At 30, Isabella Rossellini became the highest-paid model in the world, serving as the face of Lancôme and appearing on 36 Vogue covers. Coming from an artistic family and married to Martin Scorsese, her transition into modeling was surprising, even making her feel ashamed of the money she earned. Raised in an environment where women delegated financial management, she decided to break that cycle, inspired by the feminist movement, and take full control of her income. This independence marked a crucial difference from her mother, actress Ingrid Bergman, who lost part of her fortune by relying on others.Rossellini was not only a fashion icon but also a privileged witness to photographic art, collaborating with Helmut Newton, Steven Meisel, Richard Avedon, and Annie Leibovitz. For her, modeling was more than just aesthetics; it was an emotional expression where her face served as a vehicle for the photographers' vision. It was not about the perfect symmetry of a face but about the ability to convey an emotion that the artist captured and reinterpreted through their lens Despite her success, she was dismissed by Lancôme in 1996, only to return years later in a professional vindication. Her career demonstrates how beauty, talent, and autonomy can coexist, redefining industry standards and leaving a legacy where art and independence are inseparable.
