Venice International Film Festival opens with Almodovar premiere

Actress Milena Smit, star of Pedro Almodovar’s Madres Paralelas, is fashion’s latest star.

Upcoming actor and fashion muse Milena Smit, left, with Penelope Cruz on the Venice Film Festival red carpet. Picture: Getty Images

A new fashion star was born on the red carpet of the Venice International Film Festival.

Spanish actor Milena Smit hit the red carpet for the opening night film, Madres Paralelas (Parallel Mothers) by Pedro Almodovar, in which she stars alongside fellow Spaniard Penelope Cruz.

The film tells the story of two mothers-to-be of very different ages who meet and bond in a maternity ward.

Already considered Almodovar’s new muse, Smit wore a strikingly angular custom Balmain gown with squared shoulders.

It featured a black sequined panel at the front and a matte white back, collar and sleeves, while a slim sheer strip ran down her left side offering glimpses of her tattoos.

The sharp silhouette was counterbalanced by her hair, which was finished off with kiss curls around the face, a popular hair style in the 1930s, the same era of her film.

The overall effect was of an edgy elegance that will have fashion watchers awaiting her next move with microwave popcorn at the ready.

At the film’s premiere, Cruz matched her co-star in black and white, a Chanel haute couture gown with split skirt over a tulle petticoat with petal-effect trims.

With a few exceptions, the premiere event of the 78th festival was an underwhelming affair on the fashion front, missing the clout of a Tilda Swinton or Cate Blanchett, who both held court last year.

Helen Mirren shimmered in a sequined Dolce & Gabbana gown in an icy-blue hue, and carried a matching face mask while posing for photographers.

Adriana Lima wore a strapless raspberry sequined gown by Etro, while Cynthia Erivo opted for a white embellished Atelier Versace gown with cross-strapping over a plunging neckline. Others in attendance included Isabelle Huppert, Barbara Palvin and Sara Sampaio.

Lady Amelia Spencer and Lady Eliza Spencer were a polished double act at the event, ahead of the premiere of the film Spencer, starring Kristen Stewart as their late aunt Princess Diana.

The festival’s opening night marked a step towards near-normal for the event after last-year’s much scaled-down affair due to the pandemic.

This year, Covid-safe measures were still high on the agenda, including a wall screening the red carpet to stop fans gathering to watch celebrities.