Never one to shy from a daring look, Italian actress and model Beatrice Vendramin arrived at the ‘Frankenstein’ premiere in Venice, looking statuesque in a meticulously beaded gown that was both elegant and avant-garde.
Vendramin’s look was a masterful study in strategic reveal. The long, white gown, a striking choice against the red carpet, appeared to be crafted from thousands of tiny crystals or sequins, creating a mesmerizing, textured shimmer that caught the light with every move. The silhouette was sleek and form-fitting, accentuating her figure, but it was the cutouts that made the piece truly unforgettable. An inverted keyhole cutout at the bust and daring side cutouts that wrapped around her waist added a modern, edgy twist to the otherwise classic silhouette. This fearless design felt less like a simple dress and more like a second skin, a brilliant fusion of Hollywood glamour and contemporary fashion.
To complement the show-stopping dress, Vendramin opted for a more understated approach to accessories. A simple, yet stunning, diamond choker rested high on her neck, perfectly framing her collarbones and drawing attention to the intricate top of the gown. Her hands were adorned with delicate rings, their sparkle echoing the texture of her dress.
Beatrice Vendramin’s choice is a potent reminder that celebrity style can be a powerful tool for self-expression, blending classic beauty with modern, bold design.
Molly Sims, ever the chameleon, fused gothic romance with sculptural finesse for the premiere—a surprising (and stunning) choice that captivated onlookers.
Molly Sims’s ensemble was a lesson in dramatic elegance. The dress, a rich black lace, offered a stunning interplay of transparency and structure. The sheer, long sleeves and bodice revealed a meticulously constructed corset-like underlayer with visible boning, adding a vintage, almost Victorian, architectural feel to the look. The lower half of the gown contrasted this sharp silhouette with a voluminous, ruffled skirt, creating a sense of dynamic, untamed energy. The texture of the lace was prominent, adding depth and a tactile quality to the all-black outfit.
The styling choices were deliberate and impactful. She carried a sleek black clutch, its smooth leather a sharp counterpoint to the intricate lace. Her jewelry—a statement diamond choker and large, geometric diamond earrings—added a brilliant sparkle, perfectly placed to draw the eye upward and frame her face. The look was completed with a bold cocktail ring.
Sims herself exuded a powerful, poised attitude. Her hair was pulled back into a slicked-back bun, highlighting the dramatic earrings and the high neckline. Her makeup was clean and focused, with a subtle smokey eye and a confident smile that communicated a sense of effortless command. The atmosphere was electric, her presence on the red carpet a highlight of the evening. The contrast between the fragile lace and the strong, structured silhouette made for a truly memorable moment in celebrity fashion .
At the Venice Film Festival, Kaia Gerber and Lewis Pullman made their red carpet debut, with Gerber unveiling a custom Givenchy dress that masterfully fused gothic romance and classic elegance.
The first time I saw a black lace gown of this calibre—so unapologetically romantic, yet so sharp—it was in a Givenchy archive from the Hubert de Givenchy era. It was a piece designed to whisper, not scream, about its wearer’s inner world. Now, with Kaia Gerber’s look at the Venice Film Festival on September 1, 2025, that same spirit has been reanimated… and it is glorious.
The occasion was the premiere of The Testament of Ann Lee , where Gerber, alongside her co-star and partner Lewis Pullman, delivered a quiet masterclass in coordinated celebrity style . This wasn’t a look that fought for attention; it was a look that commanded respect through its sheer, delicate confidence.
The Outfit in Focus
Kaia’s gown, a stunning custom creation from Givenchy’s Fall 2025 collection by Sarah Burton, is a textural masterpiece. Crafted from a delicate black lace and embellished with a constellation of shimmering sequins, it strikes a balance between demure and daring. The silhouette is a study in classicism, with a boatneck neckline that feels lifted directly from a 1950s cinematic heroine, yet the skirt—an ethereal, semi-sheer tulle—cascades to the floor in a way that feels utterly modern and weightless. The transparency of the lace on the bodice and a subtle, high-waisted lining give the look a sensual edge, a nod to the quiet rebellion that defines a truly chic wardrobe.
Styling Cohesion
True to form, it’s the styling that elevates this from a beautiful dress to an iconic fashion moment. Kaia’s hair was pulled back into a simple, elegant bun, allowing the sculptural neckline of the dress to take center stage. Her makeup was clean and minimal, with a flawless complexion and a perfectly defined brow, a look that echoes the fresh-faced glamour of Italian actresses from the golden age.
Her accessories were a lesson in purposeful restraint. She carried a sleek, black Givenchy Fall 2025 bag that complemented the dress without distracting from it. On her feet, the choice of black Repetto Cendrillon pumps was a subtle, brilliant touch—a nod to the French heritage of the shoe, and a perfect parallel to the Givenchy’s Parisian roots. The final, unexpected flourish? A pair of Khaite x Oliver Peoples 1969C sunglasses, which she wore for a brief moment on the red carpet, a hint of nonchalant cool that brought the entire ensemble back to earth. “The look is audacious because it doesn’t need to be,” a friend and fellow fashion critic whispered to me. “It’s a look that says, ‘I am the moment, and I know it.’”
How to Channel Kaia’s Neo-Gothic Glamour
It is a difficult look to recreate, but the lessons are universal. You do not need a custom couture gown to borrow from this aesthetic.
- Embrace the Dark Romance: Look for pieces that use delicate materials like lace, mesh, or fine silk in deep, moody hues like black, charcoal, or midnight blue.
- A Modern Silhouette is Everything: The key here is to find a piece that is a study in contradictions—something with a classic neckline and a modern, fluid skirt, or an unexpected hint of sheerness.
- The Power of the Ballet Flat: As we’ve seen on the runway and now on the red carpet, the classic ballet pump is back and can be the perfect understated counterpoint to a powerful gown. It is a nod to elegance that never fades.
- Less is Truly More: When the outfit is this detailed, keep jewelry, hair, and makeup minimal. Let the dress (and you!) do the talking.
So, is this the definitive return to classic, unadulterated glamour, or just Kaia Gerber proving that a heritage dress, with the right styling, can still feel like the most revolutionary thing in the world? In Venice, at least, it was both.
