Today we kick off the fall film festival run. I always get excited for fall festival season which marks the unofficial kickoff of the race to the Oscars. The Venice Film Festival last year saw four major players in the awards season contenders whom won several Oscars amongst themselves. When it comes to fashion I have included a look from the Venice Film Festival on my Best Dressed of the Year list four times in the past, and honestly three of those four times have come from looks worn at the festival Opening Ceremony premiere. This year the festival is opening with The Truth by Hirokazu Koreeda which stars film icons Catherine Deneuve, Juliette Binoche, and Ethan Hawke. Could this be a Best Dressed of the Year worthy premiere? I could see it, but only if everyone brings their A-game.Despite her position as film royalty and her connection to some of the most iconic fashion houses in the world I have never before featured Catherine Deneuve on If I Was A Stylist before, but when it was announced that she was in the cast of the film opening the Venice Film Festival I decided that it was the perfect time to try. Of course before I made that decision I did look at the collections, and the archive of custom looks I have, to make sure that there were looks I felt worked for Catherine. I did find the right looks for her so I decided it was finally time. For the photocall and press conference before the films premiere I would love to see Catherine wearing this black pinstripe Louis Vuitton Cruise 2020 trench style button down dress which features a v-neckline. This dress is a chic and classic moment and that is what I typically think of when I think of Catherine’s style on the red carpet. Sometimes she tries to do something a little more out there, but her best looks come when she is more classic. This edgy take on business wear would be perfectly styled for a Venice Film Festival photocall is Catherine styled it with a pair of black Louis Vuitton ‘Urban Twist’ silver cap toe pointed toe pumps, easy waves, defined eyes, soft pink lips, and a pair of black Louis Vuitton ‘Plein Soleil’ cat eye sunglasses (for the boat ride to the photocall.) For the premiere I went the custom route with this petrol blue long sleeve gown which features crystal embellished embroidery of the bodice, poet sleeves, defined cuffs, belted waist, and a flared hem into a sweeping train inspired by the Louis Vuitton Fall 2019 RTW collection. I actually modified a custom gown I had in my archives that actually was an off the shoulder design, but I don’t see Catherine wearing an off the shoulder gown so I covered the shoulders, and it didn’t loose the magic I initially saw in the design so it definitely makes sense for Catherine to bring this design to life on the red carpet. A chic updo, winged eyes, dusty rose red lips, a black Louis Vuitton ‘Night Box’ epi leather clutch, a pair of Louis Vuitton ‘Madeleine crystal embellished logo broach detailed pointed toe pumps, and Boucheron diamond and sapphire cluster earrings would all round this look out in glamorous manner. When it comes to Best Dressed of the Year worthy moments I am definitely betting if anyone at the opening ceremony could make it happen it would be Juliette Binoche. She has had a low key year after serving on the jury at the Berlin Film Festival back in February. I am really excited to see what she will bring to the red carpet at the Venice Film Festival. She knows how to bring drama and glamour to the red carpet. For the photocall for The Truth I went feminine and fun, but structured and elegant with this Givenchy Fall 2019 RTW ensemble which features a red and black tweed double breasted structured shoulder blazer a black pleated tunic with ruffled detail on the neck, cuffs, and hem and a pair of matching ruffled cuff ankle length pants. I love Clare Waight Keller’s Givenchy and this look is definitely photocall ready. Juliette would definitely sell this look with her effortless ease. A sleek center parted low bun, defined eyes, rose pink lips, and a pair of black Gianvito Rossi ‘Kristi’ strappy pointed toe pumps would definitely make this a perfect photocall moment. For the premiere I decided to go the custom route for Juliette as well. I was actually searching for inspiration from Alexander McQueen for Scarlett Johansson to wear for her premiere in Venice when I found a navy long sleeve ruched draped jersey gown with a crystal neckline that I was instantaneously drawn to. I was also going back and forth on what I wanted to see Juliette wearing for this premiere, I was originally thinking custom Celine, but when I saw this gown I imagined it with a crystal embellished bodice and sleeves, and a sweeping train and it was immediately the perfect gown for Juliette to bring to life on this red carpet. It definitely screams glamour and elegance. A sleek updo, defined smokey eyes, bold red lips, a pair of chic but elegant black Alexander McQueen crystal embellished ankle strap sandals, and dazzling Chopard Red Carpet Collection diamond, emerald, and sapphire drop earrings would definitely make this an easy contender for Best of Venice and quite possibly Best Dressed of the Year.Rounding out this set of wishes is the beautiful Stacy Martin who is serving on this years Venice Film Festival jury. I want to see Stacy deliver a major run of fashion over the course of this festival. When I first heard that Stacy was going to be on this years jury I went through all my archives for runway and custom looks I would love to see her bring to life on the red carpet and created an 80 look “closet” to pull from. She will be included in almost all of my wishes as I don’t know how many premieres or events she will attend. I definitely think that Stacy is one of the more underrated style stars so I am really excited to see what this run as a juror will bring. Earlier this year Stacy actually served on the Cinéfondation jury at the Cannes Film Festival in which she mostly wore Louis Vuitton (both custom and runway) along with a Chanel Couture tea length gown and a Christian Dior Couture ballgown. Her fashion moments in Cannes, and honestly her Prada and Erdem moments on subsequent red carpets, have me really excited about what her Venice run will be. For the jury photocall at this years Venice Film Festival I would love to see Stacy wearing this blood orange red Chloe Resort 2020 knit calf length dress which features a high ribbed neckline, elbow length leg-o-mutton sleeves, a white floral print, thin ribbon wrapped sleeves, and buttoned side split. I definitely love this dress and I definitely think that it would fit Stacy’s style perfectly paired with loose waves, defined eyes, nude glossy lips, Gucci nude and red patent leather d’Orsay platform pumps detailed with spikes and bows, and a pair of Christian Dior ‘Newvolutes’ black and gold round sunglasses. For the Opening Ceremony premiere of The Truth I decided to go with this black feathered Christian Dior Fall 2019 Couture ballgown which featured a draped embroidered tulle asymmetrical one shoulder strap, and a sweetheart neckline bustier. Regular readers will note that I am not Maria Grazia Chuiri’s biggest fan, but I was really intrigued by the Fall 2019 Couture collection she sent down the steps at the iconic steps at the labels French Maison. This gown is definitely ready for a major film festival red carpet and I believe it fits Stacy’s style. Finish the look with a romantic bun updo, smokey eyes, dark antique rose pink lips, a pair of black Christian Dior ‘J’Adior’ dotted Swiss tulle and rhinestone embellished sling back pointed toe pumps, and dazzling Dior Haute Jewellery diamond and onyx chandelier earrings to make this a look that could very well also challenge for a spot on my Best of Venice list.

The 2019 Venice Film Festival will open on Wednesday August 28, 2019 and runs through Saturday September 7, 2019.