The 2026 Venice Film Festival red carpet delivered a spectacular showcase of contemporary high jewellery, with international stars turning to iconic maisons for bold, sophisticated and highly individual styling. From Cartier’s legendary panther and newly introduced crocodile motifs to Bulgari’s Serpenti, Fancy Green diamonds, colourful gemstones, floral earrings and sculptural diamond chokers, the jewellery choices demonstrated the continuing power of exceptional craftsmanship to transform a red-carpet appearance.
Quick Summary
- The 2026 Venice Film Festival red carpet brought together an exceptional selection of high jewellery from leading international maisons.
- Irina Shayk paired an oversized diamond-encrusted choker with a striking emerald-cut solitaire, likely a blue sapphire.
- Pilar Fogliati combined colourful Pomellato earrings with a multicoloured high jewellery ring.
- Kendall Jenner and Vittoria Ceretti showcased sophisticated cushion-cut and emerald-cut earrings.
- Virna Toppi made a dramatic statement with Cartier’s iconic panther-inspired high jewellery.
- Benedetta Porcaroli wore a one-of-a-kind Cartier crocodile necklace inspired by the original 1975 creation for María Félix.
- Kasia Smutniak highlighted the continuing appeal of Fancy Green diamonds.
- Maggie Gyllenhaal selected Bulgari’s iconic Serpenti necklace in rose gold, natural diamonds and black onyx.
- Bhavitha Mandava and Georgina Rodriguez brought floral and petal-inspired jewellery to the red carpet.
The Most Striking Jewellery Spotted on the Venetian Red Carpet
Crocodile necklaces, leopard-inspired bracelets, floral earrings and foliage chokers: here are some of the most remarkable jewellery pieces spotted on the red carpet at the Venice Film Festival.
When Jewellery Transforms the Entire Look
“But wouldn’t a necklace look better?” It is the timeless phrase mothers never fail to utter when we are on our hundredth try-on, unable to decide what works and what deserves to be discarded. More than simple style advice, it feels almost like a gentle provocation. As though to say that, yes, we have dressed well, but adding something sparkling can redirect the eye, shifting attention from the outfit towards the jewellery and ultimately elevating the entire look. I doubt the stylists and jewellery houses at the 83rd Venice International Film Festival followed precisely the same reasoning for the festival’s stars, who have graced the red carpet in recent days and will continue to do so until September 12. Yet they have undoubtedly created jewellery looks inspired, as always, by the delicate equilibrium between individual elements — elements that need not carry equal weight, but which, when brought together, can achieve a precise and desirable balance.
High Jewellery Takes Centre Stage in Venice
And on this year’s Venetian red carpet, many of these creations were impossible to overlook. From statement necklaces paired with stud earrings to rings accompanied by pendants and chokers complemented by unforgettable solitaires, the stars showcased pieces of international high jewellery that had (almost) never been seen on a red carpet before. Alongside archival dresses — including those worn by Shayk, Toppi and Jenner — jewellery continues to establish a presence through contemporary collections, demonstrating how the modern design language of leading fashion houses can still create a harmonious dialogue with vintage pieces. After all, when American copywriter Frances Gerety created De Beers’ celebrated advertising slogan “A diamond is forever,” she was certainly onto something.
10 Jewellery Pieces That Defined the 2026 Venice Red Carpet
From diamond chokers to crocodile-inspired necklaces, these are 10 jewellery pieces that illuminated the premieres and became standout moments of the 2026 Venice Film Festival red carpet.
Oversized Choker and Blue-Stone Ring for Irina Shayk
Yes, Irina Shayk spared no expense. “More is more” appears to have been the aesthetic philosophy guiding her appearance at the Venice Film Festival red carpet. And who could blame her? Styled with her 2003 Dolce & Gabbana bondage-inspired sheath dress, the Russian model selected a maxi choker that resembled a flexible metal band, entirely covered in dazzling white stones. The dress had originally been presented with a very similar slogan-jewel inspired by Vivienne Westwood’s punk aesthetic, while Shayk opted for a more restrained interpretation, pairing the look with a striking emerald-cut solitaire, likely a blue sapphire, surrounded by a classic diamond halo setting.
Colourful Earrings and a Statement Ring for Pilar Fogliati
As a brand ambassador, Pilar Fogliati, working alongside her stylist Francesco Vavallo, delivered an unexpectedly sophisticated Pomellato jewellery combination: pendants and a ring drawn from two different collections. The earrings belong to the Serti Libre Collection, although their silhouette recalls the motifs of the historic Tango collection. Crafted in rose gold, their surface is richly embellished with ruby pavé, interrupted only by a central row of bar-cut pink gemstones arranged in a dégradé effect. The ring, meanwhile, comes from the brand’s high jewellery line and features a distinctive knot-inspired design. Also crafted in rose gold, its structure appears to weave together multicoloured tubular bands, created through gradient pavé and central stones, both cabochon and faceted, in shades of orange, fuchsia and blue.
Cushion-Cut Earrings for Kendall Jenner and Emerald-Cut Earrings for Vittoria Ceretti
Kendall Jenner and Vittoria Ceretti, both dressed in Armani, selected remarkably similar earrings in terms of their gemstone cuts. Jenner wore a cushion-cut design in yellow gold by Briony Raymond, while Ceretti chose an emerald-cut pair with a more intricate construction. The central stone is a faceted “mirror-effect” diamond, surrounded by a delicate setting accented by a black lacquer border. The design draws inspiration from the octagonal shape of Place Vendôme in Paris, which gives Boucheron’s Vendôme Liseré collection its name. Completing the design, the white gold earring hook features a vertical line of smaller brilliant-cut diamonds.
Cartier Panther-Motif Set for Virna Toppi
For her third appearance at the Venice Film Festival, Virna Toppi, prima ballerina at Milan’s Teatro alla Scala, complemented her vintage Trussardi ensemble — originally created for Carla Fracci — with an entirely Cartier jewellery look. Panthers were unmistakably at the heart of the styling, appearing across the earrings, maxi pendant, bangle and culminating in the double feline ring. The panther entered the Maison’s creative universe in 1914, when Louis Cartier, together with his close collaborator Jeanne Toussaint, began incorporating the animal into his designs, eventually transforming it into an enduring symbol of the high jewellery house. Every piece worn by Toppi is crafted in white gold and collectively features more than 1,800 diamonds, 14 emeralds and five onyx stones.
A Dazzling Crocodile Necklace for Benedetta Porcaroli
Yet the panther is not Cartier’s only animal-inspired icon. Through “Into the Wild,” one of its latest high jewellery collections, the Maison has introduced new animal motifs, including the crocodile. Benedetta Porcaroli, known as @bennipi among Gen Z audiences, wore a particularly precious necklace shaped like the reptile. Inspired by the original creation made in 1975 for Mexican actress María Félix, the necklace features a crocodile “snout” sculpted in white gold and covered in diamond pavé. From it extends a flexible, articulated chain that recreates the texture of the animal’s skin, incorporating green chrysoprase beads, small geometric black onyx points reminiscent of the crocodile’s crest, and cabochon-cut red rubies. The result is a one-of-a-kind mimetic masterpiece.
Laila Hasanovic Chooses HardWear by Tiffany & Co.
More understated in character, Laila Hasanovic’s jewellery styling found its ideal expression in the iconic HardWear collection by Tiffany & Co., inspired by an archival bracelet from 1962. Her look comprised earrings and a bracelet echoing the collection’s distinctive industrial chain-link aesthetic, both crafted in 18K yellow gold.
Green Diamonds Return with Kasia Smutniak
When discussing green diamonds, Garatti is impossible to overlook. The company holds approximately 90% of those available on the market, and Kasia Smutniak showcased more than a few during the event. She began with band rings featuring colourless diamonds and Fancy Green diamonds, both from the Fancy Green Diamond Collection. She continued with a diamond ring from the Universal Collection and a tennis necklace from the Venice Collection, featuring an approximately 3K teardrop-cut diamond, complemented by her dangling earrings.
A Shimmering Serpenti for Jury President Maggie Gyllenhaal
Bulgari was equally essential to the Venice red carpet, with the Rome-based Maison selected by Jury President Maggie Gyllenhaal for her appearances. The actress and director chose the timeless Serpenti necklace in rose gold, featuring natural diamonds and black onyx. The necklace follows the sinuous form of the reptile, gracefully wrapping around the neck through a flexible metal chain made from individual geometric “scales” that replicate the texture of skin. The snake’s head frames the necklace as its central focal point, while the extended tail creates a distinctive teardrop effect known as the Y-drop.
Floral Earrings for Bhavitha Mandava
The earrings worn by Matthew Blazy’s muse are from Chanel’s Autumn/Winter 2026 collection rather than the Cruise collection, like the scaled mermaid dress, yet they are equally “ethereal.” Their floral, sun-like silhouette is created through pointed petals. Bhavitha Mandava’s button earrings feature a cabochon stone with iridescent reflections reminiscent of an opal or pearl, surrounded by small luminous crystals arranged in a radiating pattern. From this central composition, additional petals in pastel pink cascade downwards, further embellished with rhinestones and Chanel’s double-C logo.
Diamond Petals for Georgina Rodriguez
For Georgina Rodriguez, jewellery is a serious affair, even in Venice. Not quite as serious as her engagement ring from Cristiano Ronaldo, perhaps, but almost. Rodriguez appeared on the red carpet wearing a creation by Pasquale Bruni. She selected a pair of matching crescent-shaped rings in white gold and white diamonds, accompanied by stud earrings featuring the same design. Yet the true focal point was the necklace: a rigid choker from which a series of pavé-diamond petals bloom like an elegant garland.
Photo Credit: Getty Images
FAQs
What jewellery trends stood out at the 2026 Venice Film Festival?
The 2026 Venice red carpet highlighted statement chokers, animal-inspired high jewellery, colourful gemstones, diamond earrings, Fancy Green diamonds, floral motifs and distinctive archival-inspired designs.
Which jewellery house featured prominently through animal-inspired designs?
Cartier featured prominently with its panther and crocodile-inspired high jewellery creations worn by Virna Toppi and Benedetta Porcaroli.
What jewellery did Irina Shayk wear at the Venice Film Festival?
Irina Shayk wore an oversized flexible metal choker covered in white stones, paired with a striking emerald-cut solitaire, likely featuring a blue sapphire surrounded by diamonds.
What jewellery did Virna Toppi wear?
Virna Toppi wore an entirely Cartier jewellery look featuring panther motifs across her earrings, maxi pendant, bangle and double feline ring, crafted in white gold with diamonds, emeralds and onyx.
Who wore the Cartier crocodile necklace?
Benedetta Porcaroli wore a one-of-a-kind Cartier crocodile necklace inspired by the original creation made in 1975 for Mexican actress María Félix.
Which celebrity wore green diamonds?
Kasia Smutniak showcased multiple green diamond pieces, including band rings featuring Fancy Green diamonds and jewellery from Garatti’s collections.
What Bulgari jewellery did Maggie Gyllenhaal wear?
Maggie Gyllenhaal wore a Bulgari Serpenti necklace in rose gold featuring natural diamonds and black onyx.
What jewellery did Georgina Rodriguez wear?
Georgina Rodriguez wore Pasquale Bruni jewellery, including crescent-shaped white gold and diamond rings, matching stud earrings and a rigid choker featuring pavé-diamond petals.
Source: SVAR Media Network
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