With the 81st Venice Film Festival underway, celebrities from around the world have descended on the “City of Canals” in their finest ensembles. The festival, which began on August 28 and runs until September 7, has already seen some sensational sartorial moments, with A-listers donning bespoke, couture and vintage pieces for screenings of Queer, Wolfs, Babygirl, The Room Next Door and more of the season’s most anticipated movie premieres.
“It” girls Taylor Russell and Emily Ratajkowski stepped out in custom Loewe and archive Gucci pieces respectively, while Beetlejuice Beetlejuice star Jenna Ortega came out with a range of dazzling products, including her sheer Dior dress.
These are some of the best fashion moments from the Venice Film Festival.
All about movement
On the opening night of the Venice Film Festival, Ortega took center stage in Dior haute couture. The actress was attending the premiere of her new film, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, in a flowing tulle gown with a sweetheart bodice that paid homage to Lydia Deetz’s red wedding dress, which Winona Ryder wore in the original 1988 horror comedy film.
The Wednesday star wasn’t the only celebrity looking effortless in flowing fabrics. Italian model Sveva Alviti, who graced the festival’s opening night, glided down the red carpet in a pale green Gucci caftan dress, while Stella Maxwell wore a draped white gown by Saudi luxury house IKH.
Hooded dresses and statement headwear
Russell’s looks at the Venice Film Festival struck an impeccable balance between elegance and innovation – and the custom Loewe dress she wore to the premiere of Luca Guadagnino’s Foreign was no exception. The Canadian actress, who is also a jury member at this year’s festival, turned heads in a black bodycon dress with a sculptural hood that draped over her shoulders.
Actresses Isabelle Huppert and Mădălina Diana Ghenea impressed with their beaded headpieces that matched their outfits.
Unexpected accents
Tilda Swinton and Cate Blanchett were among the festivalgoers who defied sartorial expectations with outfit-elevating accents. Swinton leaned into her signature style — simple yet chic — in a white dress and striking teal pumps by Alaïa.
Blanchett, on the other hand, looked sleek and refined in an Armani Privé jumpsuit. While the front was simplistic, Blanchett’s striking back — adorned with multiple strands of pearls — stole the show.
Fringe and feathers
Delicate details were the order of the day at the Venice Film Festival. Ratajkowski made a statement on the red carpet in a vintage Tom Ford-era Gucci gown featuring an ultra-plunging neckline, sheer panels, and tiered lines of green satin on the bodice. Cascading fringe detailing at the hem of the skirt added the perfect playfulness to the model’s Brat-coded gown.
Feathers were also a welcome guest on the red carpet: Angolan model Maria Borges appeared in a sequined, pale pink dress, accented with layers of delicate feathers.
