For most A-list movie stars, having any movie premiere at the Venice Film Festival would be enough excitement. But for Ayo Edebiri, she can really cash in on the thrills this week. Not only is it her first time attending the lauded, star-studded event, but she’s also marking the occasion by being a part of one of the buzziest and most-anticipated films of the whole festival.
Today, the star attended the official premiere for her new, Luca Guadagnino-directed film, After the Hunt, co-starring Julia Roberts, Andrew Garfield, and Chloë Sevigny. (Just a small, unknown cast—no pressure.)
“It’s pretty surreal,” Edebiri tells Vogue. “Venice is a truly beautiful city with such deep history, and the film festival is such a massive part of that, of course. To know that I’ve now gotten to be a part of that, even a little bit, with a project that I love so much and am so grateful to have been a part of, is really moving and humbling.”
Given this is such a momentous milestone for the star and a true narrative arc for her career, she knew she needed an exceptional red carpet look for the film debut. For the more formal premiere this evening, Edebiri and her go-to stylist Danielle Goldberg worked with Chanel to conjure up a striking gown that embodied true, Old Hollywood glamour—and not in a stuffy or tired way, but rather, articulating the energy of the most promising and in-demand new stars. “We went through archival images of Chanel couture shows, and this gown really felt like a moment we have been wanting to have,” says Goldberg.
The strapless, floor-length gown had draping in all the right places, with a cascading train and a asymmetric tiered waistline that was punctuated with bejeweled ruby buttons. “I love the ruby crystal encrusted buttons on the bodice of the gown,” says Goldberg. “It is a minimal detail that feels really special.”
Edebiri was immediately drawn to the design’s powerful color and shape. (It was certainly giving Venice-worthy movie star, after all.) “It’s hard to know where to start,” she says. “The Chanel team is so beyond talented. The dress took 270 hours to make, but even when the muslin was draped on me, you could feel how special it was and what a high level of craft went into it.”
It was not the only Chanel ensemble that Edebiri wore for her Venice debut, either. Earlier that day, for the film’s more casual photo call, she opted for a classic Chanel tweed suit in off-white. (Edebiri knows how to pull off a good suit: See her Golden Globes look this year, which made reference to her co-star Roberts.) This last one had modern detailing on it too, including an asymmetric, buttoned-up silhouette and tapered trousers.
Given new Chanel designer Matthieu Blazy will make his big debut for the French label in October, perhaps these timeless—but contemporary—looks are a hint at what’s to come from him. For now, one thing is for sure: If Ayo Edebiri makes a Venice Film Festival red carpet moment look this good, they need to start inviting her back every year from here on out—just because. We said so!
