Italian actress Monica Bellucci has signed on as the new face of upscale French cashmere designer Eric Bompard’s autumn-winter 2011-12 advertising campaign, reports Elle.
The 46-year-old star, who played Mary Magdalene in 2004’s The Passion of the Christ, was named the most beautiful women in the world in 2009.
The former model was in top form as she posed for photographer Vincent Peters, wearing the warm cashmere colors of next season. Belluci got her start in modeling at the age of 16, and before moving on to acting, represented major brands like Dolce & Gabbana and Christian Dior.
Belluci is married to French actor Vincent Cassel (Black Swan), and they have two daughters, Deva, 7, and Léonie, 1.
Speaking of his collaboration with Bellucci, Bompard noted that the values embodied by the Italian beauty – her reputation, femininity and fiery temperament – were also a reflection of the cashmere brand, founded in 1985 and based in Neuilly-sur-Seine, France.
Bompard’s passion for cashmere dates back nearly 30 years to the 1980s, when he discovered a small Mongolian goat with long, soft hair that protected it from the freezing temperatures. The product’s quality comes from an expert combination of Mongolian wool and traditional knitting techniques.