Venice Film Festival: The 25 best dresses of all time

Italian icon Gina Lollobrigida looked utterly fantastic in 1954 when she rocked up to the premiere of her new picture in a glitzy halter neck gown and a frothy white fur accessory.

Vintage star Linda Christian looked radiant in a white floor-length gown at the Kentucky Ball in 1955. The piece featured floral adornments around the sweetheart neckline and printed motifs.

Italian acting legend Sophia Loren was serving crisp elegance at a party held on the Lido in 1958. The star wore a white square-neck gown with a cinched-in waist and a dazzling brooch adornment.

Hollywood royalty Gwyneth Paltrow looked elegant in a sugar pink Prada gown featuring an oversized bow at the back of the neckline. She swept her hair in a soft side parting and wore rosy pink lipstick to match. 

Keira Knightley looked exquisite in 2011 when she opted for gilded Valentino. The star wore a long-sleeved semi-sheer gown with a delicate gold lace overlay.

Madonna brought a touch of vintage rockabilly glam to Venice in 2011 in a look by Miu Miu. The international pop star rocked a fluid lavender blue maxi adorned with vibrant butterflies and topped things off with a pair of glitzy cat-eye sunglasses.

Emma Stone's teal sequin moment in 2016 had a lavish, slightly 1920s, air about it. Her Versace gown caught the light perfectly and the razzle-dazzle spirit shone through.

Naomi Watts brought an embellishment injection to the red carpet in 2016 with her decadently decorated Elie Saab gown. The piece featured shimmery embroidered nature motifs and a dramatic thigh-high split.

Jennifer Lawrence looked picture perfect in 2017 when she wore a semi-sheer polka dot piece by Dior. The fitted bodice featured blooms which looked as though they had been crafted using a flower press and the effect was unforgettable.

Kirsten Dunst also championed polka dots in 2017, rocking a tiered maxi by Rodarte, a label she often favours, with a floral focal point.

Cate Blanchett looked cool as a cucumber in 2018 at the A Star is Born premiere. Clad in Armani Privé, the actress pulled off her deep velvet plunge and frothy feather sleeves with the utmost leading lady ease.

Oh what we'd give to have an occasion to wear a dress like this. Sporting Gucci, Natalie Portman was giving gilded glitz in 2018 in a shoulder-padded number with a sumptuous velvet waistband.

Maya Hawke was giving major mermaid vibes in 2020 when she rocked up at the Mainstream screening in a Versace showstopper. The attention to detail on this one is next level – the mirrored cut-out shapes are a particular highlight.

Another vote for Gucci glitz comes in the form of Dakota Johnson's dripping-in-crystals gown. The combination of the chain overlay and the pink teardrop gemstones adds texture, and those shoulder pads are unapologetically high octane.

Zendaya's wet-look moment in 2021 will go down in fashion history. From the skin-tight Balmain silhouette to the exquisite serpentine Buglari emerald around her neck, frankly, we're still reeling from the level of outfit drama.

Camila Mendes brought a sense of gothic glamour to the red carpet in 2022, sporting a beautiful, plunging gown by Armani Privé. The tiered tulle sleeves make for a powerful silhouette, and the stylish side cut-outs add a sense of balance.

In 2022, Gemma Chan looked dazzling in a silver sequin column-shape dress with bold floral appliqué. The actress kept her beauty look relatively pared back with an elegant updo and neutral tones to allow her Louis Vuitton glitz to take centre stage.

In amongst all that Don't Worry Darling drama, Florence Pugh attended the premiere in flawless head to toe Valentino couture.

The premiere of Memory earned an 8 minute standing ovation at the Film Festival, but we'd applaud this glorious Gucci number for longer. 

Now this is a red carpet moment. Isabelle opted for Balenciaga Resort for the premiere of Maestro.

Angelina Jolie captivated audiences at the 81st Venice Film Festival, delivering a performance that left a lasting impression. Starring as the legendary opera singer Maria Callas, Jolie's portrayal garnered not only critical acclaim but also a remarkable eight-minute standing ovation from the audience. Her appearance on the red carpet was equally unforgettable. Jolie stunned in a custom-designed Tamara Ralph couture gown, an ethereal creation in a soft blush cream. To complete her look, Jolie chose a pair of Aquazzura heels that added a modern touch to her ensemble, while the addition of a luxurious faux fur stole paid homage to Maria Callas’s signature style, subtly referencing the grandeur of the opera singer's world.