Hollywood stars—from Angelina Jolie to Cate Blanchett and Jenna Ortega— brought glamour and drama to Venice’s Lido island.
As expected from one of the film industry’s biggest events, the 81st Venice Film Festival kicked off the fall festival season in style this week, with premieres of anticipated new films like Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, Babygirl, and Maria, as well as the TV series Disclaimer. Also in the festival’s roster of films are Joker: Folie à Deux, Queer, Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter Two, Wolfs, among many others.
Organized by La Biennale di Venezia and running until September 7, the festival will showcase a selection of world-class films, and Venice’s Lido island is indeed the perfect venue for a host of star-studded events, as well as panels with filmmakers and actors.
Here are some of our favorite looks so far on the red carpet of the 81st Venice Film Festival. All photos from Getty Images.
Angelina Jolie
The Maria lead star is every bit the movie goddess that she is in custom Tamara Ralph (left) and Saint Laurent by Anthony Vaccarello, on August 29. On Thursday night, Jolie wept during an eight-minute standing ovation at the Sala Grande Theatre at the world premiere of her biographical drama on the Greek opera singer Maria Callas, which is directed by Pablo Larraín.
Cate Blanchett
A day after Jolie graced the red carpet, another film icon dazzled spectators with her custom Louis Vuitton (left) and Giorgio Armani. The award-winning actress is in Venice for the premiere of episodes 5 to 7 of the Apple TV series Disclaimer, where she stars as acclaimed journalist Catherine Ravenscroft. The series premieres on Apple TV+ on October 11.
Nicole Kidman
A perennial stunner, Kidman chose a stunning nude corset and velvet skirt from Schiaparelli Couture for the Babygirl red carpet (left) and an elegant linen-blend black dress from Bottega Veneta. The 57-year-old Aussie actress is in the charming Italian city for the premiere of her erotic drama, in which she admitted to feeling ‘vulnerable’ while filming multiple scenes of masturbation, plus a depiction of a submissive/dominant relationship.
Jenna Ortega, Winona Ryder, Monica Bellucci, and Catherine O’ Hara
The Beetlejuice Beetlejuice ladies hit the red carpet with matchy looks that that wouldn’t be out of place if worn by their characters on the big screen.
Ortega, a Dior ambassador, has been recreating looks from the original Beetlejuice film on her press tour, and she continued this with a Dior Haute Couture red tulle dress inspired by the wedding scene from the 1988 original that featured Ryder’s Lydia Deetz marrying Michael Keaton‘s titular character. Ortega, who plays Lydia’s daughter Astrid Deetz, paired the gown with accessories from Dior Joaillerie including a Bois de Rose necklace, bracelet, and rings in white gold, pink gold, and diamonds.
Meanwhile, Ryder walked down the red carpet in a Chanel Haute Couture ensemble that would fit her character, Lydia Deetz, perfectly. She paired the black silk tulle skirt with a fitted tuxedo jacket and vest with gold buttons.
Considered one of the most beautiful women in the world, Bellucci opted for a custom look by Vivienne Westwood for the festival’s opening ceremony. The Italian screen icon, who stars as Dolores, a one-time love interest of Beetlejuice, arrived with her filmmaker beau Burton, who came in a black Dior tuxedo. Bellucci finished off the ensemble with a Cartier necklace and Roger Vivier clutch.
One of the most eye-catching looks has to be the one worn by O’Hara who turned up in a custom Oscar de la Renta woven leather column gown embellished with floral designs and avant-garde pieces jutting out from the top. O’Hara, who reprises her role as Delia Deetz, accessorized the look with jewels by Cartier, a festival partner.
Taylor Russell
Russell is a member of the jury at this year’s Venice Film Festival, but her looks scream leading lady. On Aug 28 she dazzled the crowd with a breathtaking Chanel Spring/Summer 1993 couture (left), and the next day she stunned in custom Loewe. She paired both looks with jewelry from Tiffany & Co.
Jung Ho-yeon
The breakthrough star from the Netflix smash hit Squid Game co-stars with Blanchett in the Apple TV series Disclaimer. The Louis Vuitton ambassador donned a red embroidered silk bias-cut gown featuring a draped neckline and was paired with accessories from the luxury fashion house’s high jewelry collection including Galaxie Monogram earrings and two L’Elan Vital rings.
