Ladies in red: Natalie Portman wore red chiffon to the opening movie of Venice Film Festival, Black Swan, while Jessica Alba wore floral Dolce and Gabbana at a photocall for her film Machete
They say never wear scarlet on the red carpet.
But Jessica Alba and Natalie Portman proved fashion rules are always made to be broken, both choosing scarlet dresses for the opening of the Venice Film Festival this evening.
The actresses looked equally stunning, in their very different gowns.
Jessica chose a floral Dolce and Gabanna number, which she teamed with tough black platform heels, an armful of bangles and a simple straight hairdo. She then changed into a stunning black mini dress with long train for the first night screening of her movie Machete.
Natalie chose a more traditional style evening gown in red chiffon, slit to the waist to reveal her shapely legs.
Strike a pose: Jessica keeps her self- assurance, despite the huge number of photographers
Hollywood in Venice: Vincent Cassel and Natalie Portman attend the Opening Ceremony at the Sala Grande Palazzo Del Cinema
The 29-year-old wore her hair coiled in an updo as she arrived for the opening film, Darron Aronofsky's Black Swan, in which she plays an ageing ballerina.
It came as Quentin Tarantino said the festival lineup was 'one of the most wildest, cool, eclectic lineups' he'd ever seen.
Tarantino heads the jury that will judge 22 films from 11 countries, plus one surprise film to be announced next week, for the coveted Golden Lion.
Quick change: Jessica stepped into a black minidress with train for the screening of her new movie Machete
The director of Inglourious Basterds knows about festival lineups.
This isn't his first jury. In fact, the director confessed to hosting his own private festivals, lining up 15 DVDs and judging himself which was the best, a sort of unofficial Tarantino Film Fest.
He told reporters on Wednesday that he once he ran into director German filmmaker Tom Tykwer and told him: 'I did a little film festival for myself, and you won. Perfume won!'
Fairytale gowns: Italian actress Isabella Ragonese and Italian model Elisa Sednaoui
All the dresses: Italian actress Violante Placido, Tunisian model Afef Jnifen and Italian actress Margareth Made
Ladies in red: Natalie Portman wore red chiffon to the opening movie of Venice Film Festival, Black Swan, while Jessica Alba wore floral Dolce and Gabbana at a photocall for her film Machete
Strike a pose: Jessica keeps her self- assurance, despite the huge number of photographers
Hollywood in Venice: Vincent Cassel and Natalie Portman attend the Opening Ceremony at the Sala Grande Palazzo Del Cinema 
Quick change: Jessica stepped into a black minidress with train for the screening of her new movie Machete
Fairytale gowns: Italian actress Isabella Ragonese and Italian model Elisa Sednaoui 
All the dresses: Italian actress Violante Placido, Tunisian model Afef Jnifen and Italian actress Margareth Made
