Premiere
Charli Howard graced the red carpet at the Venice Film Festival premiere of ‘Three Friends’ (Trois Amies) on Friday evening, and my initial reaction to her Carolina Herrera Fall 2024 strapless gown was one of disappointment.
The English model, author, and body activist is known for her bold style choices, but this particular look fell flat for me.
The main issue with the Carolina Herrera gown is its length. The dress is simply too long, causing the skirt to bunch up at the waist which was quite distracting. A proper fit could have made a world of difference here. While I’m usually not a fan of platform heels, they were definitely needed to balance out the length and give Charli a less cluttered silhouette.
Arrival
Earlier in the day, Charli’s arrival at the Hotel Excelsior was much more intriguing. She wore a Self-Portrait strapless polka dot dress that truly captured the essence of vintage glamour. The 1940s inspiration behind the dress seems to suit Charli’s style sensibilities perfectly. The dress flattered her figure beautifully, and the playful polka dots added a whimsical touch that felt both modern and nostalgic.
That said, I wasn’t completely sold on the red accents of her Manolo Blahnik Gelsominamu mules. While they provided a pop of colour, they felt slightly out of place with the overall monochromatic vibe of the outfit. However, the Vuarnet sunglasses were a chic addition, adding a touch of mystery and effortlessly elevating her ensemble.
Comparing the two looks, it’s clear that Charli shines brightest when she embraces styles that play to her strengths. The Carolina Herrera gown, with its poor fit and awkward length, did not do her justice. Whereas the Self-Portrait dress highlighted her figure and personality in a way that felt authentic and true to her.
Stylist: Rosie Arkell-Palmer. Hair Stylist: Gabriella Floyd.
Credit: Stephane Cardinale – Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images / Daniele Venturelli/WireImage
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