The Venice Film Festival always offers a dose of old-world glamour. The actors make their way to the island of Lido di Venezia by gondola. They typically embrace classic Italian tailoring and, compared with Cannes, for instance, the festival’s dress code is relaxed enough to allow for creative interpretations of formal wear. Today, that sense of ease is a rarity on most red carpets, which are lately dominated by themed dressing and the celebrity one-upmanship of wearing a look from deep in a brand’s archives.
In Venice, the stars brought pussy bows, exaggerated collars and dresses with beads and sequins made to catch the light. A pair of sunglasses helped many give the impression of effortless cool. Some, like Phoebe Bridgers, were not afraid to break through the Hollywood veneer to share candids of the sweat stains on her Alexander McQueen gown.
Over a marathon of premieres, photo calls and red carpet appearances, celebrities like Robert Pattinson and Maggie Gyllenhaal seemed not to break a sweat while pulling off some of the festival’s most memorable looks.
Phoebe Bridgers
For her acting turn in “Primetime,” Bridgers went sheer and a little Edwardian in Alexander McQueen. (The look also involved sweat stains, which Bridgers shared on Instagram.)
Phoebe Waller-Bridge
The picture of ease and elegance, the British actor gave a lesson in how to wear billowy garments — like a silky, cream-colored Celine blouse with an exaggerated pussy bow — without being overwhelmed by them.
Furi Nanase and Rokka Okada
The child stars were like two exclamation points on the red carpet in tea-length dresses with youthful trimmings: tulle, paired with contrasting socks and pumps with an ankle strap; crafty appliqués; and lace-up heeled shoes.
Nicola Peltz Beckham
At a moment when many seem to be craving saturated color, Peltz Beckham delivered in a violet, drop-waist Balenciaga gown with a hood and cutouts.
Bhavitha Mandava
The model and Chanel ambassador cut the figure of a mermaid in a Chanel (of course) aqua blue gown with a flowing tail.
Chase Sui Wonders
The actor usually serves as the de facto brand ambassador for Anna Sui, the New York-based label founded by her aunt. At Venice, however, she wore a black Giorgio Armani column gown adorned with shimmering stones, channeling Audrey Hepburn with her choppy micro bangs.
Jonathan Bailey
The actor was committed to layering even in the warm weather, topping off his relaxed Armani tuxedo with a velvety scarf.
Ricky Martin
Martin was jaunty on the red carpet in a double-breasted Tom Ford suit and voluminous pants, punctuated with pointed-toe shoes.
John Malkovich
A clown collar? A Victorian ruff? A dog’s surgical cone? The pleated bib of Malkovich’s cream Dior shirt may remind you of any of these, but it is the chicest possible version of all of them.
Robert Pattinson
The prolific Pattinson — who is starring in four films this year — created the sense that he was not working too hard at all in this easy white pinstripe suit and patterned tie from Dior, all paired to brown potato shoes.
Javier Bardem and Penélope Cruz
The husband-and-wife duo (who play a husband-and-wife duo in their new film, “Bunker”) kept it classic in a tuxedo and red Chanel gown. The peplum detail and high leg slit on Cruz’s dress added just a touch of flair.
Maggie Gyllenhaal
If only all judges’ robes were this stylish. Gyllenhaal, who is heading up the jury at the film festival this year, looked stately in a dark, long-sleeved velvet gown with navy piping and a deep V from Armani Privé.
Zazie Beetz
The actor’s soft curls added even more romance to a Giorgio Armani strapless gown adorned with floral details. Cat-eye sunglasses balanced it out with some edge.
Rooney Mara and Kate Mara
Coordinated but not matching: This is how sisters have always preferred it. These two opted for different designers, Rooney in a custom Louis Vuitton gown with an exaggerated hemline of rosettes, Kate in a sparkling two-toned Armani Privé dress. But they still appeared on the same page.
Yola Mzizi contributed reporting.
The post The Most Stylish Looks From the Venice Film Festival So Far appeared first on New York Times.
