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He is an acclaimed American director, producer, writer and illustrator with a string of acclaimed films under his belt and a cabinet (or downstairs toilet) full of awards to create. She is an Italian actress, former Bond Girl, model and muse who has acted as a brand ambassador for Cartier, Dior and Dolce & Gabbana.
Together, Tim Burton and Monica Bellucci have a conservative net worth of $150m. But no amount of money in the world can buy you love. For that, you need a little understandable thing called chemistry. Happily for them, they seem to have it in spades.
Those mourning the sad death of Bennifer – or in some cases, still mourning the death of Tim Burton and Helena Bonham Carter – will be delighted to learn that Hollywood has a new couple to create their romantic replacement hope; one that seems to still be going strong after a full twelve months.
Although they confirmed their relationship last summer, Monica and Tim have wisely kept it low-key – until now. Appearing on the red carpet together at the Venice Film Festival to promote Burton’s new film, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice (which stars Bellucci alongside Winona Ryder and Jenna Ortega), Burton, 66, and Bellucci, 59, looked happy, relaxed – and very stylishly coordinated.
Bellucci has always been stylish, of course, in the Italian way especially “molto sexy” which has its genesis in Gina Lollobrigida and Sophia Loren. For the first trip in Venice, she chose a black and white calf-length Dolce & Gabbana dress in this season’s fashionable polka dot print, in a fancy off-the-shoulder style. Worn with black velvet platform sandals and black cat-eye shades, she looked as elegant as ever.
While he certainly has his own self-defined style, “elegant” is not a descriptor that anyone would have applied to Tim Burton even five years ago.
Perhaps ‘dissolving from a shallow grave’ would be more appropriate. Burton was a “dresser” decades before it became a Hollywood trend, his personal style closely matching the aesthetic of his films.
This style of filmmaking is so respected that its very name, “Burtonesque”, his childhood interest in the grotesque transforms into a career-long obsession with unworldly, dystopian realms of freaks, goths and weirdos, such as appears in popular films. such as Edward Scissorhands, Sweeney Todd and Corpse Bride. Catwalk trends may come and go, but for Burton, the gothic look is nothing less than a way of life.
Or at least, he was – certainly during his 13-year relationship with British actress Helena Bonham Carter. Loved for her eccentric English style, Bonham Carter wouldn’t think of wearing frilly white Victorian bloomers to her local yoga class (I know: I’ve seen her), and she’s styled every Vivienne Westwood dress she’s worn with her brand disarming of Gothic charm.
Burton represented her to a tee. Not knowing too much about a hairbrush, the two would wander the streets of north-west London with delightfully messy hair, she in a tea dress and bright boots, he in a black shirt, well-loved cardigan and scrub shoes.
Fast forward to August 2024, and there are no scuffed shoes on Burton’s feet: like the rest of him, they are now more polished. Although it won’t look as pristine as Tom Ford, Burton certainly made it look. When dating a woman as elegant as Bellucci, you shave your hair and wear a tailored black jacket and a soft printed shirt.
But the disdain for each other’s style cuts both ways. Burton’s films are known for their avoidance of saturated color and their dramatic use of black and white. Bellucci has always worn a lot of black: could the black and white polka dots on her Dolce & Gabbana dress be an homage to Burton’s favorite color palette? Arriving in Venice, she wore a wide leg white suit with a black shirt, further evidence of her matching monochrome outfit.
Only time will tell if Hollywood’s latest power couple will rock their trademark “la Dolce Vita Goth” look, but if they do, they won’t be the first to dress in similar ways. From Bogart and Bacall to Pitt and Paltrow, the public’s interest in “couple style” is constantly captured by the most talented duos who dress to match each other in a way that enhances their status.
When you’re famous, your fashion choices end up being scrutinized. When you’re famous, the test is even tougher: ask the Beckhams or the Carters.
While neither Burton nor Bellucci need the extra cash, dressing couples can be a lucrative business. Get it right, and you can command twice the attention and achieve twice.
“Instacouples” like Italian influencers Chiara Ferragni and Fedez Lucia (now divorced) have made millions in branding and sponsorship deals, simply by looking good together. Two more recent examples include actors Tom Holland and Zendaya (combined estimated worth: £16m), and singer Dua Lipa and actor boyfriend, Callum Turner (combined estimated worth: £50m).
While hooking up may not always mean winning, so far it looks like Burton and Bellucci might just go the distance. As long as they are together, we plan to enjoy their love of Gothic fashion.
