Jodie Turner-Smith Kicked Off the Venice Film Festival With Extreme Glamour

This year’s Venice Film Festival officially kicked off earlier this week, and in addition to stylish stars like Tessa Thompson and Cate Blanchett, actor Jodie Turner-Smith has been commanding the red carpet. It marks the White Noise star’s first time debuting a film at the festival—and it’s a special moment that’s not lost on her. “It’s long been a dream of mine to have a film in the Venice Film Festival, so when I heard that White Noise was going to open the festival this year, it was a dream come true,” says Turner-Smith, who adds that the Italian city hasn’t let her down. “Venice has exceeded all of my expectations so far—it’s such a beautiful and vibrant city. And to be here with a cast and crew of a movie that I love so much, is incredibly special.”

In her new film, which is an apocalyptic black comedy based on Don DeLillo s 1985 novel of the same name, Turner-Smith portrays Winnie Adams, a neuro-chemist who serves as a co-worker to Jack (Adam Driver). “When one gets the opportunity to audition for a Noah Baumbach film, you jump at the opportunity,” says Turner-Smith. She was so drawn to working with the director that, in fact, she auditioned without having a script to read. “I was aware of the novel, but I’d not yet read it,” she says. “The audition reflected that Winnie was an extremely intelligent woman (she does neurochemistry!) and that immediately intrigued me. With Adam [Driver] and Greta [Gerwig] starring in it, it seemed like a dream opportunity.”

Photo: Getty Images

For Turner-Smith, then, it was important for her appearances for the film to make just as big an impression. The star has certainly been delivering on the fashion front this week. She kicked things off for the film’s photo call yesterday in a pink chiffon Gucci dress with teal latex gloves and thigh-high boots. For the premiere, she changed into Gucci’s custom black chiffon and silk-organza gown, complete with crystal embroidery and a velvet hem. “I really wanted to play with a silhouette that felt unique,” says Turner-Smith. “I was inspired by many of the elements I saw come down the runway in Alessandro [Michele]’s Cosmogonie show, and I wanted this gown to feel like it belonged there. I also really wanted the colors to reflect the pan-African flag—red, black, and green— as a perfect statement about my pride in the African diaspora.”

The look, styled by Wayman + Micah, was one of Venice’s most glamorous thus far. The actor also wore the Italian label’s High Jewelry pieces, including a statement necklace in white gold, tsavorites, and diamonds. Makeup artist Sheikah Daley used Gucci Beauty products, while hair stylist Marcia Lee kept things sleek and pulled-back. “[I loved] the powerful colors, the intricate crystal detailing that made me glitter, and the silhouette, which was equal parts strong and sensual,” says Turner-Smith. “And that thigh high boot!” 

While Turner-Smith is far from done dressing up at Venice—she just appeared at the Bardo premiere in a multicolor gown just this evening—she will shortly be getting back to work on set. “Fall will be filled with work, which is a pleasure for me,” says Turner-Smith. “We have some really exciting festival premieres for White Noise in New York and London, the Gucci show in Milan, and then I’ll jump into promoting two more movies and a TV show. It’s going to be a busy end of the year, for sure!”

Below, a closer look inside Turner-Smith’s Venice Film Festival.