Venice Film Festival’s Most Jaw-Dropping Looks Ever—You Won’t Believe Who Made the Cut, According to Bazaar Editors!

I’ll never get over how dreamily the silver silk of the dress hugs her—and the addition of the cascading beaded body necklace! Everything about this look feels so elevated and ahead of its time. It’s the most subtle of statements that still allowed her to shine. —Sarah Olivieri, senior designer

Before international film festivals became a hot spot for fashion stunts and archival pulls were a chance to flex your fashion knowledge, Scarlett Johansson wore this lovely vintage silk gown to a premiere in 2006. It’s one of my favorites: The vaguely Japanese nature of the silhouette is so lovely, from the wrap detailing down to the wide sash, and the embroidered cream silk looks incredible. —Camille Freestone, senior digital fashion writer

I remember seeing this look for the first time and thinking “Yes, this is it. This is fashion.” A year later, it still comes to mind when I think of amazing red carpet looks at the Venice Film Festival. I would even go so far as to say it trumps many of the other red carpet looks previously at the top of my list. —Zizi Strater, social media manager

Nowadays, it’s not uncommon for a celebrity to rock a baby bump on the red carpet—but back in the early aughts, Kate Hudson’s sheer maternity look was a bold move. The lilac gray two-piece set from Chanel’s Spring/Summer 2003 couture collection featured a halter-neck top and low-rise skirt with sparkling embellishments, feather trim, and sheer overlays. Absolutely perfect. —Sophie Want, weekend editor

When I picture red-carpet Dakota Johnson, I picture this look. It’s naked dressing, it’s fringed, it’s strong-shouldered, it’s everything. The look felt at home on the carpet five years ago, and I guarantee we’ll be seeing similar looks five years from now. —SO

Tilda Swinton looked radiant in a stylish yet understated dress by Haider Ackermann at the Venice Film Festival in 2015. Clearly, she was light-years ahead of the butter yellow trend to come years later. —Julie Tong, senior commerce content lead

When I first saw this look, I thought it was current. The retro lace trim? The ’20s-style sheath silhouette? The Art Deco belt? The toe pumps?! All very now. But the image is actually from 2005; Dunst was just ahead of her time. —CF

There are a few designer/star duos that never disappoint, and Chloë Sevigny in Simone Rocha is one of them. I love this ballet-pink set with loosely cascading bows. It’s feminine, it’s edgy, it’s unique, and it was the perfect look to kick off the festival last year. —Olivia Alcheck, senior designer

The colors in this gown are so good—I love how the darker pigeon purple and seafoam green in the ruffles pick up subtle tones in the gray chiffon of the dress. It looks slightly different in every single photo, which makes me think it must have been incredible to see in person. —Izzy Grinspan, digital director

I love an elegant gown with quiet drama, and this one was drenched in it: the slouchy strapless neckline flap, the long train, and the midnight-black fabric that looked almost metallic. Paired with the actor’s messy blonde hairdo and romantic soft-pink doll makeup, it’s just the perfect look in my eyes. It also very much seemed like her fashion audition to play Princess Diana in The Crown—a role which she mastered. —Rosa Sanchez, senior news editor

Jane Birkin is the queen of cool. The look she wore upon arrival to the film festival in 2009 looks like an old Armani ad. Her white linen shirt is perfectly oversized and looks great slouched just so. I love the way her belt cinches her too-big work pants cuffed to reveal Converse high-tops. —CF

Amal Clooney never fails a red-carpet moment, but at the 2024 Venice Film Festival, she showed up in a particularly winning look. Courtesy of Versace, her butter-yellow gown was at once soft and striking, with a long, sweeping train, delicate lace panels, and ruffles galore. —SW