Penélope Cruz is back on the Venice red carpet, and this time, she brought serious old-Hollywood heat. The actress stepped out for the premiere of “Bunker” in a striking red Chanel gown that instantly became one of the festival’s standout looks.
Penelope Cruz sets Venice Film Festival on fire in low-cut Chanel dress with a thigh-high slit
Penelope Cruz stuns in custom red Chanel gown with a dramatic thigh-high slit at Venice. Cruz wore a custom Chanel design inspired by the house’s Fall/Winter 2026 ready-to-wear collection. The floor-length gown featured a low, square-cut neckline and slim straps, fitted through a sleek, body-skimming silhouette. A fringed, feather-like trim wrapped around the natural waist, adding texture and movement to the otherwise streamlined design. A row of covered buttons ran down one hip toward a dramatic thigh-high slit, offering a bold flash of leg with every step down the carpet.
On the runway, the design was shown with a matching coat and knee-high boots, keeping the silhouette more covered. Cruz skipped the outerwear entirely for her red carpet version. She let the dress and its slit take center stage on their own.
For jewelry, Cruz turned to Chanel’s Reach for the Stars high jewelry collection. She wore the Sky’s the Limit Ring, featuring a fancy yellow emerald-cut diamond set within a halo of white pavé stones, paired with matching star-motif earrings from the same collection. Both pieces added noticeable sparkle without competing with the dress’s saturated red hue.
On her feet, Cruz chose Gianvito Rossi’s Gianvito pumps in a matching red. This kept the entire look monochromatic from head to toe. She finished the ensemble with soft, side-swept bangs and a fresh, glowing makeup look, letting the dress and jewelry carry the moment. Variety was among the outlets to capture the arrival. They shared photos of Cruz posing confidently for photographers on the red carpet. The look marks another major red carpet moment for Cruz this festival season, cementing her status as one of Chanel’s most reliable and consistently show-stopping red carpet ambassadors.