Melania Dalla Costa is a fashion icon known for her elegance and beauty. Her surprising and magnetic gaze, coupled with her obvious beauty will send shivers down your spine. Currently, the Italian-French actor, writer, producer, and activist splits her time between Milan and Los Angeles.

Most recently, the luminous and enchanting actress of Venetian origins returned to her beloved homeland in Italy. Attending the 80th annual Venice International Film Festival in early September, Dalla Costa stunned on the red carpet for the film “Hors-Saison (Out Of Season)” by Stéphane Brizé.

The luminous and enchanting actress was styled by Tara Swennen, a renowned award-winning stylist. Inducted into the Costume Designers Guild, Swennen has collaborated on several major fashion and beauty campaigns, and her work has appeared in a number of notable magazines.

Dalla Costa, who has graced the cover of a variety of well-known fashion magazines, works closely with international luxury brands. With over 30 years of acting experience and a prosperous career on the rise, we can confirm an important fact about the European bombshell beauty — she is one of the international-film actresses to keep an eye on.

What inspired you to become an actor?

Becoming an actress was kind of my destiny from birth. I was named Melania because my mother was fascinated by Olivia de Havilland’s character, Melania Hamilton, in Gone with the Wind. My parents love movies, so I grew up watching a lot of movies and immersed myself in the art world because my father is a former painter and photographer. In fact, the first nude photos that I saw were of my mother in a bathtub, captured by my dad. I used to spend afternoons leaning against the lamp on the dining room table so I could sneak a look at them. I grew up in a small mountain village, it’s one of the seven towns on the Asiago Plateau; I entered the world of theater in elementary school and continued until high school. When I was 19, I moved to Milan; for me it was a dream to be able to live in the city. I attended three theater schools before moving to Rome where I trained at the Diotaiuti Theater Conservatory. You can have talent, but training and preparation are indispensable. Playing sports helped me build character and taught me the determination and discipline needed to bring home winning results. On that same note, I meticulously studied the Chubbuck Technique founded by Ivana Chubbuck, an enlightened woman who has worked with many Academy Award winners, for two years, which helped me understand myself as an actor.

What excites you most in life?

I am driven by life’s challenges and being the best version of myself. For instance, I strive every day to improve myself and become a better human being and artist. I swoon over the small things in life like the beauty of nature, it opens my eyes to so many wonders. I love to troubleshoot problems to find a solution. I am very solution-focused and believe that there can be many hardships in life, but also helpful solutions to make those issues better. My focus is always toward spreading positivity and light.

How do you feel about being chosen as an ambassador by Bvlgari? Plus, we just saw you modeling high-end jewelry for OMNIA perfume as well.

I am very proud and honored to be part of the Bvlgari family. Bvlgari has introduced innovations that have rewritten the rules of global jewelry and launched new trends that have become icons of contemporary design. Bvlgari represents luxury, splendor, magnificence, and elegance. The fragrance OMNIA: REVEAL YOUR LIGHT is about an iconic design reinterpreted for a timeless collection that transforms the unique sparkle of colored gemstones and the splendor of the most delicate flowers into precious drops of light.

What is your biggest motivation when it comes to your activism journey?

The way I see it, the fundamental task of human beings is to help the weak, and that’s what my activism journey has enabled me to do; to speak up for those women who don’t feel they have a voice. For example, violence against women comes in many forms. Beyond that, women struggle every day to prove they can work, be strong, have a family, and raise children. Thus, I’m motivated to protect them. On that note, November 25 is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and that’s when the 16 Days of Activism campaign kicks off. It’s supported by citizens and organizations around the world to promote the prevention and elimination of violence against women and girls. The campaign was conceived by the first Women’s Global Leadership Institute in 1991, coordinated by the Center for Women’s Global Leadership. The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence campaign is an important opportunity to highlight the problem of gender-based violence, promote equality as well as non-discrimination, and the need to have respect for human rights.

Can you share some upcoming projects that you are working on?

I am working on international projects as an actress, but unfortunately, I can’t say more at this time.

You are living between Milan and Los Angeles. So far, how do you like living in LA?

I like living in LA, mainly because of the weather, competitiveness, and positivity. But, I also like that I get to experience Milan and enjoy all of its splendor, then escape to my little village in Veneto where I grew up — it’s in the mountains, has lots of farm animals, and only 2000 inhabitants. It holds a very special place in my heart.

When it comes to fashion, which style icons are you inspired by and what’s your best advice?

Well, I try not to take inspiration from anyone to maintain my style, which is unique to my personality. However, I am drawn toward minimalist-chic and elegant clothing, and the female icons that imbue the classic-fashion style that I love are Audrey Hepburn, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, and Grace Kelly. Now, when it comes to my best fashion advice, I think a woman must not follow the fashion of the moment, but wear clothes that reflect her essence, who she truly is, regardless of trends and time.

Editorial Credits
Jewelry: Bvlgari
Photographer: Maria La Torre
Creative Direction: Marcela Mayorga de Meignan

ITP Media Group newsroom and editorial staff were not involved in the creation of this content.