Cate Blanchett is breaking fashion’s cardinal rule at the 2020 Venice Film Festival this week. The actor, who is the festival’s jury president, is rewearing old gowns and for good reason.
On Wednesday, she hit the red carpet for the event’s opening ceremony in Venice, Italy, in an Esteban Cortazar “Stingray” midnight blue shimmer jersey gown from the designer’s spring ’16 collection and black suede heels. It’s not the first time she wore the ensemble either.
Long gone are the days when stars could wear beautiful designer dresses on the red carpet only once. Blanchett is proof that the old-fashion standard is slowly, but surely, coming to a halt.
“In her words, beautiful things can come out of sustainability!” she added.
In addition, Blanchett will be donating the dresses she wears, including the Esteban Cortazar gown, to the RAD at VENICE advocacy campaign. As part of the initiative, dresses will be auctioned off with 100% of the proceeds benefiting non-profit Facing History and Ourselves as well as UN Women.
“Cate has decided to re-wear some of her most cherished looks from the past and I am beyond honored to be part of this unforgettable moment and beautiful initiative, which gives a more profound purpose to the idea of the red carpet,” designer Cortazar wrote on Instagram.
Today, Blanchett repurposed another designer gown for the “Amants/Lovers” premiere red carpet. This time, she re-imagined the hand-embroidered Alexander McQueen dress, which she previously worn to the 2016 BAFTAs.
The outfit will also be donated to the fundraising campaign by RAD at Venice.
Other stars taking part in the charitable act is Tilda Swinton and Lotte Verbeek.