Cate Blanchett has won a multitude of awards, including two Oscars. And she would definitely receive her fair share of style awards too, due to her impeccable fashion choices throughout her career.
However, even award-winning actresses can have their off days, as proven by her latest appearance at the Venice International Film Festival which certainly divided fans to say the least!
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Cate Blanchett Wears A Divisive Maison Margiela Couture Dress To Venice Film Festival
While attending the premiere of her new film Father Mother Sister Brother on Sunday, August 31st, Blanchett, 56, stepped out in an outfit that was extremely controversial – and that's putting it mildly!
The Blue Jasmine alum walked the red carpet in an avant-garde Maison Margiela dress fresh from the Fall 2025 Couture collection – the debut lineup from new creative director Glenn Martens. It featured a subtle black recycled polyester bodice, juxtaposed with a wildly theatrical skirt featuring oversized sculptural wings, crafted from layers of stiffened fabric, tulle, and feather-like panels. The design was meant to mimic plumage, but many people on social media thought it looked more like "dead birds," to quote one Instagram user. Yikes!
The Borderlands actress accessorized the striking look with Maison Margiela Tabi Claw boots on Perspex wedges, and went for minimal jewelry. Her hair was worn in a chic updo so as not to distract from the drama of the dress, while her makeup consisted of dark eyes and a nude lip.
Internet Reactions
The internet was extremely vocal when it came to opinions about the look – some of them loved it, while others were not impressed at all! "Is it dead birds?" asked one concerned fan on Instagram, as a second slammed: "Love you Cate, but really dislike that skirt." "Disappointing. And grotesque," criticized a third fan, as a fourth added: "She's stunning, but this is a hard pass."
"Feather mother sister brother," quipped a fifth, in reference to the film title, as a sixth thought: "There were many dresses in that collection far more interesting than that one." "Bah… what a disgusting dress," criticized a seventh, as an eighth echoed: "It's sort of repugnant, not nice at all."
Many others came to her defense though. "Cate looks gorgeous and thankfully the bird wing skirt is made of fabric!" exclaimed one fan. "So chic," gushed a second, as a third called the look "iconic." "This woman," raved a fourth, followed by the fire emoji, as a fifth said: "Love the fake feathers."
