The Red Carpet Awards: Recapping the Fashion Hits and Misses From The Venice International Film Festival

The Venice International Film Festival welcomed a cavalcade of movie stars over the last week, drenching the fabled Italian city in Hollywood glamour. From the classic Chanel couture of Penelope Cruz through Cynthia Erivo’s signature avant-garde looks and festival best-dressed Dakota Johnson walking the red carpet as a silver Gucci goddess — not to mention JLo’s stunning, plunging mermaid gown — we’re handing out our own awards to all of our favourite (and some not-so-favourite) Venice looks below.

 

1. DAKOTA JOHNSON, 31: THE “GODDESS” AWARD

 

Attending the premiere of her film, The Lost Daughter, directed by Maggie Gyllenhaal, Johnson’s sheer, embellished Gucci gown with chain mail fringe set the best dressed bar for the Venice festival.

 

2. CYNTHIA ERIVO, 34: THE “AVANT-GARDE” AWARD

 

Known for her edgy glam and cutting-edge, red carpet choices, the actress and Venice Jury Member went with artsy galactic glam by Schiaparelli Haute Couture to the Dune premiere.

 

3. CHARLOTTE GAINSBOURG, 50: The “INSOUCIANT PARISIAN DISMISSAL OF AGE-APPROPRIATE HEMLINES” AWARD

 

The actress, chanteuse and second-generation fashion taste-maker opted for a kicky playsuit from Saint Laurent by Anthony Vaccarello and foxy knee-high boots for her new film, Sundown, co-starring Tim Roth.

 

4. PENELOPE CRUZ, 47: THE “RED CARPET VET” AWARD

 

In a tasselled Chanel Couture gown for the opening night screening of Pedro Almodovar’s Madres Paralelas, in which she stars, Cruz scores another point in her unbroken series of red carpet wins.

 

5. ANYA TAYLOR-JOY, 25: THE “BARBIE GOES TO VENICE” AWARD 

 

Attending the premier of her time-traveling thriller Last Night in Soho, the Gambit star, in her Dior gown and matching heels, looked like she’d been unwrapped from a Mattel package.

 

6. MAGGIE GYLLENHAAL, 43: THE “PRADA MISFIRE” AWARD

 

Spotting the celebrity in an odd, baffling, or Star Trek look by Prada has become something of a red carpet ritual. This year, it was Gyllenhaal. The esteemed actress arrived for the premiere of her directorial debut, The Lost Daughter, in a decidedly conservative gown.

 

7. KATE HUDSON, 42: THE “VALENTINO ALWAYS WINS” AWARD

 

The ultimate California Girl went with a bold and bright Chantilly lace and tulle gown from Valentino for the premiere of her fantasy thriller, Mona Lisa and the Blood Moon.

 

8. GRETA SCARANO, 35: THE “NO SMOKING” AWARD 

 

While channelling YSL’s 1970’s Le Smoking tuxedo has long been red carpet chic, Italian actress Greta Scarano’s boxy, full pleated trouser version by Dolce & Gabbana for the festival’s Filming Italy Movie Award fete looked like she’d borrowed it from an uncle.

 

9. HELEN MIRREN, 76: THE “FROZEN DAIQUIRI” AWARD

 

Draped in an ice blue sequin gown and over-coordinated accessories, right down to the hairband, Dame Mirren’s costume-y Dolce & Gabbana glam for opening night’s Madres Paralelas premiere looked like she’d escaped from the set of Frozen.

 

10. GRETA FERRO, 25: THE “MAMA MIA!” AWARD

 

The Italian model/actress hit the red carpet for the Madres Paralelas premiere in an Armani Privé dress that, coming and going, likely scored as many marriage, as movie, proposals.

 

11. J.LO, 52: THE “DIAMANTE DECOLLETE” AWARD

 

Everyone’s favourite Bronx babe arrived in a plunging Georges Hobeika mermaid gown for the premiere of The Last Duel with her favourite accessory, Ben Affleck, who also wrote the film with its star, Matt Damon. An appearance that marked the reunited duo’s first red carpet as a couple in more than 15 years.

 

12. KRISTEN STEWART, 31: THE “I ROLLED OUT OF BED LIKE THIS” AWARD

 

The Chanel brand ambassador arrived for her Diana biopic Spencer in a pistachio silk lace trimmed chemise and capris ensemble that looked plucked from the label’s lingerie line — right down to the bed-head tresses.

 

13. CHLOE ZHAO, 39: THE “I DON’T GIVE A F**K ABOUT RED CARPETS — OR HAIR DRESSERS” AWARD

 

The Oscar-winning director made her opening night appearance for the Madres Paralelas premiere in a messy ponytail and a prairie housewife dress by Armani that you just know she’s wearing running shoes under.

 

14. JESSICA CHASTAIN, 44: THE “RED CARPET RED” AWARD

 

Promoting her new HBO series Scenes From a Marriage, co-starring Oscar Isaac, the actress walked the red carpet in a beaded Atelier Versace animal print strapless dress and Chopard diamonds. #Classic 

 

15. SARAH GADON, 34: The “FABULOUS IN FEATHERS” AWARD   

 

Swathed in jet sequins and feathers by Alexandre Vauthier Haute Couture, the Canadian actress and Venice jury member nailed Hollywood glamour for the Dune screening.

 

16. JAMIE LEE CURTIS, 62: THE “CAT’S MEOW” AWARD

 

In town to accept Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement award — and to promote Halloween Kills, the latest instalment of the horror franchise in which she first starred in 1978 — Curtis invoked another big cat in her red leopard gown from Dolce & Gabbana.

 

17. MADISIN RIAN: THE “BALD IS BEAUTIFUL” AWARD

 

The face of Armani Beauty mined the designer’s archives for the 2005 gown she wore to the opening night screening of Madres Paralelas.

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