There’s the Oscars, there’s the Met Gala, and the Golden Globes … and then there’s the Venice Film Festival.

The annual celebration of cinema on the canals attracts all kinds of colourful characters, who pull out their best sartorial statements for the camera-laden red carpet.

While some stars play it safe by sticking to Old Hollywood-style glamour, others clearly use the festival’s exotic location as an opportunity to experiment.

The festival kicked off on August 31 and saw big-name attendees like Emma Stone, Natalie Portman and Amy Adams promoting their upcoming films in floor-length gowns from the big couture houses.

Natalie Portman was in the Italian city promoting her new film Jackie in which she stars as former American First Lady Jackie Kennedy.

Natalie Portman as Jackie Kennedy.

Portman, 35, was accompanied by her burgeoning baby bump – she announced this week she’s expecting her second child with her choreographer husband Benjamin Millepied.

Natalie Portman’s best accessory was her baby bump. Photo: Getty

Another expectant mum on the red carpet was Australian actress Teresa Palmer, who stars in Mel Gibson’s Hacksaw Ridge and is seven months pregnant.

Australian actress Teresa Palmer is seven months pregnant. Photo: Getty

Stone, meanwhile, attended the first few days of the festival to premiere her film La La Land, an original musical also starring Ryan Reynolds which has received rave reviews.

“This is not a movie that falls into some sort of trend,” Tom Hanks said whilst promoting his film Sully.

“But if the audience doesn’t go and embrace something as wonderful as this then we are all doomed.”

For the premiere, Stone chose a fringed, bedazzled Atelier Versace gown that saw her rocket to the top of best dressed lists around the world.

Emma Stone in Versace. Photo: Getty

The most stylish couple award went to real-life and on-screen lovers Michael Fassbender and Alicia Vikander, who made several rare join red carpet appearances to promote their film The Light Between Oceans.

Irish-German actor Michael Fassbender and Swedish actress Alicia Vikander make a gorgeous, talented pairing. Photo: Getty

By far the most talked-about moment from the festival occurred when models Giulia Salemi and Dayane Mello’s turned up to The Young Pope premiere in gowns that showed off their crotch area to a level that garnered worldwide media attention.

Giulia Salemi (left) and Dayane Mello dared to bare it all. Photo: Getty

Style observers quickly declared “crotch-baring” dresses a trend, albeit one that should be avoided at all costs.

‘Crotch-baring’ is the new black. Photo: Getty

Johnny Depp’s teenage daughter Lily-Rose Depp chose to make a far subtler statement with her two Chanel outfits.

Promoting her new film Planetarium, Depp chose a bright yellow sundress from the label for a casual photocall, and a skin-tight black number for the film’s official premiere.

The sophisticated approach had Depp looking far more mature than her 17 years.

Lily-Rose Depp is shaping up to be a style icon even at a young age. Photo: Getty

The New Daily‘s pick for the festival’s best dressed star was British actress Gemma Arterton, who stuck to an all-black colour theme but still managed to stand out thanks to her striking choice of jewellery and silhouettes that showed just enough skin.

Gemma Arterton was the clear choice for best dressed. Photo: Getty