Kendall Jenner, Bianca Balti and Amal Clooney Lead the Best Looks From Venice Film Festival 2026

The 83rd Venice Film Festival opened its 10-day run on September 2 on the Lido, and one of the first looks to stop the red carpet belonged to Bianca Balti. The Italian model arrived at the opening ceremony in a pastel-pink gown with a sculptural, wing-like structure built into the shoulders and back, a dramatic silhouette that stood out even among a night full of eveningwear. The dress leaned into architectural volume rather than heavy embellishment, giving Balti's look a soft color paired with a sharp, engineered shape.

Balti's gown set the tone for an opening ceremony that favored dramatic construction over traditional red-carpet glamour. Stella Maxwell chose a sheer black lace gown with a cascading drape across the back, while Nina Dobrev appeared in archival Armani Privé and Zazie Beetz wore Giorgio Armani. Maggie Gyllenhaal, serving as jury president this year, changed into Celine for the evening after a tailored The Row suit earlier in the day, and Claire Foy, at Venice for the premiere of "Ink," wore a tailored look by Bottega Veneta with the brand's Jodie handbag and oversized sunglasses.

The earlier arrivals told a more relaxed story. Kendall Jenner, traveling to the festival in her role as an Armani Beauty global ambassador, wore a cream sleeveless top and matching tailored trousers finished with The Row's Stella leather slippers and Side Eye New York sunglasses. The look's centerpiece was an oversized suede Chanel Resort 2027 weekender bag in dark brown leather with quilting and gold hardware, a travel-first accessory that anchored her otherwise minimalist, slightly '90s-leaning outfit.

Amal Clooney, arriving alongside husband George Clooney ahead of his Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement, also opted for tailored separates instead of a gown. She wore a moss-toned silk-satin tank and micro shorts with a matching blazer from Tom Ford by Haider Ackermann's Spring 2027 collection, styled with Cartier jewelry and oversized sunglasses.

Sydney Sweeney, a returning Venice attendee and longtime Armani Beauty ambassador, drew attention for a daytime arrival look pairing a sheer, ruffle-trimmed lace halter top with tailored khaki Bermuda shorts. She was later seen separately in a simpler white strapless mini dress.

What emerges from the festival's first day is a split between two distinct fashion moods: loose, accessory-led travel dressing for daytime arrivals, and structured, statement-making eveningwear once the opening ceremony began. Balti's pink gown falls firmly into the latter category, and its sculptural shoulder and back detailing make it one of the most photographed looks of the night so far.

With the festival continuing through September 12 and major premieres still ahead — including "Bunker," starring Penélope Cruz and Javier Bardem, and "Primetime," starring Robert Pattinson — more red-carpet looks, and potentially more from Balti herself, are expected in the coming days.

Originally published on Fashion Times