Who Wore It Worst? Venice Film Festival’s Biggest Fashion Disasters

Italian actress and model Ginevra Francesconi arrived at the Kineo Prize red carpet looking like a Roman statue brought to life—if Roman statues had transparent brown lace dresses and sky-high heels.

The ensemble hinted at ancestral glamour, though one can’t help imagining that a giant reel of pantyhose might have done just as much to turn heads—good or bad—at the Venice Film Festival.

Beyond that, the look was… well, memorable.

British actress Emilia Jones was there for the film premiere of Frankenstein, too, and managed to cross underwear that was hot during the American Civil War with lace so see-through that it does not even cast a shadow.

Then wear it to an avant-garde event in the 21st century and call it fashion—and still give you that “Hey, I am up here,” look.

Now, if you look to the right of her, in the photo, you’ll see the cameraman cradling his camera, not taking his photos. Wonder what he is thinking.

At least one netizen is wondering what Jones was thinking, as can be seen in the response to an update on Facebook, while the other (the update only had two comments) wrote “Schrechtlich. Peinlich,” which is German for “Illegal. Embarrassing.”

The message we got from the Heidi Klum and daughter duo at the La Grazia red carpet was: “This is how you do it, gal—let Momma show you.”

Both wore corseted numbers nodding to the 1850s. Heidi went for a nude-toned number with extra flourish in the fabric, while Leni—likely still new to the pomp—played it safe in black.

Way to go, Leni. May you make bolder choices at future Venice Film Festivals so we can have even more fun writing about them.

American actress Molly Sims appeared on the Frankenstein red carpet in a lacy dress that seemed to marry Chloë Sevigny’s ballerina/poison mushroom design with Romana Maggiora Vergano’s Victorian corset—both of whom were also in attendance.

The top half was conservative, stylish, and maybe even classy, with a nod to Vergano’s Victorian persuasion.

Then came the bottom half… which, like Sevigny’s, looked straight out of the mushroom family(forest fungi)—nature meets haute couture in the most confusing way.

Farhana Bodi hit the Den Sidste Viking red carpet in a dress that looked like it was pulled straight from an upholstery shop—and then sprinkled with “extra.”

The velvety sheen suited her, sure, but the massive tuft behind her right shoulder practically demanded its own Instagram account. Up front, a sharp edge towered above her head, pretending to be a rose.

Dear Farhana: does this come with an operator's manual, or are we all just supposed to guess how it works?

Shailene Woodley showed up at the Motor City premiere on August 30 in what can best be described as a disco-swimsuit-meets-evening-gown with a plunging neckline, a slit that could not decide if it was on the side or the front, and little left to the imagination’s mercy.

But instead of gasping at the outfit, the crowd fixated on Shailene herself. 

Critics tried to drag her, only to be drowned out by fans rushing to her defense with lines like, “We’re so used to actresses with their faces stretched tight by Botox that when we see someone who actually looks human, people attack her.”

In other words, her face won the red carpet, even if her dress couldn’t find its bearings.

Bangladeshi–Irish actress Maksuda Akhter clearly raided her craft box (and then some) for the Den Sidste Viking red carpet.

She appeared in a dress with a stiff, slightly uncomfortable-looking top and an asymmetric bottom sporting a front/side slit.

Fans, however, saw no issue—one even called her “irresistible,” proving that confidence can sometimes outshine even the quirkiest design choices.

Yeom Hye-Ran hit the Eojjeol Suga Eopda red carpet in a sleeveless black one-piece dress, accessorized with a dramatic bolt of turquoise lace draped over her right shoulder—because nothing says “I’m here” like wearable yardage.

She finished the look with a broad smile and a hand on her hip, clearly aware of the attention she was commanding.

Back home in South Korea, ChosunBiz called her “captivating” and said she received a barrage of flashes. Translation: She had passed the unwritten be-extra criteria of the Venice Film Festival.

Paris Jackson hit the Frankenstein premiere in what looked like leather… or pleather… or maybe a leather–spandex hybrid that is only okay to wear in Venice. 

Because it’s “art,” the neckline plunged far enough to put her tattoo collection on full display—ink she clearly considers part of the exhibit.

She paired the outfit with opera-length gloves and, in a power move, stacked her rings over them (miraculously, they fit). Toss in a diamond choker and voilà: Frankenstein’s bride, but make it fashion.

Even The Sun couldn’t resist gushing, praising the “striking Chakra tattoo” and her bling. We’ll just say the jewelry did more heavy lifting than the dress.

Suki Waterhouse hit the Broken English premiere in what looked like the world’s largest sequins.

The bottom half vaguely resembled a skirt; the top half… let’s just say the jury is still out.

She finished the look with black stockings and glossy platforms that practically demanded attention.

Netizens were dazzled: “That chainmail shimmer though,” one wrote. “Would you wear this off the red carpet?”