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Fashion throwback

Beatrice Borromeo in Venice: Revisiting her iconic Valentino look from 19 years ago


The Italian aristocrat wore a gorgeous black and white dress that we're still talking about


Beatrice Borromeo wore perhaps the evening's most memorable dress© WireImage
Maria LoretoSenior Writer
SEPTEMBER 4, 2025 10:07 AM EDT

The Venice Film Festival kicked off last week, bringing many movie and fashion fans' eyes to Italy. The festival has been a staple of cinema and entertainment since 1932, when it first debuted. One of the best parts about these prestigious festivals is that while they introduce some of the year's biggest films and stars, they're also attended by all manner of notorious people, including models, singers, influencers, and even royals and aristocrats. One of our favorite looks from the past two decades was worn by Beatrice Borromeo, at the premiere of "The Devil Wears Prada." 

Beatrice Borromeo wore perhaps the evening's most memorable dress© WireImage
Beatrice Borromeo wore perhaps the evening's most memorable dress

In September of 2006, Borromeo was one of the guests at the beloved film premiere, which is currently shooting its sequel in New York City, alongside most of its original cast. Borromeo attended the premiere before her marriage to Pierre Casiraghi, and was known for her career as a journalist, her social activism, and her prestigious family history. 

Borromeo's movie date

She attended the event as Valentino's date© Corbis via Getty Images
She attended the event as Valentino's date

Borromeo attended the premiere alongside the designer Valentino Garavani, who has a special cameo in the film, having a brief exchange with Meryl Streep's character during the movie's depiction of Paris Fashion Week. Garavani and Borromeo collaborated on one of their best looks, with him designing her imposing and memorable red carpet dress. The white gown was made up of a satin fabric that displayed all sorts of stunning textures, giving the viewer a surprise no matter where their eye landed. 

The skirt boasted black and white colors, and its striking effect was responsible for many headlines, praising Garavani's bold design and his beautiful model. 

Borromeo's relationship with the Valentino brand has a long history. Her grandparents, Marta and Umberto Marzotto, were the owners of the Marzotto textile group, which owned Valentino for some years. On a more personal basis, Borromeo turned to Valentino for some of the most special moments in her life, including her civil wedding to Casiraghi. 

Borromeo collaborated with Valentino, one of her favorite designers© WireImage
Borromeo collaborated with Valentino, one of her favorite designers

Meryl Streep and Anne Hathaway's looks

On that occasion, the movie's stars, Streep and Hathaway, also opted for white looks, demonstrating that the color was on everyone's minds at the time. Streep opted for a suit dress that she paired with a lace top, some sunglasses, and nude heels. 

Hathaway wore a white bridal-like dress that borrowed from the Greeks, incorporating a sash on the waist, and some details over a shoulder. 

Meryl Streep, Stanley Tucci and Anne Hathaway at the 2006 premiere of The Devil wears Prada© Getty Images
Meryl Streep, Stanley Tucci and Anne Hathaway at the 2006 premiere of The Devil wears Prada

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