Regardless of whether it’s the start of a new fashion season — happy belated September, everyone! — or not, people are always talking about how fashion is so over. While this discourse is hardly news, especially when it comes to New York Fashion Week (iykyk), The Devil Wears Fashion isn’t here to talk about the death of fashion. At least not this week.
Truth be told: I’m here for a roast. Not the VMAs’ red carpet, though I could easily do one of those, nor the Emmys, which I could also do. I’m here to talk about the fashion at the Venice Film Festival.
Contrary to what most people may think, some of the brightest minds in fashion do not believe that fashion fell short at this event. Gabriela, aka @blondiejpg, for instance, tells me that this year, she doesn’t think anyone missed the mark.
‘‘I’ve always said Cannes is where fashion takes center stage, while Venice is more about the film. At Cannes, it’s about showing up in a breathtaking gown that gets everyone talking for days. But at Venice, it’s a different vibe, you wear something elegant, understated, maybe a little sexy, but never something that outshines the film. This year, everyone seemed to get that. The looks were simple, subtle, and perfectly in tune with the spirit of the festival. Even though a few stars used the spotlight to support new creative directors at major fashion houses, it never overshadowed the focus of the event.’’
Gabriela is probably referring to Ayo Edebiri in Chanel, as well as Greta Lee and Mia Goth in Dior — very exciting pieces!
But when a gown or piece of clothing did overshadow the focus of the event it was not good. Case in point: actress Amanda Seyfried in a custom Prada gown. Fully embracing the coquette movement, the navy dress had oversized buttons running up the front to a strapless, bustier-style bodice, and a bright red bow at the chest.
According to @chaoswintour, the look “drowned her,’’ since it had too much fabric. ‘‘The contrast of red and blue doesn’t work here either as it’s very harsh. A tone on tone may have been better. The separation between the layers is not well defined,”@chaoswintour concludes.
For the fashion commentator, there was another ‘‘Prada tragedy’’ at the event, this time involving director and actress Greta Gerwig. Her outfit featured a fresh Prada shirt and floral skirt that in @chaoswintour gave a ‘‘suburban mom garden barbecue’’ vibe. ‘‘The shirt looks very unkempt and the quilted skirt adds a lot of bulk that does not suit Greta at all,” @chaoswintour explains further.
According to Keicia Shanta, the communications director at Magic City Fashion Week, Laura Dern missed the mark in her Armani Privé gown. ‘‘Dern could have done without the beaded poncho overlay over the gown. I really didn’t like the hair. I would have opted for an up do and her accessories would have been more minimal for a more refined look,’’ Shanta confesses.
Another look that disappointed Magic City Fashion Week’s communications director was actress Riley Keough’s Chloé outfit and Cartier jewelry. In Shanta’s words, ‘‘ her boho themed look was one that has been overly done and a complete miss for this major red carpet moment. Her look needed to be heavily edited, like more minimal jewelry, less ruffles, it was a lot going on.’’
What about you?Did you feel there were other looks that had a lot going on? Perhaps others that have missed the mark? Let me know in the comments!