Claudia Cardinale: Divinity in Sicily

The most beautiful dress on the most beautiful woman. 

CLAUDIA CARDINALE

The costumes worn by Claudia Cardinale in Luchino Visconti’s 1963 period drama, The Leopard are exquisite: with an expert fit and attention paid to every detail of styling by costume designer, Piero Tosi, these dresses linger in the memory as the epitome of nineteenth century elegance and femininity. Of course there’s also the staggeringly handsome Burt Lancaster and Alain Delon who appear in the film, but Cardinale steals the show in her romantic gowns with their billowy skirts and tight bodices. One of the most infamous gowns in the film appears red from a distance but, up close, is more of a deep raspberry pink with a diamond pattern, white trim on the collar and sleeves, and a little black bow to complete the overall effect.