Among the social media influencers, celebrity children, and fashion insiders on the runway at Dolce & Gabbana, there was one familiar face. The Italian supermodel Bianca Balti has been present at the brand’s shows and in its campaigns for more than a decade, and she returned yesterday, bringing a bit of old-world elegance to this season’s bombastic “break the Internet” energy. Balti may not have the most followers, but she is the ultimate representative of the Dolce & Gabbana ethos. Italian and sultry with a look that calls to mind Angelina Jolie, Balti has been the face of D&G’s fragrances, has walked the runway while pregnant with her daughter Mia, and has been an integral part of the family since 2005.
For Balti, who grew up seeing the label’s campaigns in her hometown of Lodi, Italy, the longstanding collaboration has been fulfilling. “I grew up having all the Dolce & Gabbana campaigns on the walls of my teenage bedroom, and I was dreaming of one day being a model,” said Balti via phone from her home in Southern California. “When I dream, I dream big. I’ve been working with them for the past 12 years, and it’s such a blessing to still be around in this business, working with the people I care about and doing new things.”
Always keen to try new things, Balti’s latest endeavor puts her in the pages of an American institution. As one of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue’s rookies, Balti reinvented herself as a pinup, showcasing her beauty in a manner different from all the L’Oréal campaigns and Mario Testino shoots she is used to. “You’re stripping down to a very tiny bikini, which might seem tense, but the whole team is so supportive,” said Balti. “They’re right there telling you that you’re beautiful and helping you feel great.” The shoot on scenic Sumba Island was only topped by the icon-filled press tour. “Everyone asks me, ‘Oh, how is Chrissy Teigen?’ but I’d never met her before!” said Balti, who admits to feeling starstruck in the company of some of SI’s legends. “When they had us all on the same plane with Christie Brinkley, I almost had to pinch myself. It was just amazing.”
With Sports Illustrated under her belt and yet another appearance for Dolce & Gabbana, Balti’s career continues to thrive. Entering into the established yet still in-demand period that few models get to see, Balti is grateful for the relationships she’s built along the way. “At this point it’s nice. You catch up with the people when you go to work. It’s such a pleasure when you go [backstage] and it’s a reunion!” said Balti. Though she’s blessed with a strong fashion family, her favorite part of the job might be the amount of time it allows her with her daughters, Mia and Matilde.
“I work and I travel, but I also get to be with [my daughters] for weeks, from morning to evening, and enjoy seeing them grow up. With any other job, you don’t always get to spend that much time in a day with your kids,” said Balti. “Becoming a mother made me better understand how blessed I am to do this job.”