The Philippines

Imelda Marcos, ever the diplomat of beauty, extended an invitation to Italian actress Gina Lollobrigida to photograph the "true" Philippines in the 1970s. Amidst the backdrop of poverty and political unrest, Imelda sought to showcase the country's splendor through Gina's lens — hoping to capture the beauty of the islands and its people, while subtly glossing over the hardships many Filipinos faced.