Summer 2021’s red carpets were filled with neons and pastels, but this week celebrities went back to black, white, and silver. The Venice Film Festival was the destination of choice for fashion, and the competition for its best outfit was stiff. The grand style began with Penelope Cruz, who introduced her latest movie with Pedro Almodovar, Madres Paralelas, in a Chanel haute couture gown with flamenco flair on opening night. Black mikado with tiers of fabric flounces, the look delivered enough drama to compete with the spectacle on-screen.

A day later, Kristen Stewart provided an alternate view on Chanel, hitting up Spencer’s photocall in a black tweed jumpsuit with the shortest of shorts. The winning choice was playful, daring, and perfect for showing off Stewart’s long legs.

The festival’s best menswear moment came courtesy of Timothée Chalamet, who sailed into the premiere of his sci-fi epic Dune wearing an appropriately futuristic look by Haider Ackermann. Chalamet’s custom crewneck and trousers had a velvety texture and flecks of silver, a tactile combo that begged to be touched.

Custom pieces were an essential part of the fun. Standouts ranged from Zendaya in Balmain’s glossy latex column gown and 93-carats worth of Bulgari emeralds at Dune’s afterparty, to jury member Cynthia Erivo in sparkling Versace crystal mesh at the opening night festivities. Gucci devotee Dakota Johnson even brought the man behind her crystal fringed gown along for the evening, heading to the premiere of Maggie Gyllenhaal’s directorial debut, The Lost Daughter, with Alessandro Michele on her arm.



WHO: Kristen Stewart
WHAT: Chanel
WHERE: The 78th Venice International Film Festival
WHEN: September 3



WHO: Milena Smit
WHAT: Marine Serre
WHERE: The 78th Venice International Film Festival
WHEN: September 1



WHO: Timothée Chalamet
WHAT: Haider Ackermann
WHERE: The 78th Venice International Film Festival
WHEN: September 3



WHO: Emma Corrin
WHAT: Harris Reed
WHERE: GQ Men of the Year Awards
WHEN: September 1



WHO: Penelope Cruz
WHAT: Chanel Haute Couture
WHERE: The 78th Venice International Film Festival
WHEN: September 1



WHO: Sarah Paulson
WHAT: Alexandre Vauthier
WHERE: Impeachment: American Crime Story Screening
WHEN: September 1



WHO: Dakota Johnson
WHAT: Gucci
WHERE: The 78th Venice International Film Festival
WHEN: September 3



WHO: Cynthia Erivo
WHAT: Atelier Versace
WHERE: The 78th Venice International Film Festival Opening Ceremony
WHEN: September 1



WHO: Zendaya
WHAT: Balmain
WHERE: The 78th Venice International Film Festival
WHEN: September 3



WHO: Alexa Chung
WHAT: Victoria Beckham
WHERE: GQ Men of the Year Awards
WHEN: September 1