50 Glamorous Photos of Benedetta Barzini in the 1960s

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

Benedetta Barzini in brilliant silk peasant skirt quilted in purple printed silk faille worn with a vivid green surah shirt and matching lined kerchief, by Yves Saint Laurent, photo by William Klein, Vogue, June 1, 1964

Benedetta Barzini in colorful silk burnoose spiraled in vivid yellow, green and pink by Lucie Ann, Taj of India sandals, Laguna earrings, coiffure by Sebou of House of Revlon, photo by Horst P. Horst, Vogue, November 15, 1964

Benedetta Barzini in gleaming gold suit with an easy braid-bound jacket and blouson top with thin straps by Leonard Arkin, earrings by Nina Ricci for Cadoro, photo by Irving Penn, Vogue, August 1, 1964

Benedetta Barzini in jacketed dress in navy blue and white plaid over stripes of silk twill by Marc Bohan for Dior, worn with shina straw hat and lapis earrings, photo by William Klein, Vogue, April 1, 1964

Benedetta Barzini in kimono-shift of the softest pale-taupe suède with a wide tubular sash of the same suède by Viola Sylbert, twisted coral necklace by Mimi di N, leather gloves by Aris, photo by Irving Penn, Vogue, August 1, 1964

Benedetta Barzini in long coal-black windbreak of crinkly stretch cloqué, sleek and narrow that zips to small Chinese collar by Len Artel, patterned stockings by Adler, coiffure by Kenneth, 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

Benedetta Barzini, 1964

Bendetta Barzini is wearing a kufiyah (Arab desert headdress) made of white cotton organdie drawn over a tall tarboosh by Mr. John, earrings by Les Bernard, make-up by Max Factor, photo by Irving Penn, Vogue, April 15, 1965

Benedetta Barzini in a fashion photo against backdrop of an Aubrey Beardsly print, photo by Milton Greene, 1965

Benedetta Barzini in a long white crêpe dress with giant black rose on the shoulder by Pierre Cardin, make-up by Estée Lauder, coiffure by Alexandre, photo by Irving Penn, Vogue, November 1, 1965

Benedetta Barzini in bougainvilla-pink suit in chiffon over two layers of silk bound in chiffon, the shaped jacket over a sleeveless dress by Ben Zuckerman, earrings by Apex Art, photo by Irving Penn, Vogue, March 15, 1965

Benedetta Barzini in vermillion crêpe chalwar trousers and halter drenched in beads under a velvet edged organza caftan by Eric Lund for Branell, cap by Mr. John, slippers by Marimekko, photo by Irving Penn, Vogue, April 15, 1965

Benedetta Barzini in yellow faille kimono dress by Norman Norell, tulip hair arrangement by Halston, photo by Irving Penn, Vogue, April 1, 1965

Benedetta Barzini is wearing a foulard-silk colored fan-pleated shawl by Mr. John, earrings by KJL, hair and make-up by Clairol, photo by Irving Penn, Vogue, May 1, 1965

Benedetta Barzini is wearing champagne beige Persian lamb trenchcoat by Ben Kahn, photo by Penn for Vogue, 1965

Benedetta Barzini is wearing yellow tulip headdress arranged by Halston, make-up from Revlon's "Worldly Young Innocents", photo by Irving Penn, Vogue, April 1, 1965

Benedetta Barzini photographed by Bert Stern for a Beauty Editorial in Vogue US, March 1965

Benedetta Barzini with make-up by Pablo for Elizabeth Arden, depicting the season Autumn, photo by Bert Stern, Vogue, 1965

Benedetta Barzini, photo by Gordon Parks for Vogue, 1965

Benedetta Barzini in black and white wool tweed suit by Originala, yellow kidskin hat by Irene of New York, photo by Irving Penn, Vogue, 1966

Benedetta Barzini in ciré coat of burnished paisley by Bill Blass, chin-strapped white leather helmet by Halston, photo by Irving Penn, 1966

Benedetta Barzini in mist of floral chiffon suit over their replica in silk with yellow bodice by Leslie Morris, earrings by Jack Gilbert, coiffure by Degar of Coiffures Americana, photo by Irving Penn, Vogue, April 1, 1966

Benedetta Barzini in palest blue dress with a little band of belt set high, cowl neck and kimono sleeves by Charles Cooper, Mimi di N earrings, coiffure by Ingrid of Kenneth, Hansen Complexion gloves, photo by Irving Penn, Vogue, 1966

Benedetta Barzini in printed chiffon-lamé dress crusted with golden flowers and tied like a scarf at the back of the neck by Georgia Bullock, earrings by Hattie Carnegie, shoes by Herbert Levine, photo by Richard Avedon, Vogue, 1966

Benedetta Barzini, make-up and styled by Nando Chiesa, photo by Gian Paolo Barbieri for Vogue Italia, December 1966

Benedetta is wearing pyjamas of flowered pleats in glistening chiffon lame by Jean Louis, photo by Richard Avedon, Vogue, 1966

Benedetta Barzini in a mosaic evening dress by Valentino, coiffure by Alexandre, photo by Henry Clarke in the Benedictine cloister at Monreale, Sicily, Vogue, December 1, 1967,

Benedetta Barzini in brown linen harness-dress by Christian Dior-New York, photo by Richard Avedon, Vogue, April 1, 1967

Benedetta Barzini in brown organza dress with wrapped bodice and sash tied to the side, the skirt has a deep flamenco flounce by Chester Weinberg, Schiaparelli sandals, photo by Richard Avedon, Vogue, April 1, 1967

Benedetta Barzini in charming brown cotton eyelet dress with brown satin sash up high on the waist by Marie McCarthy for Larry Aldrich, photo by Richard Avedon, Vogue, April 1, 1967

Benedetta Barzini in chiffon smock haltered pajamas, silk print in chrome yellow and bougainvilla, by Hanae Mori, photo by Irving Penn, Vogue, January 1, 1967

Benedetta Barzini in chocolate brown linen dress by Junior Sophisticates, Dynel hairpieces by Tovar-Tresses, photo by Richard Avedon, Vogue, April 1, 1967

Benedetta Barzini in double-faced purple-and-green plaid suit-dress with high-curved jacket and high-waisted dress by Fabiani for Feder, KJL earrings, coiffure by Suga of Kenneth, photo by Bert Stern, Vogue, February 15, 1967

Benedetta Barzini in fuschia crêpe dress simply cut across the shoulder and sashed high by Gino Charles, coiffure by maury of Kenneth, photo by Irving Penn, Vogue, July 1, 1967

Benedetta Barzini in mocha brown Moygashel linen dress side-buttoned with uneven hem by Chester Weinberg, coiffure by Ara Gallant, orange patent leather pumps by Julianelli, photo by Richard Avedon, Vogue, April 1, 1967

Benedetta Barzini in sparkly yellow lace dress shot with threads of silver and gold, shaped with high narrow belt by Laurence Gross, earrings by Mimi di N, photo by Gianni Penati, Vogue, August 15, 1967

Benedetta Barzini in violet crêpe dress with ruffles clear down to the waist in back by Gino Charles, coiffure by Maury of Kenneth, stockings by Bewitching, shoes by Lady Continental, photo by Irving Penn, Vogue, July 1, 1967

Benedetta Barzini in wonderful coat in printed silk over a dress to match by Oscar de la Renta for Jane Derby, earrings by Michael Hic, coiffure by Marc Sinclair, photo by Irving Penn, Vogue, March 1, 1967

Benedetta Barzini is wearing the splendour of an Indian maharani's jewels of rubies, emeralds and diamonds all by Van Cleef & Arpels, coiffure by Kenneth, photo by David Bailey, Vogue, October 15, 1967

Benedetta Barzini in Pucci's palazzo pyjamas, photo by Henry Clarke, 1968

Benedetta Barzini is wearing a necklace by Bulgari, photo by Gian Paolo Barbieri for Vogue US, September 15, 1968

Benedetta Barzini is wearing Bulgari enameled snake bracelet, necklace and hair ornament, make-up by Pablo at Elizabeth Arden, photo by Gian Paolo Barbieri, Rome, 1968

Benedetta in Cardin's marabou parfait of orange, pink, purple and green bands circling a black satin-back crepe short dress, photo by Irving Penn, Vogue, 1968

Benedetta Barzini, photo by Ugo Mulas for a Mila Schön ad campaign, Spring/Summer 1969