The Venice Film Festival has long occupied a legendary space on the global cultural calendar, celebrated for premiering major award-season contenders, launching high-profile directorial debuts, and bestowing the prestigious Golden Lion prize. Yet, beyond the hallowed screening rooms of the Lido, the festival is equally synonymous with iconic boat and airport arrivals, daring fashion choices, and an effortless underlying Italian elegance that sets the tone for the rest of the year. This year’s edition is proving to be no exception to that rule. Featuring a lineup of buzzy, highly anticipated films and a cadre of modern "it girls" who treat the world’s most photographed red carpets as their personal runways, the festival serves as an electric reminder of the magic of award season and the mounting anticipation leading up to the Oscars. Ultimately, the worlds of fashion and film remain forever intertwined, each feeding off the creative energy of the other.
Last year’s Venice Film Festival delivered a striking visual feast characterized by theatrical feathered moments, sharp tuxedo dresses, delicate lace, and a surprising abundance of mini dresses that subverted traditional black-tie expectations. This year, the sartorial conversation has evolved, giving rise to looks that have immediately captured the fashion industry’s attention and sparked global discourse. From dramatic leather opera gloves and newspaper-print motifs that evoke nostalgic memories of Carrie Bradshaw to ethereal sheer naked dresses and an iconic 1995 archival pull that dominated headlines, the red carpet has already established a high bar, with plenty more unforgettable moments still to come as the festival unfolds.
Kendall Jenner
Making a striking impression for her Venice Film Festival debut, supermodel Kendall Jenner turned to the fashion archives for inspiration, selecting a breathtaking piece from Giorgio Armani. Jenner stepped out in a sophisticated sleeveless dress adorned with intricate gold floral detailing, hailing directly from the Italian fashion house’s storied Fall/Winter 1995 collection. The archival pull highlighted a growing red-carpet trend toward vintage luxury, proving that timeless design only deepens in appreciation as decades pass. The gown gracefully bridged past eras of glamour with modern celebrity style, positioning Jenner as one of the standout fashion presences of the early festival days.
Mariacarla Boscono
For the high-profile premiere of Wild Horse Nine, veteran model Mariacarla Boscono leaned into conceptual and contemporary high fashion. Boscono chose an arresting look straight from Chanel’s Cruise 2026/27 collection. The gown immediately commanded attention with its bold newspaper-print motif, a clever nod to iconic print-heavy moments in fashion history. The dramatic dress was further elevated by cascading ruffled details throughout and delicate floral appliqué, creating a complex texture that balanced modern pop culture references with traditional haute couture craftsmanship.
Vittoria Ceretti
Italian supermodel Vittoria Ceretti brought a masterclass in classic, structured elegance to the festival circuit, representing her home country with effortless poise. Ceretti wore a sophisticated Armani creation defined by a sleek, black column skirt that elongated her silhouette, paired expertly with a sharply structured corseted top. The ensemble emphasized clean lines and traditional tailoring, offering a sophisticated contrast to some of the more avant-garde and experimental looks seen on the Lido this year, while cementing the enduring partnership between Italian supermodels and heritage Italian designers.
Levante
Italian singer-songwriter Levante offered a masterclass in romantic, ethereal transparency for her red-carpet appearance. Levante chose a mesmerizing, sheer, long-sleeved dress designed by Giorgio Armani, which was delicately embellished with subtle floral patterns throughout. The look struck a delicate balance between modesty and revelation, utilizing fine fabrics and meticulous detailing to create a soft, luminous effect under the flashing lights of the international press corps, further highlighting the versatility of Armani’s red-carpet offerings this season.
Carlotta Gamba
Proving that understated elegance can sometimes make the loudest statement, Italian actress Carlotta Gamba made a memorable entrance upon her arrival at the Venice Film Festival via water taxi. Eschewing heavy ballgowns for daytime photocalls, Gamba opted for a refined yet relaxed ensemble consisting of a crisp white button-down top paired with matching tailored trousers. To inject a touch of modern edge and personality into the minimalist base, she accessorized with a statement animal-print Fendi bag, demonstrating a keen eye for balancing classic wardrobe staples with bold accent pieces.
Claire Foy
For the eagerly awaited premiere of Ink, British actress Claire Foy embraced contemporary drama with a complete look from Balenciaga. Foy’s ensemble was defined by sharp tailoring and a dramatic silhouette, perfectly complemented by one of the season’s defining accessory trends: sleek opera gloves. The addition of the opera gloves brought an old-Hollywood theatricality to the avant-garde Balenciaga aesthetic, creating a powerful red-carpet moment that highlighted Foy’s willingness to experiment with bold, directional fashion choices on the international stage.
Rooney Mara
Known for her distinct and consistently sophisticated personal style, Rooney Mara attended the premiere of Bucking Fastard in a striking creation from Louis Vuitton. Mara wore a sleek black midi dress that featured a dramatic, flared trumpeted skirt, adding architectural interest and movement to her classic dark color palette. The understated yet impactful design allowed Mara’s signature elegance to take center stage, rounding out a diverse week of fashion that showcased everything from archival revivals and newspaper prints to razor-sharp tailoring and classic Hollywood glamour along the Venetian canals.
