At the 81st Venice Film Festival, the red carpet seemed to turn back the clock to an era of old Hollywood glamour, reminiscent of the 1920s rather than 2024. Since Wednesday, attendees have been showcasing looks inspired by the golden age of Hollywood, with classic dress styles and vintage-inspired accessories taking center stage.
During the premiere of Pablo Larrian’s “Maria,” a biopic that explores the dramatic life of 20th-century soprano Maria Callas, Angelina Jolie appeared to embody her character in more ways than one. Jolie was seen in a custom-designed, nude-toned gown by Tamara Ralph, which she paired with a 1930s-style faux fur shrug, a golden rose-shaped brooch, and a bold deep red lipstick. This ensemble echoed the style of iconic Hollywood stars such as Marlene Dietrich, Joan Crawford, and Greta Garbo. The designer, Tamara Ralph, updated the look for modern sensibilities, transforming a classic accessory into a contemporary fashion statement.
Angelina Jolie wasn’t the only one at the “Maria” premiere channeling the glamour of bygone Hollywood icons. Taylor Russell graced the red carpet in a custom-made pale yellow silk crepon dress, complete with a matching scarf that flowed from the train of her dress. Designed by Loewe, this outfit featured a 1930s aesthetic, reminiscent of Marilyn Monroe’s look in the 1953 film “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes,” where Monroe’s fiery bejeweled gown was accentuated by an orange chiffon scarf. This trend of adding an extra length of fabric to a silk crepe dress was also seen in Coco Chanel’s Spring-Summer 1930 collection, further highlighting the timeless appeal of this fashion choice.
Isabelle Huppert, who serves as the jury president of this year’s festival, chose to take inspiration from a slightly later period for her appearance at the “Beetlejuice” premiere. British Vogue noted that her “pope red” opera coat drew inspiration from the 1950s theater scene. The coat was sourced from Balenciaga’s 50th couture collection, designed in 2021. Huppert’s ensemble was completed with white elbow-length gloves and stacks of Cartier bracelets on both wrists, making a bold fashion statement that nodded to mid-20th-century style.
Meanwhile, Chilean actress Mariana di Girolamo embraced a vintage silhouette for her red carpet look at the Venice Film Festival. She wore a black embellished Chanel cape dress to the screening of “El Jockey,” which paid homage to Chanel’s long history of creating dramatic evening capes. This classic yet modernized look featured a hint of sparkle, thanks to the intricately embroidered beads and sequins. Di Girolamo’s choice was both glamorous and understated, perfectly blending old-world charm with contemporary elegance.
These red carpet moments at the Venice Film Festival illustrate a valuable lesson that applies to both fashion and film: the past often holds treasures that continue to inspire and captivate. In many ways, the saying “old is gold” proves to be true, as the allure of vintage style remains timeless and influential.
