10 facts you (maybe) didn’t know about Bianca Balti

Like many other models, you probably know Bianca Balti for her incredible beauty. And truly, no one can blame you for that, because Bianca is so stunning that I think people in the room collectively hold their breath when she appears. That’s why it’s no small thing when, fully aware this might sound like the biggest cliché, I can say that her greatest beauty actually comes from within. She is known for her relaxed nature, openness, and honesty, and for sharing personal and vulnerable moments of her life with the public in order to support others who might be going through similar experiences.

Bianca Balti was born in 1984 in the Lombard town of Lodi, and on her mother’s side, she is Azerbaijani. She started her modeling career at the age of twenty and soon became one of the most famous Italian models. Besides making us laugh behind the scenes of the biggest fashion shows for over two decades, Bianca Balti is also an activist. For the past ten years, she has actively supported the work of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, advocating for marginalized groups of people. Recently, she has been speaking passionately about the importance of cancer prevention and women’s solidarity.

Below, I bring you 10 interesting facts about Bianca Balti that you might not know yet, hoping to convey at least a part of what makes her so special.

1. She studied web and graphic design

Before starting her modeling career, Bianca studied web and graphic design at a university in Milan. Although she received modeling offers during her teenage years, her mother was determined that she finish high school before entering the fashion industry. As Bianca admits, she spent more time at parties than in lectures (who can blame her?). However, at the age of twenty, just before the start of the fall semester, Bianca Balti received an offer to work with the fashion house Dolce & Gabbana, which became a turning point in her career.

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2. She has been working with the Dolce & Gabbana for twenty years

Bianca Balti is the global face of the fashion house Dolce & Gabbana, with whom she has collaborated for two decades. She has fronted their campaigns, walked in numerous shows (even while pregnant!), and became the face of the iconic Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue fragrance. The 2006 Light Blue campaign featuring her and model David Gandy quickly gained cult status. It’s clear why Balti became a favorite of Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana and an essential face of the brand—she embodies everything Dolce & Gabbana represents. She’s Italian, sensual, and stunning. Her love for the brand (and the designers’ love for her) was on full display at her wedding in California in 2016, where she wore a custom-made lace Dolce & Gabbana wedding dress.

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3. Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana are close friends of hers

It’s only natural that a long-lasting friendship developed between Bianca Balti, Domenico Dolce, and Stefano Gabbana. Bianca has repeatedly expressed how much this friendship means to her and how grateful she is to the designers, admitting that she doesn’t know where she would be if she had never met them.

4. Film and television appearances

However, although her career has mostly been based in the fashion world, Bianca has made a few film appearances. In 2007, she starred alongside Willem Dafoe in the film Go Go Tales, directed by Abel Ferrara. It’s a comedy set in a Manhattan go-go dance club, where a financial entanglement between the owner, the accountant, and a silent partner threatens the future of the entire business. Bianca Balti has also tried her hand at television— in 2018, she hosted the Italian version of the show BeastMasters, and in February this year, she was one of the hosts of the Italian music competition San Remo..

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5. Self-care and sobriety

When it comes to personal and difficult topics Bianca Balti has spoken about openly, her struggle with substance abuse is one of the most significant. In numerous interviews, podcasts, and on her social media platforms, Bianca has shared with her followers that there was a period in her life when, overwhelmed by pressure from all sides, she sought comfort in alcohol and drugs. She admitted that her life at the time was unstable, filled with endless partying and impulsive behavior.

However, as someone who has always advocated for self-care, the model made the decision to completely give up harmful substances. She wanted to be more present and face the traumas and insecurities she had previously swept under the rug. Bianca Balti has now been sober for some time and says her life has only gotten better since. “I thought life without substances would be boring. Instead, the more sober I am, the better life gets,” she shared on her Instagram, congratulating herself on her “sobriety birthday.”

6. Design ventures

Over the years, Bianca Balti has also ventured into fashion design, mainly through capsule collections and collaborations that reflect her personal sensibility. From 2015 to 2017, she collaborated with the Italian lingerie and swimwear brand Yamamay. In this project, she wasn’t just a model—she was also involved in designing the collection. The result was a line of vintage-inspired swimsuits evoking the glamour of 1960s Italy.

In 2018, she launched her own brand, the Bianca Balti Collection, with a clear vision to offer beautifully crafted, luxurious pieces for pregnant women around the world. Her aim was to create specialized clothing that would be accessible to both expectant mothers and women who are not pregnant. The brand prides itself on its commitment to sustainability—using locally sourced materials, exclusively working with deadstock fabrics, and manufacturing everything in the heart of Los Angeles.

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7. She loves cats (and tattoos)

People who love cats often feel the need to share that love with the world. Bianca Balti, for example, has the word “cat” tattooed on her hand because, as she says, she identifies with a cat’s independence. However, that is just one of her four tattoos. On the middle finger of her left hand, she has the letter “M” tattooed. This tattoo symbolizes several things: her daughter Matilda, her partner Matthew, and the word “mama.”

8. Passion for surfing

Bianca Balti often mentions her love for surfing, which has become an important part of her life in recent years. Not only was her swimwear line inspired by the surfing culture of the 1960s, but this activity is also a key part of her idea of a “perfect day.” However, Bianca admits that despite her passion, she isn’t particularly skilled at the sport. Still, that doesn’t stop her from thoroughly enjoying it. Through surfing, she has overcome her fear of deep water and proudly recalls her experience in Costa Rica, where she caught the biggest wave of her life so far.

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9. Battle with illness

n recent years, Bianca Balti has become a symbol of resilience and authenticity. In 2022, she underwent a preventive double mastectomy after discovering that she carries a variant of the BRCA1 gene, which significantly increases the risk of breast and ovarian cancer. In September 2024, she announced that she had started chemotherapy for ovarian cancer. She has shared her entire journey of battling cancer with the public, emphasizing the importance of prevention, genetic testing, and health care. Her honesty and perseverance inspire us to be supportive, courageous, and authentic. Despite her illness, Bianca Balti walks with her head held high, without a wig, defying this difficult disease and proving that she is a true heroine (and fashion icon).

10. She has appeared on seven Vogue covers so far

Bianca Balti has appeared on seven Vogue covers so far: two for Vogue Spain, two for Vogue Mexico, as well as Vogue Japan, Vogue Brazil, and Vogue Portugal. The May cover of Vogue Adria is her eighth.