FASHION

By Rebekah Clark

The Most Memorable Looks From The Venice Film Festival Red Carpet

Remember when Kate Hudson wore a bump-baring Chanel set in 2003?

Here are the most memorable fashion moments from the red carpets of the Venice Film Festival, through the years — VENICE, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 01: Bianca Balti attends the red carpet of the movie “Madres Paralelas” during the 78th Venice International Film Festival on September 01, 2021, in Venice, Italy. (Photo by Alessandra Benedetti – Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images)

The annual Venice Film Festival is one of the oldest festivals with a rich history both inside the theatre and on the red carpet. It’s where Salma Hayek was catapulted to worldwide fame with the premiere of Frida in 2002, where she chose to wear a sheer knee-length lace dress with bell sleeves and her tiny black thong just visible from underneath the fabric.

Then there was Kate Hudson who just a year later walked the red carpet in a bump-baring two-piece Chanel set to the premiere of Le Divorce. Yes, the actress walked so Rihanna could run. Throughout the years the French fashion house continued to reinvent the dress code in Venice with Keira Knightley wearing a perfectly prim and pretty blush strapless gown before Kristen Stewart opted for silky pants and a baby doll dress for the premiere of Spencer in 2021.

Lady Gaga made her debut in the film industry for A Star Is Born in the most fitting way; wearing a voluminous Valentino haute couture gown at the 2018 event. It would later prove to be just a prelude to her awards season style. And Zendaya in Balmain? She needs no introduction.

Ahead of the 2024 Venice International Film Festival, take a look back to the Lido of yore for the most memorable and iconic looks from the Venice Film Festival.