The Most Iconic Red Carpet Looks in Venice Film Festival History

Zendaya smiles looking away from the camera wearing an emerald Bulgari necklace

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We're about to be treated to a whole lot of stellar red carpet outfits. First up, we have the Venice Film Festival, which begins on August 28 and runs through September 7. Also coming down the pike are the VMAs on September 11 and the Emmys on September 15. I'm waiting with bated breath for all the sure-to-be-amazing red carpet moments, but in the meantime, I decided to take a little walk down memory lane and revisit the most iconic looks from Venice.

My selections include a mix of avant-garde dresses and classically glamorous gowns from celebrities such as Anne Hathaway, Dakota Johnson, Zendaya, and Tessa Thompson. Oh, and I also threw in a daring menswear look for good measure. Scroll down to see my top picks for the most iconic red carpet moments in Venice Film Festival history.

Tessa Thompson wears a red hooded gown

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Tessa Thomspon stole the show in Elie Saab Haute Couture in 2022.

Zendaya wears a tan dress at the Venice Film Festival

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Zendaya wore a Balmain dress with Bulgari jewelry to the Venice Film Festival in 2021.

Brigitte Bardot waves at the camera from a boat at the Venice Film Festival

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Brigitte Bardot looked chic arriving to the festival in 1958.

Lady Gaga wears a pink feathery gown

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At the 2018 Venice Film Festival, Lady Gaga opted for a feathery concoction by Valentino.

Jodie Turner-Smith wears a colorful gown on the red carpet in Venice

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In 2022, Jodie Turner-Smith turned heads in a kaleidoscope of colors by Christopher John Rogers.

Kate Hudson wore a sheer crop top at the Venice Film Festival while pregnant

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Kate Hudson adorably bared her pregnant belly in Venice in 2003.

Timothee Chalamet wears a backless shirt at the Venice Film Festival

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Timothée Chalamet went backless at the 2022 Venice Film Festival.

Anne Hathaway and Meryl Streep pose on the red carpet in Venice

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Anne Hathaway and Meryl Streep coordinated in white for the 2006 premiere of The Devil Wears Prada.

Dakota Johnson wears a sheer gown with crystal fringe

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Dakota Johnson was dripping in Gucci crystals at the Venice Film Festival in 2021.

Cate Blanchett looks over her shoulder on the red carpet at the Venice Film Festival wearing a black gown

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Cate Blanchett wowed photographers at the festival wearing Armani Privé in 2018.

Mamie Van Doren poses at the Venice Film Festival in 1958

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Actress Mamie Van Doren looked like the epitome of glamour in 1958.

Associate Director, Fashion News

Erin got her start as a Who What Wear intern over 13 years ago—back when the site only published a single story per day. (Who What Wear has since increased that number twentyfold.) She graduated magna cum laude from USC, which is how she ended up moving to Los Angeles from her hometown of San Diego. In college, she also interned at Refinery29, where she was promoted to editorial assistant and then assistant editor. After nearly three years at R29, she came back to WWW in 2016, where she currently holds the title of Associate Director of Fashion News (as well as the unofficial title of resident royal expert—in case you haven't noticed her numerous Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton stories). She spends her days trying to incorporate her idols, Anna Wintour and Roger Federer, into as many stories as possible. Outside of work, she loves tennis, classic rock, traveling, and smothering her dog with affection.