifer O’Neill is wearing a sea-blue veil and cap glistening with sequins and beads by Lilly Daché, gem-laden eye make-up by Pablo of Elizabeth Arden, photo by James Moore, Harper’s Bazaar, December 1964
Tilly Tizzani holding an enamel-spotted gold tiger with emerald eyes and black and white enameled tiger with diamonds and emerald eyes, make-up by Pablo of Elizabeth Arden Salon-Rome, photo by Bert Stern, Vogue, March 15, 1964
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