Despite the controversy that surrounds Don’t Worry Darling, it still remains as one of the most talked about and most anticipated films on the cinematic roster. On September 5 the long-awaited thriller will see a global premiere at the Venice Film Festival with director Olivia Wilde set to walk the red carpet.

Wilde rose to fame from humble beginnings, nabbing her first on-screen job as Kellie in her debut film Girl Next Door before she was returning guest star as Alex Kelly in nineties drama, The OC. The actress-cum-filmmaker has solidified her position as a groundbreaking female director and her forthcoming visit to Venice promises to be a momentous occasion.

The Venice Film Festival has been the location of many iconic red carpet moments and a career-defining experience at that. Lady Gaga in Valentino for her debut film role in A Star Is Born. Kristen Stewart in Chanel for the premiere of Spencer. Zendaya in Balmain for Dune. Before we witness all the details of her forthcoming appearance, we’ve taken a step back in time – and trends – for the red carpet style evolution of the actress.

2005

Olivia Wilde was first captured on the red carpet (at least in the Getty records) for the 11th Annual Race to Erase MS themed “Rock & Royalty to Erase MS” held at the Westin Century Plaza Hotel. The actress was just 21 at the time and had found recognition from The OC. She had blonde locks and lent into all the paisley bohemian glory of the early 2000s with a silk maxi dress and plunging neckline.

olivia wilde red carpet
Credit: Frank Trapper/Corbis via Getty Images

2007

Two years later Wilde attended her first Primetime Emmy Awards, swapping boho for a girly princess-esque gown after her ongoing appearance in the television drama, House. 

olivia wilde red carpet
Credit: Dan MacMedan/WireImage

2008

Wilde appeared at the 14th annual Screen Actors Guild Awards in a Farah Angsana gown.

Olivia wilde red carpet
Credit: Dan MacMedan/WireImage

2009

Just months after she was spotted wearing a Reem Arca dress at the Primetime Emmy Awards, the actress wore another voluminous tulle gown from the designer at her first Golden Globes ceremony, paired with a lilac eye shadow. Two weeks later the actress attended the SAGs in a Marilyn Monroe-inspired gown from Ralph Lauren.

Later that year in September, Wilde stepped out in an ethereal mermaid-esque Marchesa gown at the Emmys.

olivia wilde red carpet
Credit: Dave Bjerke/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty Images
olivia wilde red carpet
Credit: Getty Images
olivia wilde red carpet
Credit: Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic

2010

2010 saw Wilde find her obsession for sequins (a style cue she’d return to again and again) in Emilio Pucci while the sweeping side part was given air time at the world premiere of TRON: Legacy. 

olivia wilde red carpet
Credit: Alberto E. Rodriguez/WireImage

2011

Wilde swapped the side part for choppy bangs and long straight locks for the 2011 Golden Globes red carpet. She chose to wear another Marchesa gown which featured a strapless bodice and voluminous tulle skirt. Not to mention the studded peep-toe boots. In the same year she worked with Gucci for the first time and wore a black and gold fringe dress to the premiere of Cowboys & Aliens at the 64th Festival del Film di Locarno in Switzerland.

She returned to her bohemian roots at the 2011 Toronto Film Festival in a Grecian-inspired white gown from Marchesa.

Olivia wilde red carpet
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olivia wilde red carpet
Credit: Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images
olivia wilde red carpet
Credit: George Pimentel/WireImage

2013

The 2013 Met Gala theme was PUNK: Chaos to Couture and the actress departed from her boho ways for an edgier custom cut out gown from Francisco Acosta, Calvin Klein Women’s Creative Director at the time. She returned to the red carpet for the London premiere of Rush wearing a power suit.

olivia wilde red carpet
Credit: Lars Niki/Corbis via Getty Images
olivia wilde red carpet
Credit: Ian West/PA Images via Getty Images

2014

Wilde gave new meaning to maternity wear in 2014 at the 71st annual Golden Globes. The actress was expecting her first child with Jason Sudeikis and wore a glittering green Gucci gown. At the Oscars the pregnant star wore a black Valentino gown. After the birth of her son Otis in April, she attended the CFDA Fashion Awards in June wearing a one-shouldered fringe gown from the brand, Decades LA.

olivia wilde red carpet
Credit: Alberto Rodriguez/NBC/NBCUniversal via Getty Images
olivia wilde red carpet
Credit: Ethan Miller/WireImage
olivia wilde red carpet
Credit: Mike Coppola/Getty Images

2015

At the 2015 Met Gala Wilde wore a Prada column gown emblazoned with rhinestones for the theme China: Through the Looking Glass. In October, she opted for a cutout Rosie Assoulin gown from the designer’s 2016 collection.

olivia wilde red carpet
Credit: Andrew Toth/Getty Images for The Mark Hotel
olivia wilde red carpet
Credit:Nicholas Hunt/Getty Images

2016

Arguably one of Wilde’s best looks arrived at the 2016 Academy Awards where the actress wore a Valentino Haute Couture gown.

olivia wilde red carpet
Credit: Todd Williamson/Getty Images

2017

At the Tony Awards in 2017, Wilde debuted a blunt bob at the Radio City Music Hall in New York City. She wore a glittering red Michael Kors gown with a plunging neckline.

olivia wilde red carpet
Credit: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions

2018

At the 2018 Vanity Fair Oscar Party, Wilde tried the midriff flossing trend with a silver Roberto Cavalli dress.

olivia wilde red carpet
Olivia Wilde attending the Vanity Fair Oscar Party held in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, USA. (Photo by PA/PA Images via Getty Images)

2019

In a nod to bohemian style the Booksmart filmmaker chose to wear a billowing Miu Miu gown with chiffon sleeves and a high lace neck in 2019.

olivia wilde red carpet
Credit: Theo Wargo/Getty Images for IFP

2020

After a long relationship with Valentino, the actress opted for a vibrant orange long sleeve gown from the Italian fashion house for the 25th annual Critics Choice Awards.

olivia wilde red carpet
Credit: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Critics Choice Association

2021

Finally, we arrive at 2021. A highlight from the year saw Wilde as a guest of Gucci for the start-studded LACMA Art and Film Gala. She wore a long sleeve black sequin gown which featured a pink butterfly on the bust, a nod to the Y2K motif.

Olivia Wilde red carpet
Credit: Presley Ann/Getty Images for LACMA