Venice Film Festival 2018: The Very Best Red Carpet Looks
© Shutterstock The 75th annual Venice Film Festival is upon us, kick-starting the international carousel of red carpet style that will eventually take us right through into awards season, culminating at the Dolby Theatre in LA for next year's Oscar ceremony.
After a summer kicking back in exotic climes and relaxing on some of the most Instagrammable beaches imaginable, expect Hollywood's best and brightest to bring their fashion A-game to the Italian city, home to the world's oldest - and arguably most glamorous - film festival. Venice may not be as ostentatiously glitzy as Cannes, but it does often mark the starting blocks in the yearly Oscar race, ensuring that the festival can count upon some of the film world's most famous faces amongst its attendees. A strong showing at Venice can often put a film on track for future awards success: last year saw Guillermo del Toro's The Shape of Water earn the festival's prestigious Golden Lion, an early plaudit that helped pave the way for an eventual Best Picture win at the Academy Awards. The previous year, a Best Actress gong for Emma Stone at Venice presaged her eventual Oscar success for La La Land, too.
Amongst this year's most anticipated premieres are First Man, a Neil Armstrong biopic from La La Land director Damien Chazelle starring Ryan Gosling and The Crown’s Claire Foy, as well as Suspiria, a remake of the cult ‘70s horror by Luca Guadagnino that couldn’t be further from Call Me By Your Name. Bradley Cooper’s anticipated directorial debut A Star Is Born – with Lady Gaga in the lead role, no less – is also on the line-up, along with a new western from the Coen Brothers, but it’s The Favourite that’s really piqued our interest. Best described as a surreal black comedy set in the court of Queen Anne, it features a dream line-up of Emma Stone, Rachel Weisz and Olivia Colman, taking on yet another royal role.
We'll be bringing you the biggest red carpet talking points as they happen in the gallery below. Bring on the fashion escapism...
Naomi Watts
29/08/18: For her first photocall of the festival, Naomi wore an all-white ensemble from Giorgio Armani's Resort collection.
ShutterstockNaomi Watts
29/08/18: For her first photocall of the festival, Naomi wore an all-white ensemble from Giorgio Armani's Resort collection.
ShutterstockSusanne Bier
29/08/18: The Night Manager director and Venice jury member Susanne Bier wore a silk jumpsuit in green.
ShutterstockClaire Foy
29/08/18: Former The Crown star Claire wore a monochrome beaded design by Chanel at the photocall for her next film, First Man.
ShutterstockOlivia Hamilton
29/08/18: First Man actress Olivia wore a checked day dress in cornflower blue for the film's photocall.
ShutterstockNaomi Watts
29/08/18: For her first red carpet appearance at the opening gala, Naomi wore a tiered gown in fuschia pink by Armani Privé.
ShutterstockClemence Poesy
29/08/18: The French actress wore a classic style from Erdem's recent A/W'18 collection.
ShutterstockBarbara Palvin
29/08/18: The Victoria's Secret model wore a floral midi style from Armani Privé's spring couture collection.
ShutterstockGabriella Wilde
29/08/18: Poldark star Gabriella wore a simple, striking style by Russian couturier Ulyana Sergeenko, accessorised with a Jaeger-LeCoultre watch.
ShutterstockSara Sampaio
29/08/18: Sara channelled Classic Hollywood in this elegant Armani Privé design.
ShutterstockClaire Foy
29/08/18: Claire's Valentino ensemble is proof that the pink - red colour clash still reigns supreme. She paired her striking cape dress with a ring by Messika.
ShutterstockLottie Moss
29/08/18: Pink was clearly the standout colour of the night: Lottie Moss's custom Ermanno Scervino gown was in a similarly bold shade.
ShutterstockIzabel Goulart
29/08/18: Model Izabel wore a striking silver lamé gown from Alberta Ferretti's A/W'18 collection.
Charlotte LeBon
29/08/18: Actress Charlotte accessorised her Wedgewood-esque print suit with a watch by Jaeger-LeCoultre.
ShutterstockLady Gaga
31/08/18: Lady Gaga wore vintage Alaia for her first A Star Is Born photocall.
ShutterstockIrina Shayk
31/08/2018: Irina Shayk chose a dazzling Versace chain mail gown for the A Star Is Born premiere.
ShutterstockBarbara Palvin
31/08/2018: Barbara Palvin wore a simple, classic style by Armani Privé.
ShutterstockSara Sampaio
31/08/2018: Fellow VS model Sara also opted for Armani Privé for the occasion.
ShutterstockCate Blanchett
31/08/2018: Cate's red carpet ensemble (a feathered Armani Privé gown with Choupard jewellery) was typically showstopping.
ShutterstockLady Gaga
31/08/2018: Continuing a streak of wonderful, idiosyncratic fashion choices, Lady Gaga reigned over the red carpet in this feathered Valentino number.
ShutterstockChloe Grace Moretz
1/09/2018: Chloe arrived ahead of the Suspiria photocall wearing a colourful ensemble that featured a Simone Rocha blouse.
ShutterstockDakota Johnson
1/09/2018: Dakota's dreamy lace midi dress is by Dior.
ShutterstockMia Goth
1/09/2018: Mia Goth wore a chic, '60s style ensemble by Valentino for the Suspiria photo call.
ShutterstockTilda Swinton
1/09/2018: Tida's dramatic mustard yellow gown is by Haider Ackermann.
ShutterstockMia Goth
1/09/2018: Mia wore a Givenchy gown with cut out detailing and an embellished skirt for the Suspiria premiere.
ShutterstockCate Blanchett
1/09/2018: Cate's asymmetric gown with a sweeping metallic shoulder is by Armani Privé.
ShutterstockChloe Grace Moretz
1/09/2018: Chloe chose a playful printed style by Louis Vuitton for the Suspiria premiere.
ShutterstockDakota Johnson
1/09/2018: Dakota channelled classic Hollywood in a scarlet Dior gown.
ShutterstockNaomi Watts
1/09/2018: Naomi's embellished gown with sheer panelling is by Dior.
ShutterstockTilda Swinton
1/09/2018: Tilda wore a striking red gown with a ruffled collar by Haider Ackermann.
ShutterstockAlek Wek
1/09/2018: Supermodel Alek wore a simple but striking gown by Calvin Klein in palest coral.
ShutterstockDakota Johnson
1/09/2018: After her red carpet moment, Dakota changed into a dazzling Miu Miu gown for the Suspiria dinner.
ShutterstockChloe Grace Moretz
1/09/2018: Chloe changed into an all black ensemble for the Suspiria dinner.
ShutterstockBerenice Bejo
2/09/2018: Berenice Bejo wore an embellished mini dress by Miu Miu for the La Quietud photocall.
ShutterstockDakota Fanning
2/09/2018: Dakota Fanning wore a floral print slip dress for the Hello Apartment photocall.
4/09/2018: Dakota Fanning at the Jaeger-LeCoultre gala dinner.
4/09/2018: Stacy Martin in Chanel at the Vox Lux premiere.
4/09/2018: Natalie Portman in glittering Gucci on the red carpet at the Vox Lux premiere.
4/09/2018: Raffey Cassidy wearing Oscar De La Renta at the Vox Lux premiere.
4/09/2018: Sophie Lane Curtis at the Vox Lux premiere.