The Venice Film Festival is in full swing, but it’s not the cinema that’s keeping us entertained. In its 78th year, cinephiles, pop-culture aficionados and fashion enthusiasts alike have been waiting in anticipation for the festival (and Venetian fashion)to return to its full glory following a restrained format in 2020.

Over 92 films were screened and showcased, including Maggie Gyllenhaal’s The Lost Daughter starring the perennially stylish Dakota Johnson and the highly anticipated Last Night In SoHo from Edgar Wright starring leading lady Anya Taylor-Joy to name a few. Suffice to say, there was an incredible lineup of flicks fighting it out for the Golden Lion.

The festival is one of the most prestigious and highly regarded festivals in the world and has undoubtedly inspired some iconic fashion moments. 20-year-old Sophia Loren stunned Venice in 1955, shocking the world at the time by revealing underarm hair — a pioneering moment for female beauty standards. In 2019, Lily-Rose Depp was a standout in Chanel Haute Couture for the premiere of The King.

If this year’s prize was judged on fashion alone, we’d have a few strong contenders.

Zendaya‘s custom Balmain leather couture gown is an obvious frontrunner. Emulating Botticelli’s The Birth Of Venus, Zendaya is the goddess with a nude leather dress crafted using an exact model of her bust, taking full advantage of the Balmain atelier and the house’s artisanal tradition.

The effervescent Anya Taylor-Joy channeled Marilyn Monroe à la Gentleman Prefers Blondes in a custom Dior fuchsia satin silk dress and matching beret. Norma Jeane who? Ahead of the red carpet the inimitable actress was spotted in Rodarte’s printed silk dress and robe. We’re calling it now, the effortless maxi slip in a bold print will be all the rage for spring dressing.

Another of our favourite looks is from none other than cool girl Dakota Johnson, whose nonchalant LA style stole the show in a full Gucci fit. Creative Director Alessandro Michele took to Instagram to share a photo of the silver and crystal gown, referencing Dakota as his ‘​​sweetest angel.’ Indeed Alessandro.

Whilst we’re awaiting the arrival of Lady Gaga, the undeniable queen of red carpet fashion, we’ve rounded up the very best Venice Film Festival fashion so far that will have you saying bellissimo!