2026 Venice Film Festival Celebrity Arrivals
The 2026 Venice Film Festival starts on Wednesday, and the first wave of celebrities has already begun arriving at the Hotel Excelsior on the Lido. With 11 days of premieres, photocalls and parties ahead of us, consider this the beginning of what will undoubtedly be a very busy fashion week.
Day One Arrivals
Armani Beauty ambassador Sydney Sweeney arrived in Venice, and I know the moment you saw this, you just knew it was an archival look. Mostly because her stylist Molly Dickson stays in the archives, but also because the lace, low waist and Bermuda shorts have early-2000s written all over them.
This Georges Chakra Spring 2003 Couture look centres around a sheer Chantilly lace halter top with a high frilled neckline. I love the delicacy of the lace and the way it wraps around the neck before falling across the body, leaving the sides exposed.
There is something very last-days-of-summer about the neutral palette, but the look loses me with the low-waisted sand silk taffeta Bermuda shorts, specifically that oversized belt. There is already enough detail between the lace and the volume of the shorts, and the look would have been much cleaner without it.
A sand-hued bag, tortoiseshell shades and Gianvito Rossi PVC Sofia mules completed her look.
Kendall Jenner has officially touched down in Venice, attending the festival in her role as an Armani Beauty global ambassador.
Her airport look was all about simplicity, with a cream sleeveless top and matching trousers providing the backdrop for the piece that immediately caught my attention: an oversized suede Chanel Resort 2027 weekender bag.
The size alone makes it a serious travel bag, but the suede, quilting, dark-brown leather trim and gold hardware make it far more appealing than your standard carry-on.
Kendall completed her look with The Row Stella leather slippers and Side Eye New York 223 Butler St sunglasses.
Laura Dern, who is in Venice to present George Clooney with his Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement during tonight’s opening ceremony, arrived wearing an Alaïa white shirt dress and black wide-leg trousers, with the flash of colour coming via her green Longchamp Le Smart L tote. The look sits firmly in relaxed arrival territory.
Kate Mara arrived ahead of the premiere of Werner Herzog’s Bucking Fastard, in which she stars alongside her sister Rooney Mara, Orlando Bloom and Domhnall Gleeson.
Her Max Mara Resort 2027 mini feels exactly like the kind of look we would associate with the actress. From the silhouette and length to the graphic print, this is all familiar territory for Kate, completed with Max Mara sunglasses and a Max Mara bag. I’m also glad she ditched the oversized bow from the runway styling. The dress has enough personality without it.
Pre-Festival Arrivals
Amal Clooney was among the first to arrive alongside George Clooney, who will receive the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement during Wednesday’s opening ceremony.
Considering Amal and Venice have given us some memorable fashion moments over the years, I’m excited to see what she has in store for us this time around.
Amal usually gives us summer hues during a festival that sits right at the tail end of the season, but on this rare occasion she opted for a darker palette in Tom Ford by Haider Ackermann Spring 2027.
The dark moss silk-satin low scoop-neck tank and micro shorts immediately reminded me of the micro shorts Charlize Theron wore during The Odyssey press tour in Paris. The matching blazer kept the look feeling pulled together without taking away from the relaxed arrival mood.
Oversized shades and a grey suede Tom Ford clutch completed her look. Sadly, there are no pictures of her shoes, but knowing Amal’s love for Aquazzura, I wouldn’t be surprised if a pair of the label’s strappy sandals completed the look.
Maggie Gyllenhaal, who is serving as president of the Venezia 83 Competition jury, surprised me by arriving not wearing black.
While Maggie manages to make black varied and interesting, I’m hoping this festival won’t be a total blackout. And this first Celine look is giving me hope.
I am majorly obsessed with the navy jacket, which is made distinctive by that oversized belt. Paired with loose white trousers and white flats, the look feels relaxed enough for an arrival while still having enough personality to make me eager to see where she goes next.
I’m very excited to see what Madame President will bring over the next 11 days. A Celine Le 17 bag completed her look.
Claire Foy arrived ahead of Wednesday’s world premiere of Danny Boyle’s Ink, in which she stars alongside Jack O’Connell and Guy Pearce. The film will officially open the festival.
The British actress surprised us with her exploration of new labels and styles under stylist Jonathan Huguet while promoting H Is for Hawk and Savage House so I’m curious to see whether she continues in that direction or reverts to something more classic for Venice.
Her first look delivered easy elegance courtesy of Bottega Veneta. The Cherry Thong sandals and Knot Aviator sunglasses kept everything looking super chic, with the burgundy Barbara bag adding the one richer note to an otherwise neutral look.
Rather than giving you multiple posts dedicated to arrivals, I’ll be updating this one as more celebrities make their way to Venice in the coming days.
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