The best looks of the 2019 Venice Festival red carpet an impeccable show

With guests arriving at the historic Palazzo del Cinema by boat, onlookers have been treated to a display of elegant couture and designer evening wear.

Wednesday night marked Venice’s opening screening, an honor this year bestowed on French-Japanese production “The Truth.” The movie’s co-stars Catherine Deneuve and Juliette Binochet were among red carpet’s best-dressed, the former in a floor-length dress and sleeveless orange coat by Jean Paul Gaultier, and the latter in a beaded silver satin gown by Armani Privé.

But there were plenty of other winners from across the worlds of stage, screen and runway.

Model Martha Hunt stunned in a feathered bodice and high-slit sheer skirt by Alberta Ferretti, while actress Alessandra Mastronardi was every bit the festival hostess in a strapless tulle gown. Elsewhere, Brazilian model Isabeli Fontana, South African model Candice Swanepoel and Chinese actress Ni Ni all impressed in differing shades of gold.

And sophistication doesn’t have to mean dressing demurely — there were plenty of fashion statements on show, too. Supermodel Iman arrived in an eye-catching Valentino gown adorned with images of flowers and birds that seeped into a real feather trim. And Victoria’s Secret model Elsa Hosk turned heads in a figure-hugging halter neck dress by Etro, her midriff almost completely visible through a daring strapped front.

Thursday evening saw premieres for the much-anticipated “Ad Astra” and “Marriage Story,” with the stars of both movies turning up in style.

In particular, Scarlett Johansson impressed in a custom sequined gown by Celine, while Laura Dern looked elegant in a dark green embroidered Gucci dress.

There will be more red carpets — and many more fashion moments — to come between now and Sept. 7, when the festival wraps up. But true to form, it has been a glamorous start to the world’s oldest film festival.