Tessa Thompson Is the Coolest Person on the Venice Film Festival Red Carpet

Tessa Thompson is breaking all the rules of traditional red-carpet dressing and leaning into her innovative sense of style.

While attending the Bardo premiere today, the Passing actress seemed to take some fashion inspiration from the 79th annual Venice International Film Festival's iconic red carpet. Her vibrant red minidress—hailing straight from Elie Saab's fall/winter 2022 couture collection—featured a sweeping hood extending from her waistline to around her shoulder. The piece also included a dramatic train that settled around her like a scarlet cloud.

Her accessories tied into the monochromatic palette via matching red tights, heeled pumps, and a mini box handbag.

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Thompson has been making sartorial waves since she arrived in Italy on Tuesday for the premier film festival.

For a previous red-carpet appearance, she pulled from Armani Privé's 2009 spring/summer couture collection for her abstract gown. The top half of the dress featured an iridescent silvery strapless bustier that flared out into rippled, structured tiers; meanwhile, the bottom half featured a slinky sheath skirt composed of glittering black fabric.

Thompson wore the statement piece with plain black Giuseppe Zanotti pumps. Accessories added a little more edge via a bedazzled silver chain choker necklace and narrow cat-eye shades.

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On Tuesday, she was photographed wearing a lacy printed mesh turtleneck top and matching cami dress in gold and black from Victoria Beckham. Underneath, she wore a black triangle bralette and fluid black pants. Her accessories included a mini handbag (baring Vivienne Westwood's signature plaid), slingback pumps from Anny Nord, and round sunglasses from LAPIMA.

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Later that same day, Thompson attended a cocktail party with Variety dressed as the anti-ballerina in a frilly black tulle midi skirt, black blazer with ruffled sleeves, and a black triangular bra. The all-black ensemble hailed from Rodarte's fall 2022 runway. She finished the look with more black accessories, from the big bow adorning her hair to her classic heeled pumps.

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As an associate editor at HarpersBAZAAR.com, Chelsey keeps a finger on the pulse on all things celeb news. She also writes on social movements, connecting with activists leading the fight on workers' rights, climate justice, and more. Offline, she’s probably spending too much time on TikTok, rewatching Emma (the 2020 version, of course), or buying yet another corset. 

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