Why Cate Blanchett Is Rewearing Her Old Gowns to the Venice Film Festival

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.

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When planning for any important event, make sure to look in your own closet first! Clothes are meant to be cherished and worn again and again. Even if you are a world-famous actress. Here are some past favorites from the Venice Film Festival that I wouldn’t mind seeing again! #cateblanchett in @giorgioarmani #sandrabullock in @j_mendel @jessicachastain in @eliesaabworld and #amandaseyfried in @alexandermcqueen

A post shared by Elizabeth Stewart 🐯🎈🈹🍸 (@elizabethstewart1) on Aug 31, 2020 at 9:34am PDT

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.

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Stunning #CateBlanchett re-wears the Esteban Cortazar “Stingray” midnight blue shimmer jersey gown from our Spring Summer 2016 collection, to the opening night of the 77th annual Venice Film Festival ❤️ . 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. Cate first wore this dress to the London movie première of Carol back in 2015. I am thrilled to partner with my dear @elizabethstewart1 and @radvocacy to donate this special look to the RAD at VENICE auction on @chic_relief to benefit @facinghistory and @unwomen . @facinghistory uses lessons of history to challenge teachers and their students to stand up to bigotry because we know education is an antidote to hate. @unwomen is a global champion for women and girls, established to accelerate progress on meeting their needs worldwide. ✨ . Please visit ChicRelief.com from September 23 – October 2 to bid on this and other looks from Venice. 100% of sales will be donated to these two benefitting organizations. Thank you for putting this all together @elizabethstewart1 @ariannephillips ✨❤️#EstebanCortazar #venicefilmfestival #radvocacy #FacingHistory #FinallyFacingHistory #GenerationEquality #cateblanchett

A post shared by Esteban Cortazar (@estebancortazarofficial) on Sep 3, 2020 at 8:25am PDT

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.