Venice vs. TIFF fashion showdown, Keira Knightley edition
The Venice Film Festival overlaps briefly with TIFF, which means stars attending both must be prepared for a whole lot of travel and double the red carpet outfits. But, as we observed last year, it seems Venice more often than not gets the couture and Toronto the not-so-couture. Take Keira Knightley for example, seen on the left at the September 2 Venice premiere of A Dangerous Method in a full-length Valentino gown, and on the right at the TIFF gala eight days later in a similarly toned Elie Saab dress. The photos were taken only days apart but there’s almost no contest: Knightley is black tie in one, and cocktail ready in the other. While we think she looks beautiful in both—the Valentino is meticulously detailed and the Elie Saab full of whimsy—we can’t help but feel that as usual, Toronto is getting the shorter end of the fashion stick. What do you think?
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(Images: Venice, Dominique Charriau/WireImage/Getty Images; Toronto, Christopher Drost)
![](http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=https://torontolife.com/culture/venice-vs-tiff-keira-knightley/&title=Venice vs. TIFF fashion showdown, Keira Knightley edition&picture=https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/keira-knightley-624x523.jpg&description=[caption id="attachment_89699" align="aligncenter" width="656" caption="Venice vs. Toronto"][/caption]
The Venice Film Festival overlaps briefly with TIFF, which means stars attending both must be prepared for a whole lot of travel and double the red carpet outfits. But, as we observed last year, it seems Venice more often than not gets the couture and Toronto the not-so-couture. Take Keira Knightley for example, seen on the left at the September 2 Venice premiere of A Dangerous Method in a full-length Valentino gown, and on the right at the TIFF gala eight days later in a similarly toned Elie Saab dress. The photos were taken only days apart but there’s almost no contest: Knightley is black tie in one, and cocktail ready in the other. While we think she looks beautiful in both—the Valentino is meticulously detailed and the Elie Saab full of whimsy—we can’t help but feel that as usual, Toronto is getting the shorter end of the fashion stick. What do you think?
[poll id="25"]
(Images: Venice, Dominique Charriau/WireImage/Getty Images; Toronto, Christopher Drost)
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While there may be a visible contrast of fashion in these two photos, if we look a little harder we can see a contrast of environment as well. Unfortunately, the gum and whatever other ungodly substance stained pavement surrounding Roy Thompson hall is probably no place to be dragging a ball gown for an extended period of time. Not saying that the Roy Thompson property itself isn’t worthy of that sort of thing, but the evidence is rather clear in these two photos. From what I’ve seen in photos of the Venice festival, there’s probably plenty more carpeted territory for celebrities to have to wander.
RE: Fricka
How awful that Keira had to walk on a petty sidewalk with old gum stained into it. I hope her shoes were okay.
PS. Saab takes the cake this round and as a direct result, so does Toronto.
The Saab dress is adorable and so is her hair.
Apples and oranges. Both are beautiful and appropriate for their locations.
Frick…agreed..I think there is a stark contrast in the surroundings when you look at Venice (and many other film festivals) compared to TIFF! If you want stars to don ball gowns roll out the red carpet! Look at the gorgeous flowers lining the red carpet at Venice as well. TIFF want’s to be in the same class as Venice or Cannes, I’d say we’re getting there, but we still leave much to be desired in the class department. Honestly a red carpet is pretty friggen basic, I sure as hell wouldn’t drag an expensive ball gown down our sidewalks!
who gives a rat’s ass?
Frankly the downtown TIFF areas do look tacky, especially the so-called red carpet area that winds through David Pecualt Square. Dirty concrete slabs, metal barriers, hucksters everywhere on King street. TIFF used to be somewhat classy, now more Coney Island. Dress appropriately.