Opening Ceremony Glamour at the Red Sea International Film Festival

The 2024 Red Sea International Film Festival opened on Thursday in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and the red carpet offered a mix of elegance, drama, and the occasional puzzling choice. From heavenly couture to subdued understatements, here’s the rundown of the rest of the night’s standout looks.

A vision in white

Where do you even start with Jasmine Tookes? The model looked like an ethereal angel in her draped, one-shoulder Nicholas Oakwell Couture white gown. To say this fit like a glove doesn’t do it justice—it’s more like couture perfection poured onto her. This was a moment that took my breath away. Every angle, every fold, every detail—sensational.

Oscar Déjà Renta

Bollywood icon Kareena Kapoor graced the red carpet in a purple Oscar de la Renta gown that instantly recalls Kerry Washington’s look from this year’s Met Gala. The shared hue, lush fabric, and intricate floral appliqués create an undeniable connection between the two ensembles. Aside from the differences in style, where Kareena sets herself apart is with the addition of a purple veil. While it’s undoubtedly dramatic, I’m torn. That said, the veil does lend a theatrical flair that complements Kareena’s star power. It’s an audacious choice, and while comparisons to Kerry are inevitable, Kareena holds her own in this déjà Renta moment.

Gold lamé, or lame?

Eva Longoria wore a custom Marmar Halim gold lamé off-shoulder gown, crafted by the same designer who dressed Catherine Zeta-Jones for this event. You can see the shared DNA in the twisted detailing and sculptural silhouette. I’ll admit, I wasn’t immediately captivated by this look as I saw the picture below first. But in the right pose and lighting, it begins to reveal its elegance—it’s a gown that demands patience to fully appreciate.

Golden goddess in Taller Marmo

Minnie Driver also brought golden glamour in a Taller Marmo Ubud gown drenched in striped sequins. The flowy single-arm design paired with the elegant scarf detail made this feel perfect for the occasion. It had a relaxed yet elevated vibe that felt utterly appropriate for the region and event.

Another black Balenciaga, but polished nonetheless

Michelle Yeoh wore a Balenciaga Spring 2025 black gown. Does she look good? Of course. But another black Balenciaga gown? It’s starting to feel repetitive. That said, her presentation elevated the dress far beyond the runway version.

Bold colours, but the silhouette missed the mark

Will Smith brought his signature flair in a boldly printed shirt and bold blue Valentino suit that reflects his personality. While the colour and pattern were on point, the silhouette gave off “grandpop” vibes. This was a missed opportunity to balance vibrancy with modern tailoring.

This? For An Opening Ceremony?

Georgina Rodriguez wore a dark green Alaïa studded long-sleeve draped sheer maxi dress that, despite its embellishments, felt underwhelming for an opening ceremony. With her access to endless options, this look felt like a letdown. And those beige shoes? A mismatch that didn’t help elevate the ensemble. Georgina has the potential to dominate every red carpet, but this wasn’t it.

Credit: Vogue.com / Getty

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