Red Carpet: A Couture Splash at Venice and Meh for TIFF
Friday, September 11, 2015 at 4:00PM 
Diane Kruger wears L-R: Oscar de la Renta, BOSS, Cushnie et Ocs, Prada
Jose here with a very important question: can you imagine deigning to be the film that plays in a theater where Diane Kruger is dressed looking like she always does? Not only does she usually make a case for being the one human being worthy of Best Cinematography awards, she must also distract fellow audience members who can't resist but admire her, rather than see whatever's happening onscreen. The exquisite fashionista has once again been leaving her mark at the Venice Film Festival where she's also serving as a Jury member. First she dazzles in bold Oscar de la Renta, then she's "boss" in BOSS (hardy har-har) and is so confident in the beauty of her dress that she doesn't even bother doing her hair (hats off!), then she lets her hair down in a stunning Cushnie et Ocs jumpsuit, and she finishes off in regal Prada which she wore to the premiere of Everest. Can we now start a campaign to have her be in every Jury for every film festival ever?
But Diane wasn't the only one giving fashiongasms in Venice! Another Jury member left me speechless. Find out who it is after the jump (and no, it's not Alfonso Cuarón...)
Elizabeth Banks in L-R: Marchesa, Elie Saab, Dolce & Gabbana, Andrew Gn
Elizabeth Banks continues her banner 2015 by being overwhelmingly gorgeous in every single gown she's donned for Venice. First up she brings va-va-voom in her classic Hollywood Marchesa dress. Next she stole the spotlight from Idris Elba by wearing a flowing florale Elie Saab to the premiere of Beasts of No Nation (kudos for picking theme dresses too...) For her very first red carpet appearance at the festival she wore a simple, but elegant Dolce & Gabbana to the premiere of Everest and she left her biggest mark so far in a bold Andrew Gn creation she wore to Black Mass. Having found myself obsessing over her 80s wardrobe in Love and Mercy I can now say Ms. Banks is definitely on a roll.
L-R: Vikander, Vega, Binoche, Cicogna
Continuing to prove my theory that she has never left a Renaissance fair gift shop empty handed, Alicia Vikander wore yet another Louis Vuitton costume that screamed Lilith Fair rather than red carpet. The Swedish beauty is often so lackluster in her public appearances that whenever I think of her as a permanent red carpet fixture this upcoming season I sigh from sadness.
Can someone get her in touch with whoever styled Felicity Jones last year? Earlier this year I spoke to Orizzonti Jury Member Paz Vega who told me how thrilled she was about having worked with Sarah Jessica Parker, and judging from this astonishing Ralph & Russo dress, Carrie Bradshaw rubbed her magic on her. Juliette Binoche was the epitome of a sensual screen siren in her Armani Prive with a custom plunging neckline that made her look like the movie star she is. Last but not least, and hopefully showing Alicia how to pull off Renaissance couture, Fiammetta Cicogna took our breaths away in an Alberta Ferretti creation that borrowed prints from Venetian palazzos. Swoon!
Watts and Portman in the nude!
Sadly, back in our continent, we were stuck with the eternally uninspired TIFF red carpet...why are stars so blase about fashion when in Canada? Sticking to the cute and elegant, but safe and oh-so-tired nude tones, we have Naomi Watts in an unfortunate Balmain situation, and Natalie Portman in a gorgeous Lanvin that gets the job done but looks a little too much like Drew Barrymore's astonishing Golden Globe dress from 2010. Where's that Lupita Nyong'o-in-white-Prada moment when we need it?
Which of these looks make you swoon, dear readers? Do you think nude tones should be banned from the red carpet for a while? What designer would you call to rescue Alicia Vikander? Share your savvy opinions in the comments.
Reader Comments (7)
Alicia Vikander looks like she has the potential to pull off risky numbers so I would say Alexander McQueen which has a great deal of safe and simple stuff but also risky and high-fashion when the occasion calls for it. I would also say Dior but hardly anyone is pulling off Dior these days.
(side-eye to Raf Simons even though he seems like a nice guy that I can have a coffee with.)
Elizabeth Banks has seen better days. I'm not fond of anything in that set up there.
Diane Kruger is on a whole different level than 90% of the women who hit the red carpet. I loooooove that Boss number even if I don't care for those shoes.
Diane Kruger was the best in show, her every appearance was a visual delight. I especially liked the Oscar de la Renta number, her style is always elegant, interesting, and classy.
I liked Elizabeth Banks as well, she showed both taste and thought to what she wore. The Andrew Gn was a pleasant surprise.
Sadly I agree with you about Vikander who is very hit and miss. Obviously after seeing "Man From Uncle" she can look striking with the right designs.
Binoche is still looking good, and always bringing a touch of elegance.
On TIFF fashion I beg to disagree, I seem to remember Keira Knightley and Benedict Cumberbatch bringing their A game last year. They looked great even in the middle of a rain & windstorm.
Early days yet at TIFF...
Finally! Someone other than the Clauses pulls off red velvet!
I honestly was loving the looks of Elizabeth Banks. Great post!
I like the Vikander set. Some of the others are really dreadful. I am dying for Jobs and Suffragette, and the film with Brie Larson, Room. I had a vision that a new women's era of film is being ushered in right now. Please rise up in peace.
Is it just me, or is Elizabeth Banks basically our blonde commercial answer to Parker Posey?
The elegance of Diane Kruger is really striking.
But I actually prefer Elizabeth Bank's looks because she so often chooses patterns and not just monochromatic gowns.