Venice has always known how to turn an ending into a grand entrance. As summer begins to fade, the Venice International Film Festival offers one final celebration of the season—set against the lagoon and illuminated by cinema, camera flashes and international glamour.
For its 83rd edition, the Lido once again brought together Hollywood stars, European cinema and some of fashion’s most influential names. From water-taxi arrivals to premieres at the Sala Grande, Venice provided the perfect setting for summer’s final act.

As each premiere celebrated a new film and brought its cast into the spotlight, fashion created a narrative of its own on the red carpet. Black reaffirmed its timeless allure, while vintage designs from the fashion archives returned to the spotlight. Red and burgundy brought colour to the evening, while sheer fabrics, crystals and delicate appliqués defined some of the most striking looks. Oversized paillettes and shimmering embellishments placed texture centre stage, while white, ivory, nude and blush proved the quiet strength of a pale palette.

These were the defining fashion trends of the Venice 2026 red carpet.

Credits Luca Fez Photo

Credits Louis Legon

Black is always a good Idea

There is a reason black remains a red carpet classic. Timeless but never predictable, it lets silhou- ette and detail take centre stage. At Venice, it appeared in many forms, from clean, fitted lines to  bold, sculptural volumes, proving that even the most familiar colour can still surprise.

Credits Mateusz Pilesz

Amal Clooney led the way in a ruched Tom Ford gown by Haider Ackermann. Alma Noce’s Louis Vuitton look covered her shoulders and arms, while a central cutout drew attention to her midriff. Caylee Cowan chose a Milla Nova gown with a sweeping train; Maggie Gyllenhaal opted for the quiet elegance of velvet Armani Privé. Oumayma Elboumeshouli brought the drama with a fitted gown that opened into a striking sculptural skirt.

Back to archives

Fashion archives have a particular allure. They take us back to moments of great glamour, excep- tional craftsmanship and dresses made to be remembered. Yet their real charm lies in how fresh they can feel years later, especially when worn by someone who makes them her own.

Credits Colleen Stirtevant

Credits Ondine Goat

Kendall Jenner chose a gold floral Giorgio Armani gown from 1995, its clean silhouette letting the intricate embroidery take centre stage. Irina Shayk took a bolder route in a lace-up Dolce & Gabbana dress from 2003, its sheer lace panels adding a sense of drama without overwhelming the look. Two very different dresses, each proving that a great design can find a new life on the red carpet decades later.

The art of Sheer

Transparency took several forms at Venice, from a glimpse of skin beneath crystal-studded tulle to lace worn from neckline to hem. The most compelling looks gave the sheer fabric a purpose

Credits Colleen Stuarteant

within the dress, using it to shape the silhouette as much as to reveal it.
Vittoria Ceretti was the standout in custom Armani Privé. A fine layer of tulle scattered with dark crystals traced the neckline of her black velvet gown, making an already beautiful silhouette feel almost enchanting. Also from the archives, Stella Maxwell chose a black lace Elie Saab Haute Couture gown, with a long cape trailing behind her. Sofia Resing went for full brilliance in Zuhair Murad Couture, its sheer nude base covered in cascading crystal embellishment.

Texture & Sparkle

At Venice, some gowns made their impact through texture as much as colour or silhouette. Em- broidery gave one dress the shimmer of the sea; elsewhere, crystals and folds of fabric created an entirely different kind of spectacle.
Bhavitha Mandava’s Chanel Cruise 2027 gown was the closest thing to a mermaid emerging onto the red carpet. Its overlapping, iridescent sequins looked like scales, shifting through shades of blue and turquoise across the dress and its ruffled skirt. Vanessa Scalera brought volume to the group in Valentino, pairing black lace with a sweeping fuchsia skirt.

Credits Louis Legon

Pale Pwer

Credits Louis Legon

Pale shades brought a softer palette to Venice, but these looks were anything but quiet. From powder pink to ivory and pure white, their impact came through silhouette, texture and unex- pected details.
Bianca Balti turned fantasy into fashion in a custom Ilya Migmoon gown. The pale-pink satin corset, flowing train and dramatic white wings created an angelic look with a sculptural edge.

Oksana Bondarenko chose a fluid ivory halterneck gown, keeping the silhouette clean and effort- less. Linda Messerklinger wore Nueame, pairing wide-leg white trousers with a sheer nude top covered in three-dimensional white floral appliqués.

Credits Mateusz Pielesz

Credits Mateusz Pielesz

The men delivered their own share of red carpet spectacle, nowhere more clearly than at the pre- miere of Oasis: Don’t Look Back in Anger. Dressed in coordinated black looks, Liam and Noel Gallagher brought their unmistakable rock attitude to Venice, turning the arrival into one of the festival’s most memorable moments.

Credits Andrea Marcato

Across these trends, the strongest looks were those in which glamour never overwhelmed person- ality. Whether through archival design, sheer layers, sculptural texture or the power of a single colour, each guest found a different way to make the red carpet their own. Once again, Venice showed that alongside every cinematic premiere, fashion creates a narrative entirely of its own.

Enjoy even more @La Biennale di Venezia

Edit by @Aldy Thelax

Editor @Monaco Woman