The 5 Most Controversial Red Carpet Outfits at the Venice Festival 2024 – Photos

The 81st Venice International Film Festival, organized by La Biennale di Venezia, kicked off on August 28, 2024, at the Lido di Venezia and is set to end on September 7, 2024.

The festival’s mission is to enhance the appreciation and promotion of global cinema, recognizing it as both an art form and an industry, within a framework of freedom and dialogue.

Attendees of this prestigious event turned heads with their attire, drawing significant attention. From Catherine O’Hara to Angelina Jolie, here are five of the most talked-about red-carpet looks that generated controversy.

Nicole Kidman

The actress and film producer graced the red carpet at the premiere of her film “Babygirl,” where she unveiled a breathtaking two-tone gown from Schiaparelli’s Fall/Winter 2024 couture collection.

The sculptural dress showcased a sheer beige bodice adorned with gauzy, cloudlike layers along the strapless neckline. It was complemented by a ribbed corset that cinched her waist and flared out to create a striking hourglass silhouette.

As the bodice transitioned into the skirt, an inky black fabric took over, with the shift from beige to black highlighted by a cascade of black sequins and clear beads.

The contrast between the colors of the appliqués against the fabric was sharp, with small black sequins distributed throughout the beige bodice, adding to the gown’s intricate design.

Following her appearance at the event, social media buzzed with reactions, with some users voicing their disapproval of her outfit choice. “Nicole Kidman here, pictured in a dress designed for a much taller woman,” commented one X user.

Instagram users also weighed in with one writing, “That dress cinches her waist too much. She doesn’t look proportional…” Another curiously asked, “I love her and she’s gorgeous. I’m just trying to figure out the look of the dress. Is it supposed to appear like hip bones?”

While other people were too focused on how the dress looked on Nicole Kidman’s body, others complimented her. “Nicole has an amazing waist .. wow,” wrote one. Another stated, “So nice to [see] her out so beautiful.”

Taylor Russell

Taylor Russell made a stunning appearance at the premiere of “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” in a striking white gown from Chanel’s Spring/Summer 1993 couture collection.

The dress featured a sheer corset-style bodice with a translucent plastic overlay, providing an opaque effect. The bodice’s edges were highlighted with bold white lines, and the cups were adorned with abstract palm leaf designs.

The real drama of the ensemble came from the skirt, which had a long, bridal-like train that elegantly flowed behind her. The skirt maintained the sleek silhouette of the bodice but added a unique twist with a voluminous bubble skirt that resembled a pearly cloud.

The skirt was also embellished with the same leafy patterns on the bodice. Still, not many were impressed by the Canadian actress’s look at the Venice Film Festival. “The dress needs a taller woman; sorry!” penned one Instagram user.

Another commented, “She’s gorgeous, but unfortunately the dress is wearing her. I do love seeing stylists pull from the archives though!” Someone else said, “When you should have said NO to the dress..” “Fire the stylist!” one suggested.

But other online users seemed to love Russell’s outfit with one writing, “I love the dress they made for Taylor, the corset material adds more flair.” “Best dress for Venice Film Festival,” added another.

Angelina Jolie

Angelina Jolie, who received an eight-minute standing ovation for her new film “Maria,” wore an elegant and sophisticated ensemble on the red carpet. Her dress featured a soft, champagne-colored fabric draping beautifully to create a timeless and classic look.

She stunned in the strapless, figure-hugging gown, which cascaded into a floor-length skirt with subtle pleats. The actress paired the dress with a luxurious fur stole draped over her shoulders, adding an extra layer of glamour and old Hollywood charm.

The fur wrap was a light, neutral tone that complemented the softness of the get-up, creating a harmonious and understated color palette. While best known for her signature brown hair, Jolie opted for a blonde look this time. However, online users weren’t impressed by her choice of hair color or outfit for the event.

One user said, “This blond and dress color make her look plain and pale.” Another remarked, “90+ degrees and in a fur wrap?” Meanwhile, others were in awe of Jolie’s beauty instead. “Still the prettiest woman,” wrote one. “What a gorgeous woman. She is flawless,” added another.

Catherine O’Hara

Catherine O’Hara also attended the “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” premiere at the Venice Film Festival, where she wore a custom woven leather gown. The dress had a sleek column silhouette, closely hugging her figure, and featured intricate woven detailing in black.

The standout element of the outfit was the dramatic off-shoulder flourishes, which extended from the bodice in artistic, tendril-like shapes, adding a bold, sculptural effect. Styled by Andrew Gelwicks, the look was sophisticated and unconventional, making a striking impression on the red carpet.

Even so, several online users pointed out that it didn’t look flattering. One person questioned, “Who [designed] the dress?” While one remarked, “Looks like she got caught in an unraveling of 80s cassette tapes.”

However, other people begged to differ, with one saying, “What a beautiful dress…Oscar de la Renta is unique!!!! [She] looks gorgeous.” Another gushed, “This dress is amazing!! One of the most unique and beautiful dresses I’ve seen. Catherine looks beautiful!!”

Emily Ratajkowski

Emily Ratajkowski stepped out for the premiere of the Italian drama “Battlefield,” wearing a vintage green gown from Gucci’s 2004 autumn/winter collection.

She captured attention on the red carpet by showcasing all the details of the Tom Ford design. The tiered dress was most notable for its vibrant green color, combining sheer fabric with glossy satin layers.

It featured a plunging neckline and fringed accents that flowed gracefully down the skirt as she walked. One X user commented, “Emily Ratajkowski in THE legendary dress of Gucci by Tom Ford Fall/Winter 2004 at Venice Film Festival.” Another said, “Too bad it’s wearing her.”

Someone else expressed, “Gorgeous but no on the dress – sorry but no.” One stated, “The dress looks defective in her waist?” Meanwhile, other social media users believed otherwise, with one remarking, “This is your dress!!” “Beautiful vintage dress. Green is my favorite color,” added another.

These daring fashion choices at the Venice Film Festival 2024 showcased the creativity and the boldness of the celebrities who donned them. The looks also sparked significant conversation and debate among fans and fashion critics alike. As always, the red carpet served as a platform for style expression and memorable moments that will be discussed for years.