A number of other stars joined Amanda Seyfried at the 2019 Shanghai International Film Festival Opening Ceremony on Saturday (June 15) in China.
Zhang Ziyi: The Asian actress took a slight departure from her signature princess ball gowns with this Ralph & Russo Spring 2017 Couture design. If I focus on the delicate charm of the floral embroidery, I can appreciate the dress. Otherwise, it just swallowed Zhang whole, between the oversize collar, pouf sleeves, and extravagant train. The diamond necklace, while gorgeously stellar, was too much here.
Gwei Lun-Mei: I love the chic ladylike refinement of this Chanel Pre-Fall 2019 sequin and tulle gown that was still edgy in its classic appeal thanks to the leather accents.
Shu Qi: The actress showed us two very different looks, beginning with a Miu Miu lavender tulle gown, glinting with a constellation of crystals. It was fine, except I can’t stop focusing on that distracting black wristband. The Louis Vuitton Resort 2020 outfit was the exact opposite of her first, trading girly charm for menswear-inspired edge. I almost like the LV better simply because it’s a shift from the expected. Did you have a preference?
Zhao Tao: As one of the festival judges, Zhao went for gold in this Christian Dior Spring 2019 Haute Couture design. The gold-leaf skirt was so elaborate that I could have done without the black wispy necktie on the sheer blouse.
Tong Liya: Eschewing all the voluptuous fabric we’ve seen in previous looks, Tong took a more streamlined approach in this Celine gown that wasn’t anything revolutionary but still reigned with simple elegance.
Du Juan: My guess is that she wore this Prada Fall 2018 dress partly inside-out so that more of the green tulle would be the focal point. Were it left to me, I would have gotten rid of the overlay entirely as it made the whole design seem amateur and unfinished at best.
Zhang Jingchu: As much as I love this stunning magenta-and-green Etro gown, Karolina Kurkova wore it so splendidly at Cannes that it wouldn’t have much chance to live up to those high standards. Here, it’s just a bit too much dress for the petite Zhang, as it puddles around her feet.
Tang Wei: Brown is a tough colour on the red carpet, and while I think Tang holds her own in this sweeping Valentino Spring 2019 Haute Couture bold-sleeve, parachute gown, I was craving a bit more sparkle in a stronger earring or bangle rather than that black clutch.
Hannah Quinlivan: The boxiness of this Valentino Pre-Fall 2019 fluffy tulle gown makes it a challenging silhouette. I notice the awkwardness of it more here on Hannah than when Thandie Newton wore the same dress.
Credit: Vogue.com, Gett & Sina
