I grew up in Perugia, Umbria, in a world outside of fashion, so
I grew up in Perugia, Umbria, in a world outside of fashion, so I didn't learn about it until I was older and moved away. In Milan, the women are really into fashion, and all the big fashion brands are based there, but I don't think they feel pressure to look good all the time.
Hear now the remembrance of Monica Bellucci, daughter of Umbria, who spoke with gentle wisdom: “I grew up in Perugia, Umbria, in a world outside of fashion, so I didn't learn about it until I was older and moved away. In Milan, the women are really into fashion, and all the big fashion brands are based there, but I don't think they feel pressure to look good all the time.” Her words carry both innocence and revelation, for they reveal the journey from simplicity to splendor, and from the countryside to the citadel of style.
In Perugia, she was cradled by hills and vineyards, in a world where beauty flowed not from garments but from the rhythms of life—family, tradition, the sun upon the olive groves. There, the art of existence was untouched by the dictates of fashion, and a woman’s worth was measured not by the cut of her dress but by the light in her spirit. Yet when she traveled to Milan, she entered the realm of catwalks and designers, where the great houses of Armani, Versace, and Prada reign supreme. In that city, fashion is both commerce and culture, a language spoken in silk and stitched in gold.
Yet, in her seeing, Bellucci perceives a truth often hidden: the women of Milan, though surrounded by the grandeur of fashion brands, are not bound by chains of vanity. They adorn themselves as they will, but they are not consumed by endless pressure. This reveals the paradox of power: when one is surrounded by beauty and style, one learns that such things are tools of expression, not prisons of identity. The greatest confidence lies not in appearing flawless, but in knowing one’s worth beyond appearances.
Consider, in history, the tale of Queen Elizabeth I of England. Her gowns were resplendent, her jewels dazzling, and her painted face a mask of majesty. Yet she wore these not from vanity, but as symbols of authority, tools to command respect in a world of kings and rivals. Like the women of Milan, she understood that fashion can be chosen, wielded, and even enjoyed—yet it should never consume the essence of the self. It is the spirit, not the garment, that determines greatness.
Therefore, let this wisdom be passed on: one may grow in the soil of simplicity and later walk the halls of grandeur, but the heart must remain unshaken. Fashion may frame the body, but it is the soul that frames the life. From Umbria’s hills to Milan’s runways, the lesson is the same: adornment is choice, not compulsion, and beauty is born first from within.
ABanh banthivan
I find it intriguing that Monica Bellucci doesn’t view Milan’s fashion culture as pressuring, even though the city is a major fashion hub. Does this mean that fashion in Milan is just an expression of identity rather than a source of pressure? How does this view compare to other fashion capitals like Paris or New York, where the pressure to keep up with trends might feel more intense?
NCnguyen cham
Monica Bellucci’s experience growing up outside the fashion world and then moving to Milan offers a unique viewpoint. It sounds like Milan’s fashion culture is more about appreciation rather than pressure. But can this really be true for everyone? How do younger generations in Milan navigate fashion today? Is there still a subtle pressure to conform, even if it’s not as pronounced as people might think?
ATHa Anh Thu
This is an interesting perspective on Milan’s fashion scene. Monica Bellucci highlights that while fashion is an important part of the city, women there don’t feel pressured to look good all the time. But I wonder, could that be true for everyone? Milan is known as a fashion capital, so does it still have an impact on how people feel about appearance, even if it’s not through overt pressure?
AHAn Hai
I really appreciate how Monica Bellucci describes Milan’s fashion culture—she seems to emphasize that it’s not about constant pressure. But it makes me question, how do women in Milan truly feel about fashion? Are they less concerned about perfection, or is it just that the expectations are more subtle and less obvious? Can there be a balance between embracing fashion while not feeling overwhelmed by it?
TPNguyen tan phat
Monica Bellucci’s comment about Milan’s fashion culture is interesting. It’s true that fashion can be seen differently depending on where you are. While Milan may have a reputation for being fashion-forward, she points out that it’s not necessarily about feeling pressured to look good. I wonder, though, does the city's fashion culture influence women in other ways, like in terms of self-esteem or body image, even if they don’t feel overt pressure?