The best looks of the Venice Film Festival

The opening of the Venice International Film Festival is only a matter of time, but the new edition, the 80th, which will take place on the Venice Lido from 30 August to 9 September 2023, might be a little disappointing in terms of guests and red carpet glamour. The reason is the now infamous strike of the members of SAG-AFTRA, the US film and television actors' and radio artists' union, which has kept the Hollywood industry on tenterhooks since 13 July until today and seems to put events, premieres, awards ceremonies and festivals in danger in the coming weeks as well. In fact, only a few names of stars whose presence in Laguna has been confirmed are known. They include festival patron Caterina Murino, Adam Driver, Mads Mikkelsen, Jessica Chastain, Cailee Spaeny and Jacob Elordi, the lead couple in Sofia Coppola's latest film dedicated to Elvis and Priscilla Presley. The question many are asking is how the absence of the big names will affect the event and whether we will have to give up the parade of gorgeous, luxurious dresses we have become accustomed to over the years. How will we manage without Florence Pugh in Valentino, Lily-Rose Depp in Chanel or Zendaya in Balmain? The only solution? A look back at 10 of the many looks celebrities have chosen for Venice in recent years.

Taylor Russell in Balenciaga and Timothée Chalamet in Haider Ackermann, 2022

Taylor Russell made her red carpet debut at the 2022 Venice Film Festival. Together with her stylist Ryan Hastings, she opted for a green strapless dress with a bow at the neckline and opera gloves, Look 54 from Balenciaga by Demna's second haute couture collection. By her equally cool side was Timothée Chalamet in a red bare-back jumpsuit by Haider Ackermann.

Zendaya in Balmain, 2021

Zendaya's wet look moment on the Venice 2021 red carpet made history. The star, who is in the lagoon to present the film Dune, in which she stars alongside Timothée Chalamet, takes home the award for best-dressed celebrity thanks to this dress by Balmain, which hugs her body perfectly while being ultra-subtle. The stunning and very precious emerald and diamond necklace that lights up the outfit is by Bulgari.

Elodie in Versace, 2020

Three years ago, when Elodie showed up at the premiere of Daniele Luchetti's film Lacci alongside her then-boyfriend Marracash in a long silver metallic Versace dress, everyone thought, "Wow!" She was just perfect, in her look with a wide side slit that allowed a glimpse of her legs. Elodie's dress and her natural beauty were enough to make her more interesting than many other, far more famous stars who appeared on the same red carpet. That's why the choice of jewellery, just like the make-up, was subtle: earring, bracelets and ring from Messika's My Twin collection.

Lily-Rose Depp in Chanel, 2019

Lily-Rose Depp was an ethereal, subtle creature, appearing almost magically on the Venice Film Festival red carpet to attend the premiere of The King. Not many people remember the film, a kind of innovative reinterpretation of William Shakespeare's Henry V, which also stars Timmy Chalamet, while the actress' dress, a princely purple model by Chanel, is impossible to forget.

Tilda Swinton in Schiaparelli, 2018

Tilda Swinton never goes wrong with a look, at least almost. Many will remember her minimalist dresses from 2022, which she wore in dyed yellow in solidarity with Ukraine, but her most famous outfit among those she chose for her various appearances at the Venice Film Festival remains her eccentric one from 2018. This year, the actress wore a Schiaparelli Haute Couture Fall 2018 silk satin dress with a leopard print and glove sleeves and matching shoes.

Madonna in Vionnet and Miu Miu, 2011

Directing W.E., Madonna arrived at the festival in a vintage dress by Vionnet, Wallis Simpson's favourite designer (the subject of her film), which was covered in red butterflies, shapes and colours that were also reflected in her Miu Miu sunglasses. The result is still very cool today. It's no coincidence that they call the star Queen.

Scarlett Johansson, 2006

In 2006, Johansson landed in the lagoon to promote The Black Dalia. In keeping with De Palma's film, set in the 1940s, she chose a vintage look, but without reflecting the gritty femme-fatale mood of her character. The actress wore a simple retro white satin creation paired with a butterfly-shaped jewellery clip that made her look divine. 

Kate Hudson in Chanel, 2003

Cool maternity looks aren't just the preserve of Rihanna. Twenty years earlier, Kate Hudson was among the divas who introduced interesting outfits for pregnancy. in 2003, she walked the red carpet in Venice in a Chanel set that highlighted her baby bump.

Nicole Kidman, 1999

In 1999, Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman were still married and came to Laguna to present Stanley Kubrick's Eyes Wide Shut. At the time, they were one of Hollywood's most envied couples, although there were already rumours of their impending divorce. To counterbalance the rumours and scandals surrounding the film, Kidman chose a minimalist and sophisticated look, a pale pink silk strapless dress adorned with a cascade of necklaces. Really chic!

Sophia Loren in Dior, 1958

In the list of the best fashion moments of the Venice Film Festival, the most famous Italian diva cannot be left out: Sophia Loren. The actress attended the 1958 edition, where she won the Coppa Volpi for The Black Orchid, wearing a white square-neck dress by Marc Bohan for Dior. Still and always beautiful.