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    1. Style

    The hottest red carpet looks from the Venice Film Festival

    Penny Goldstone's avatar
    By Penny Goldstone
    Published 9 September 2021 In Features

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    (Image credit: Mondadori Portfolio/Archivio Marilla Sicilia/Marilla Sicilia)
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    I don't know about you, but I'm living for the IRL red carpet looks after months of digital events, and the 78th edition of the Venice Film Festival this week has not disappointed.

    A-listers such as Kristen Stewart (who is presenting her Princess Diana Spencer movie), Kirsten Dunst, Penelope Cruz, Cynthia Erivo, Jessica Chastain and Benedict Cumberbatch have descended on the glamourous Italian city to celebrate the proper return of films and events.

    For several days of premieres and daytime shows, they have naturally brought with them a whole accoutrement of designer wares, from chic Chanel suits to Armani Privé ballgowns.

    Penelope Cruz kicked things off on 1st September with a black and white Chanel ballgown - no surprise here, since she is a muse for the label and even walked Karl Lagerfeld's last show in March 2019.

    Since then, it's been a rotation of celebrities in their fabulous looks, from Tiffany Haddish in a monochrome Christian Siriano gown, to Jessica Chastain in a pale blue beaded Elie Saab dress and Helen Mirren in a turquoise sequin Dolce & Gabbana gown (the designer duo hosted a star-studded show just days previously).

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    I also loved Cynthia Erivo's showstopper of a silver Versace gown. We simply aren't worthy. Watch this space as we expect more celebrities to land in the romantic city, including Zendaya and Timothée Chalamet, who will be presenting their new movie, Dune.

    Also expected to pull out all the stops is Kristen Stewart, who landed in a tweed Chanel suit to present Spencer. She is also a fan of the Parisian label and is likely to wear a lot of their designs, though I'm hoping for a few choice vintage Princess Diana-inspired numbers such as the one she wore for the movie poster.

    Marie Claire Newsletter

    Celebrity news, beauty, fashion advice, and fascinating features, delivered straight to your inbox!

    By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

    Scroll down for the best looks from the Venice Film Festival 2021 red carpet.

    Jamie Lee Curtis

    Jamie Lee Curtis

    (Image credit: Barcroft Media via Getty Images)

    Maggie Gyllenhaal and Jake Gyllenhaal

    Maggie Gyllenhaal and Jake Gyllenhaal

    (Image credit: Mondadori Portfolio via Getty Im)

    Olivia Colman, Dakota Johnson and Maggie Gyllenhaal

    Olivia Colman, Dakota Johnson and Maggie Gyllenhaal

    (Image credit: WireImage)

    Penelope Cruz

    Penelope Cruz

    (Image credit: Getty Images)

    Sharon Stone in Dolce & Gabbana

    Sharon Stone in Dolce & Gabbana

    Maggie Gyllenhaal

    Maggie Gyllenhaal

    (Image credit: MARC PIASECKI/GETTY IMAGES)

    Gemma Chan in Oscar de la Renta

    Gemma Chan in Oscar de la Renta

    Rosamund Pike in Dior

    Rosamund Pike in Dior

    (Image credit: MARC PIASECKI/GETTY IMAGES)

    Zendaya in Balmain

    Zendaya in Balmain

    (Image credit: Barcroft Media via Getty Images)

    Kristen Stewart in Chanel

    Kristen Stewart in Chanel

    (Image credit: Barcroft Media via Getty Images)

    Tiffany Haddish in Christian Siriano

    Tiffany Haddish in Christian Siriano

    (Image credit: P. Lehman / Barcroft Studios / Future Publishing)

    Kirsten Dunst in Armani Privé

    Kirsten Dunst in Armani Privé

    (Image credit: Barcroft Media via Getty Images)

    Sophie Hunter and Benedict Cumberbatch

    Sophie Hunter and Benedict Cumberbatch

    (Image credit: Barcroft Media via Getty Images)

    Zoe Saldana in Dolce & Gabbana

    Zoe Saldana in Dolce & Gabbana

    (Image credit: Barcroft Media via Getty Images)

    Penelope Cruz in Chanel

    Penelope Cruz in Chanel

    (Image credit: P. Lehman)

    Cynthia Erivo in Versace

    Cynthia Erivo in Versace

    (Image credit: WireImage)

    Jessica Chastain in Elie Saab

    Jessica Chastain in Elie Saab

    Helen Mirren in Dolce & Gabbana

    Helen Mirren in Dolce & Gabbana

    (Image credit: Corbis via Getty Images)
    Penny Goldstone
    Penny Goldstone
    Social Links Navigation
    Contributing Fashion Editor

    Penny Goldstone is the Contributing Fashion Editor at Marie Claire UK. She writes about catwalk trends and the latest high street and Instagram sartorial must-haves. She also helms the Women Who Win franchise.

    She has worked in fashion for over 10 years, contributing to publications such as Cosmopolitan, Red, Good Housekeeping, and Stylist.

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