Brigitte Bardot Before the Blonde

In 1955, a 19-year-old Brigitte Bardot graced the Cannes Film Festival, not yet the blonde bombshell icon the world would soon adore. This photograph captures her at a turning point, just before her ascent to stardom. At this time, Brigitte had only starred in a few low-budget French and Italian films, her fame still a whisper on the horizon.

Her natural beauty and charm are evident even before she adopted her signature blonde hairstyle that would define an era. In just a few years, her face and captivating on-screen presence would become known worldwide, but this photo shows the humble beginnings of a star about to shine.