Venice Film Festival 2025 Opening Day in 45 Photos

From A-listers dripping in diamonds to unexpected arrivals that had fans gasping, these are the 45 jaw-dropping fashion moments you need to see.

Held from August 27 to September 6, the Venice International Film Festival kicked off its 82nd edition with a blazing parade of couture, elegance, and eyebrow-raising ensembles.

Directed by Alberto Barbera and organized by La Biennale di Venezia, the world's oldest — and often most unpredictable — film festival once again proved that fashion is just as headline-worthy as film.

From Heidi and Leni Klum's risqué matching gowns to Cate Blanchett's sculptural showstopper, stars brought their most daring looks to the red carpet — while others surprised in ways no one saw coming.

Heidi & Leni Klum

The German supermodel turned "America's Got Talent" judge made her much-anticipated return to the red carpet — but this time, she wasn't alone. At her side? Daughter Leni Klum, 20, and already a rising fashion darling in her own right.

The duo strutted the carpet in coordinated sheer-panel gowns that left little to the imagination. Heidi, 52, opted for a blush-toned number with draped satin and daring mesh cutouts, while her daughter's black version echoed the look with youthful edge and structure.

The reception online, however, skewed negative. One person wrote, "They both have amazing figures and these dresses somehow make them both look…smooshed. I don't like these at all."

Another questioned, "Why doesn't Heidi's dress fit? It's wrinkling at the top and squishing her breasts in too much."

A third added, "Why does Heidi insist on wearing stuff that's a fraction too tight? This being custom makes it even worse." Others went further, with one bluntly remarking, "Heidi looks pregnant!"

Cate Blanchett

Cate Blanchett, queen of red carpet reinvention, delivered high fashion meets high drama in a sculptural black gown with a plunging neckline that exuded power and polish.

Barbara Palvin

Hungarian beauty Barbara Palvin brought sultry elegance to the carpet in a black bustier gown complete with delicate spaghetti straps, sheer lace, and a daring thigh-high slit that had cameras clicking nonstop. Her look, finished with sheer tights and pointed heels, channeled a hint of Old Hollywood.

Francis Ford Coppola

Film royalty Francis Ford Coppola, 86, proved that style knows no age in a classic black tuxedo and navy bow tie, accented with a red lapel pin that oozed understated charm.

Tilda Swinton

Tilda Swinton delivered her signature avant-garde minimalism in a black-and-white ensemble that felt more like an architectural blueprint than a dress. With her platinum hair swept back, she proved that drama doesn't need sequins.

George & Amal Clooney

Meanwhile, George and Amal Clooney turned the Venice arrival into their own style parade, arriving by boat like a scene out of "The Talented Mr. Ripley."

Amal wowed in a pale yellow halter dress with a cinched waist, while George played it cool in cream trousers and tan loafers, leaving fans swooning.

One admirer declared, "She is so effortlessly glam. Love." Another summed up the couple's arrival as "Next level classiness."

One especially smitten fan wrote, "She is a unicorn to me. She's gorgeous with perfect hair, has impeccable style, she's educated and a mother. She's probably nice too. She makes him look ordinary."

Later that evening, the actor stunned in a navy suit, paired with a striped open-collar shirt and blue-tinted aviators.

Laura Dern

Laura Dern, ever the picture of daytime elegance, made a breezy arrival by boat in a crisp white blouse and floral skirt, cinched at the waist with daisy embellishments that added just the right amount of whimsy.

Billy Crudup

Billy Crudup kept it casual yet polished in a black suit over a dark gray polo shirt. He skipped the tie for a laid-back vibe, pairing the look with black loafers and aviator sunglasses for his arrival in Venice.

Julia Roberts

Meanwhile, Julia Roberts, 57, kept things quirky-cool for her arrival and was seen sporting a black-and-white cardigan adorned with Warhol-style faces, layered over shorts and sneakers for a look that was relaxed, rebellious, and very Julia.

Fernanda Torres

Brazilian actress Fernanda Torres glowed in a nude-toned sequin ensemble that shimmered from every angle. The sheer long-sleeved top and wide-leg pants showcased a rare mix of soft structure and sparkle.

Claire Holt

Claire Holt brought romance to the carpet in a deep burgundy gown with lace paneling, a draped back, and a dramatic train — a look that practically begged for a slow-motion entrance. Her diamond necklace and soft waves completed the show-stopping moment.

Adam Sandler

In a moment no one saw coming, Adam Sandler — yes, that Adam Sandler — stepped out in a black polo and pinstriped trousers, and the internet lost its mind when the king of cargo shorts embraced semiformal wear.

One amused fan wrote, "Woah look at this fancy dressed up boy over here," while another joked, "I didn't think he even owned real pants 🤣.”

The veteran actor paired his look with his trademark grin and a relaxed wave, proving once again that you can take the man out of the hoodie… but not out of his comfort zone.

Noomi Rapace

Swedish star Noomi Rapace brought serious fashion range with two standout looks — a dramatic black cut-out gown with silver bracelets for the evening, and a chocolate-toned tailored suit earlier in the day.

From sheer shocks to couture classics, the 2025 Venice Internationl Film Festival has already become one of the year's most talked-about style spectacles.

Whether delivering timeless grace or headline-grabbing boldness, each star brought their signature energy to the Lido — turning the red carpet into a battleground of beauty, risk, and reinvention.