Penélope Cruz Stuns in Red-Hot Gianvito Rossi Pumps & Chanel Platforms at Venice 2026

Penélope Cruz has been stealing the spotlight at the 83rd Venice International Film Festival, attending both the premiere and photocall for her psychological thriller, Bunker, which is competing for the Golden Lion.

The film follows a married couple who have been together for 17 years. Their relationship is tested when the husband, an architect, accepts a controversial project to build a survivalist bunker for a tech billionaire. As he becomes involved with the project, his wife begins questioning their marriage.

Penélope Cruz showcases contrasting red and black Chanel looks with minimalist Gianvito Rossi pumps and sandals at the Bunker premiere and photocall during the Venice International Film Festival on September 8, 2026 (Credit: Cover Images / IPA / INSTARimages)

For the premiere, Cruz channeled classic Old Hollywood glamour in a striking red-on-red Chanel look paired with Gianvito Rossi pumps. The towering stilettos added extra height to the 5’4″ (162.6 cm) Spanish actress, but it was the uninterrupted sweep of red that really made the look feel statuesque.

For the photocall, she switched to a more relaxed summer mood, wearing a breezy black Chanel dress with open-toe heels. I loved the contrast between the two: the dramatic red ensemble brought plenty of red-carpet glamour, while the black dress felt more understated and effortlessly elegant.

Penélope Cruz Goes Monochrome in Red Chanel and Gianvito Rossi Pumps

Penélope Cruz looked sleek and sophisticated in head-to-toe red, creating a bold, polished look that really stood out on the Venice red carpet.

She slipped into Gianvito Rossi pumps crafted from red chamois leather, which gave the classic silhouette a soft, slightly velvety finish. The pointed toes sharpened and elongated the shape, while the high stiletto heels kept the monochromatic look sleek rather than overly romantic.

Gianvito Rossi is also familiar territory for Cruz: she previously stepped out in the designer’s pointed-toe Plexi pumps, showing her long-running preference for the label’s clean, leg-lengthening silhouettes.

Penélope Cruz slips into a pair of red chamois leather pumps by Gianvito Rossi featuring a classic silhouette with pointed toes and stiletto heels (Credit: Cover Images)

Cruz is hardly the only star drawn to the Gianvito 105. The classic pointed-toe pump has become a red-carpet and royal favorite: Kate Middleton has made the style a recurring part of her wardrobe, while Céline Dion has worn it in crisp white and Lady Gaga has stepped out in classic black suede.

Part of the appeal is just how versatile the silhouette is. The Gianvito 105 pumps are available in multiple colors for $850 through Gianvito Rossi, with shades ranging from understated black to saturated jewel tones and metallics.

Gianvito Rossi Gianvito 105 pumps are available in many colors, including red, black, fuchsia, green, purple, and gold

Cruz paired the pumps with a custom red Chanel gown that hugged her figure beautifully. The structured bodice featured a low scoop neckline and delicate shoulder straps, creating a feminine silhouette while highlighting her décolletage.

Around her waist, textured fringe and feathered trim added volume and movement, breaking up the sleek silhouette with a more dramatic detail. A thigh-high side slit added another sultry element, secured at the upper hip with three buttons.

Cruz leaned into a retro beauty look with a modern lob and heavy face-framing fringe. She tucked one side behind her ear to show off her Chanel Reach for the Stars earrings and added two rings, including the Chanel Sky Is the Limit ring for some sparkle.

Her makeup stayed polished and feminine, with softly defined eyes, sculpted brows, rosy cheeks, and a muted pink lip that balanced the bold red outfit.

Penélope Cruz keeps things monochromatic, pairing her red pumps with a custom red Chanel dress featuring a textured fringe and feathered trim around the waist, a scoop neckline, a fitted bodice, and a dangerously high slit (Credit: Manuele Mangiarotti / IPA / INSTARimages)

Penélope Cruz Switches to Black Chanel and Platform Sandals for the Bunker Photocall

At the photocall, Cruz traded the premiere’s high-drama red for head-to-toe black, but the result was anything but severe. I loved how the barely-there sandals offset the dress’s playful shoulder details, giving the look that easy Mediterranean glamour she does so well.

The black suede sandals featured an open-toe design that showed off her red pedicure, adding a pop of color against the head-to-toe black. A slim strap sat across her toes, while matching ankle straps secured the shoes in place.

Chunky platforms and high heels gave the otherwise minimal sandals more presence beneath the dress. It’s a footwear formula Cruz has returned to with Chanel before, including towering black platform sandals with a Chanel look during the 2022 awards season. Here, the substantial sole balanced the volume at the shoulders while the barely-there straps kept the look from feeling heavy.

Penélope Cruz keeps her footwear simple with a pair of black suede sandals with platforms, stiletto heels, and open toes to showcase her red pedicure (Credit: IPA / INSTARimages)

Cruz paired them with a custom ankle-length black Chanel dress. The softly tailored bodice featured a daring plunging V-neckline, while thin spaghetti straps were topped with voluminous black tulle pom-poms that burst into wispy, feather-like accents. I loved this unexpected detail, which added drama and dimension to the otherwise simple silhouette.

The dress hugged her figure through the waist and hips before flaring out at the knees into a trumpet-style skirt. The fitted upper half and flowing lower portion created a flattering shape while keeping the overall look elegant.

Cruz accessorized with Chanel pendant earrings, rings, and a black Chanel clutch with a chain strap. She wore her hair in a voluminous half-up style with loose waves framing her face, paired with soft, polished makeup and a rosy lip.

Penélope Cruz wears a black Chanel trumpet dress with feathered pom-pom shoulder straps and minimalist black platform sandals at the Bunker photocall during the 83rd Venice International Film Festival (Credit: IPA / INSTARimages)

Venice 2026 Shoe Highlights: Standout Pumps, Platforms, Flats, and Boots

Penélope Cruz’s Gianvito Rossi pumps were just one chapter in Venice’s unusually varied shoe story. Across the 83rd Venice International Film Festival, stars moved between barely-there sandals, sculptural pumps, towering platforms, sleek mules, ballet flats, and experimental sock boots. Here are some of the standout footwear moments from Venice 2026.