Tilda Swinton made a stunning entrance at the 81st Venice Film Festival on September 2, dressed in a custom Delpozo outfit inspired by 1950s fashion. Getty Images
The 81st Venice Film Festival, running from August 28 to September 7, 2024, has seen a notable resurgence of old Hollywood charm on its red carpet. This year, attendees have embraced timeless glamour, echoing the elegance of past eras with their fashion choices.
On August 29, Tilda Swinton arrived in Venice looking like a vision from the past. She stepped out of a Venetian water taxi in a custom navy Delpozo silk outfit that featured stylish capris, reminiscent of Audrey Hepburn’s iconic look. The outfit was a perfect blend of classic and contemporary, reflecting Swinton's unique style.
Angelina Jolie's faux fur shrug closely resembled those worn by Marlene Dietrich and Joan Crawford in the 1930s. Getty Images
The same day, Angelina Jolie graced the red carpet for the premiere of "Maria," a biopic about the renowned soprano Maria Callas. Jolie made headlines with her custom Tamara Ralph gown, which featured a nude tone and a 1930s-inspired faux fur shrug. The accessory, combined with a golden rose-shaped brooch and deep red lipstick, made Jolie’s look a nod to the glamour of old Hollywood starlets like Marlene Dietrich and Joan Crawford.
Taylor Russell's Loewe dress with a neck scarf gave a nod to old Hollywood style. Getty Images
Another highlight was Taylor Russell’s appearance at the "Maria" screening. Russell wore a pale yellow silk crepon dress with an attached neck scarf, a design from Loewe. Her outfit evoked the 1930s elegance seen in Marilyn Monroe’s iconic look from "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes." The flowing scarf and draped fabric were reminiscent of Coco Chanel’s 1930 Spring-Summer collection, adding a vintage touch to Russell’s ensemble.
Isabelle Huppert's Balenciaga opera coat was inspired by 1950s theatre fashion. Getty Images
Isabelle Huppert, who is serving as the festival’s jury president, chose a different era for her premiere look at "Beetlejuice." Her "pope red" opera coat, inspired by the 1950s theater-going fashion, was part of Balenciaga’s 50th couture collection. Huppert completed her ensemble with white elbow-length gloves and a stack of Cartier bracelets, creating a sophisticated and elegant appearance.
Chilean actress Mariana Di Girolamo also made a statement with her red carpet-choice. For the screening of "El Jockey," Di Girolamo wore a dramatic black Chanel cape dress, which showcased the house’s long history of designing evening capes. The dress was adorned with embroidered beads and sequins, blending classic design with modern flair.
Mariana Di Girolamo chose a striking cape-style dress, a classic design from Chanel that's been popular for nearly a hundred years. Getty Images
This year’s festival demonstrates that while fashion continuously evolves, the timeless elegance of past styles remains ever-popular. The revival of classic silhouettes and vintage-inspired accessories has brought a touch of old Hollywood glamour back to the red carpet, proving that sometimes, looking back can be just as stylish as moving forward.
