One of the world’s most glamorous film festivals, the jewellery seen from the red carpets to the river taxis across Venice during its 76th edition was as visual a feast as the films that premiered there. Here, we break down the stand-out trends that emerged throughout the festivities, to provide perfect party-dressing inspiration into the new season.
The industrial qualities of chain link are the perfect leveller for high-octane eveningwear, adding youthful spirit and a certain strength. Either elevated with pavé diamonds as with Alessandra Mastronardi and the Arrivabene sisters’ Pomellato numbers, or Scarlett Johansson’s Ana Khouri earpiece, secured with a hulking diamond bolt, the look also works wonders in gold – as attested to by Ruth Negga in Beladora, Chiara Ferragni, and Kat Graham (also in Pomellato). Special mention also goes to the Italian rapper Ghali, who swapped in a Dior Homme necklace in place of a bow tie.
Read more: Iconic Vintage Images Of The Venice Film Festival
In the city of masquerade balls, choice Rococo accents of curlicue are well-placed. Molly Sims channelled the look on two occasions, adding drama to the the sweetness of her sugared almond-hued gowns with earrings by Anabela Chan and Brumani respectively. The floral style also lent a dynamic quality to graphic fashion looks, as seen with Candice Swanepoel’s diamond-encrusted initial pendant from Tabayer, Elsa Hosk in matching diamond plume rings by Messika, and Greta Ferro adding a touch of flamboyance to her sleek Armani trouser suit with diamond ears of corn by Messika.
It's reassuring to know that the grandeur only a matching megawatt necklace and earrings set can conjure is still alive and well in 2019. Making a regal statement in Bulgari emeralds and diamonds, Lady Kitty Spencer tempered the effect with a relaxed cascade of hair over one shoulder. Cristina Musacchio paired her bling – Atelier Swarovski’s irregular shapes – with a sleek centre-parting. The addition of a vintage Givenchy gold and crystal parure gave Candice Swanepoel’s mannish shirt the perfect dose of 1980s sex appeal, while Stacy Martin's pairing of David Morris diamond droplets with the crystal embroidered collar of a Louis Vuitton dress offered a thoroughly modern take on a classic.
Marking a slow retreat from the dominance of the single statement earring trend, the leading ladies of Venice wore their mega-watt shoulder dusters two at a time. Ancient Roman style was nodded to by both Cate Blanchett's Liz Works cameos and Zazie Beetz’s gold coin and pearl droplets, while more graphic motifs were championed by Alessandra Mastronardi in Armani Privé High Jewellery and Sofia Resing in Avakian diamonds. The red carpet is of course also the perfect place for serious rock formations: see Sienna Miller and Liv Tyler – both in sophisticated drops of emerald and amethyst by Bulgari – Zhong Chuxi’s Armani Privé High Jewellery clusters, and Juliette Binoche’s weighty stalactites.
The gorgeous harmony of fine jewels colour-matched to rich, jewel-tone fabrics has been the biggest statement of the festival. Surely the winner of the week in fabulous Valentino couture confection after fabulous Valentino couture confection, Iman took her stand-out blue look to the next level with Chopard’s sumptuous cluster of sapphires. Elsewhere, Isabeli Fontana layered gold on gold via Marco Bicego and Alberta Ferretti, Meryl Streep teamed Dinosaur Designs’ lapis lazuli with Givenchy’s printed cobalt silk, and Tina Kunakey delivered a perfectly-pitched statement by adding diamond and ziricote wood earrings from Messika to her feathered Armani. Each one a match made in heaven.
