Kelsea Ballerini at the Armani Venice Show, shares photos by Chase Stokes – The Hollywood Reporter

Kelsea Ballerini got “goosebumps” on her very first trip to Venice, she says The Hollywood Reporter.

The singer-songwriter visited the glamorous city of canals with friend Chase Stokes to attend designer Giorgio Armani’s ‘One Night Only’ event on September 2, which included a haute couture presentation and party for around 500 guests included.

“The pieces themselves were stunning. I really liked the consistent contrast of pretty pastel tones and black. There were so many looks I was like, ‘I have to wear this!’” she says of the runway show, which was highlighted by looks featuring diamond shapes and harlequin motifs.

“But the moment of the evening,” Ballerini continues, “watching Mr. Armani himself do his lap down the runway and being showered with praise and respect – goosebumps.”

Shown in Paris last January, the second presentation of Armani Privé’s spring 2023 couture show took place at the city’s Arsenale complex and attracted stars including Sophia Loren, Sydney Sweeney, Maude Apatow, Lili Reinhart, Kerry Washington and Jessica an Chastain, Sadie Sink, Benicio Del Toro, Jesse Williams, Regé-Jean Page, Michelle Rodriguez, Camila Mendes, Adria Arjona, Lukas Gage and The White Lotus‘Beatrice Granno.

Ballerini wore a dark shimmering sculptural black beaded vintage Armani Privé train dress that she calls her “favorite look of the weekend” and describes it as “a strapless, glittery black dress with a strong, structured silhouette” — once my stylist Molly [Dickson] I sent myself a photo that I felt was a special dress for a special night.”

Ballerini, who will perform at the MTV Video Music Awards on September 12, completed her look for the One Night Only event with heels by Stuart Weitzman, diamond earrings by Vera Belleza and makeup by CoverGirl. (The “Heartfirst” and “Love Me Like You Mean It” singer became the face of the beauty brand last year.)

“We wanted to complement the classic character of the dress with an updo to show off the detail of the neckline but add a little accent with a smudged smoky eye. I loved playing with the juxtaposition of glamour,” says Ballerini, who has worked with makeup artist Emma Day and hairstylist Ben Talbott.

During the trip to Venice, Ballerini also took time to enjoy the city and to narrate THR Highlights included “enjoying the views from a water taxi, watching lovers cozying up in gondolas, or frolicking about St. Mark’s Square.” The experience was beautifully overwhelming. Also, the tagliatelle at Harry’s are a new core memory.”

“It was my first Venice experience and it really is a place that even pictures can’t do justice,” she adds.

The Armani “One Night Only Event” coincided with the 80’s^th Sponsored by Cartier and Armani Beauty, the annual Venice International Film Festival runs through September 9th.