The 2020 Venice Film Festival may have only just begun, but it’s already been full of fantastic fashion. As the first big red carpet since the coronavirus pandemic began it brought back all the designer gowns, statement jewelry, and spontaneity associated with event dressing. They’re also helping to evolve the concept. This year, once the premieres and parties wrap up, many of the very best pieces worn by cinema legends like jury president Cate Blanchett and Golden Lion winner Tilda Swinton will be up for grabs. Set for September 23rd, the Chic Relief x RAD (Red Carpet Advocacy) auction will feature several of the most discussed pieces with all proceeds going to the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women and Facing History, a non-profit centered on teaching students to fight bigotry through eye-opening dialogues about equity.
The auction is a collaboration between some of Hollywood’s most influential creatives. Founded by Arianne Phillips, the mastermind behind Madonna’s wardrobe and the Oscar-nominated costume designer of Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, and luxury consultant Carineh Martin in 2018, RAD was responsible for the spate of fashion-fueled donations ahead of the 2019 Golden Globes. Their input pushed brands to begin donating money to causes connected to the celebrities they dress. When Dior put Elizabeth Moss in an elegant mini dress for last year’s ceremony they did so while sending a contribution to the ACLU. “This has expanded our conversations with talent,” shared Phillips on the phone from Los Angeles.