Giorgio Armani Takes Over Venice Film Festival Opening Night

As we have come to expect during the Venice Film Festival, Giorgio Armani dressed a sizeable group of guests for opening night, including several of the house’s ambassadors. From classic tuxedos to shimmering gowns, there was plenty of variety within the Armani family.

Playing With Proportions

Jonathan Bailey, Giorgio Armani Global Fragrance Ambassador, wore a Giorgio Armani tuxedo that took a classic black-tie foundation in a more relaxed direction.

The double-breasted jacket is fairly traditional, but the barrel-shaped trousers change the proportions, while the velvet scarf adds another point of difference alongside the pleated white shirt and velvet bow tie.

I really like how those elements shift what could have been a standard tuxedo into something much more distinctive on Jonathan.

Less Is More

Nicholas Galitzine, Emporio Armani Global Fragrance Ambassador, wore an Emporio Armani look.

There is something refreshing about seeing menswear stripped back this far on the Venice red carpet. The decorative fastening at the collar gives the shirt its focal point, so a jacket really wasn’t necessary.

Ivory Advantage

Carlos Sainz Jr., Giorgio Armani I Will Spain Ambassador, wore a Giorgio Armani Made to Measure tuxedo.

The ivory dinner jacket was always going to stand out among the sea of black tuxedos, and the contrast with the black trousers, cummerbund and bow tie is classic for a reason. The fit is excellent, and this is exactly the type of traditional menswear that works beautifully in Venice. He just needs to work on his red carpet posing.

Silver Service

Joining Carlos was his partner, Rebecca Donaldson, who wore a strapless silver Giorgio Armani dress. The liquid effect of the embellishment, amplified by the fringe detailing, makes the column silhouette mesmerising. Bvlgari jewels completed her look.

Armani His Way

J Balvin, Giorgio Armani I Will US Ambassador, wore a Giorgio Armani suit, and naturally his interpretation of Armani tailoring was never going to be conventional.

The oversized double-breasted jacket and extremely wide trousers give the patterned suit its character. I know the trouser length will be divisive – there is a lot of fabric around those shoes – but in this case, it feels connected to the exaggerated proportions of the entire look and completely in tune with his style. I love how unmistakably him this feels.

Not My Fave

I’m usually a fan of Madisin Rian on this red carpet, but I struggled to get on board with the Armani Beauty Global Ambassador on this occasion. The issue for me with her Giorgio Armani dress is the bodice. The embellishments feels a little too busy.

Black Magic

Blanca Suárez, Armani Beauty Spain Ambassador, wore a black Giorgio Armani gown. The curved strapless neckline immediately gives the gown its identity, while the gentle shimmer stops the black column from feeling too simple for the occasion.

Romantic Armani

We all know Zazie Beetz as a bit of a fashion disruptor, so I was pleasantly surprised by this strapless Giorgio Armani gown covered in delicate embroidery.

The soft neutral colour works beautifully with the intricate surface detail, but it’s the black circular accent at the centre of the bodice that catches the eye. I also love her hair with this gown. It’s so much softer and fuller compared to her usual hairstyles, and it matched the moment perfectly.

From Another Era

I’m not sure if Nina Dobrev’s Giorgio Armani Privé gown is from the archives, but it certainly has the feel of a look from another era. I love the black sequinned column and sculpted neckline, but I would have liked this more without the green chiffon panels.

One Detail Too Many

Eugenia Silva is also usually a favourite of mine, but between the exaggerated side panels on her silver Giorgio Armani Privé dress and the diamond headpiece, which was one accessory too many for me, this was a disappointing outing.

Velvet Hour

Greta Scarano, co-host of the evening, wore a burgundy velvet Giorgio Armani Privé gown that proves sometimes you really don’t need much more than a beautiful fabric and a great silhouette. The deep burgundy velvet is gorgeous, while the ruching across the bodice gives the strapless neckline its defined shape.

Classic Black Tie

After several more adventurous menswear looks, Nicolas Maupas, co-host of the evening, kept things traditional in a Giorgio Armani tuxedo. The fit and proportions are exactly what I want from classic black tie.

A Little Sparkle

Miguel Ángel Silvestre went in the opposite direction with his all-black Giorgio Armani suit, featuring shimmering trim along the lapels and jacket edges.

It’s a small detail, but it completely changes the character of the suit, giving the all-black look just enough distinction for the Venice red carpet.

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