The Italians did not just run the festival, they also ruled the red carpet. This year there were more local designers than ever before, and jury president Annette Bening, as well as Rebecca Hall, set the tone by wearing Italian designers exclusively. Prada, Versace, Miu Miu and Armani were the three winners, with the latter also being favored by the men. Rebecca Hall’s stunning opening night dress looked like a piece borrowed from the Venice Art Biennale and was made by Armani Privé.

Atelier Versace was also a designer of choice. The fairest of them all? Without a doubt the beautiful Amal Clooney who paired her gown with Lorraine Schwartz earrings made of rare lavender jade, emeralds, and diamonds. Versace could also be seen on Matt Damon and wife Luciana Barroso and in its most bridal version on Penelope Cruz.

Some ladies had little choice: Kirsten Dunst, appearing in Woodshock, the debut feature from designing sisters Kate and Laura Mulleavy came, of course, in Rodarte. Chloe Sevigny, the director of one of the Miu Miu Women’s Tales, appeared in a black & white polka dot number by the maker who sponsors this series every year. And Octavia Spencer relied as always on her favorite, Tadashi Shoji.

The see-through look was clearly en vogue, and not everyone had the excuse of the hot and humid temperatures. Or of pulling it off. Amanda Seyfried, in Alexander McQueen, did: the day of her premiere (of the Paul Schrader film First Reformed) was by far the hottest. The prize for best dressed in Venice is a tie: Dame Helen Mirren looked wonderful wherever she went – from the Dolce & Gabbana-two-piece she wore to our HFPA reception to the gorgeous black & white embroidered premiere gown by Sassi Holford.

And Julianna Moore showed her immaculate sense of style on four occasions: the black beaded artsy mini for her interviews was a stunner as was the Prada chiffon dress for the photo call. And Valentino won twice when she wore a pink number to the Franco Sozzani Award ceremony and another one in black & white to the Suburbicon premiere.

Some colorful birds appeared on the sidelines: desperate to be noticed, a few no-names have never shied away from donning feathers, birdcages, and other crazy garbs. But then again, what would Venice be without a little carnival?