Amal Clooney turned the waterways of Venice into her own personal catwalk as she stepped out hand-in-hand with husband George Clooney on Friday.
The 48-year-old human rights lawyer looked sensational in a figure-hugging cream Stella McCartney dress decorated with a playful raspberry print as the couple arrived by water taxi for "The Future Of... Creativity" event during the Venice Film Festival.
The romantic off-the-shoulder design hugged Amal's figure before falling to her ankles, with its raspberry motif providing a playful twist on the classic polka dot. According to Vogue Italia, the print was hand-painted in Stella McCartney's London atelier.
Amal completed her look with nude Aquazzura mule heels, oversized tortoiseshell sunglasses and statement gold earrings, carrying a small cream beaded bag with a chain handle.
© Getty Images for Finch & PartnerHer long brunette hair was styled away from her face in a half-up look, a departure from the glossy waves she frequently favors for red carpet appearances.
George, 65, kept things characteristically understated beside his wife in a dark navy suit worn over a simple black T-shirt and black shoes.
The couple looked relaxed as they travelled through Venice by boat before emerging hand-in-hand, with Amal smiling broadly as they made their way into the event.
George Clooney calls wife Amal a 'badass'
Their appearance came just two days after George turned the spotlight firmly onto his wife while being honored with the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement at the 83rd Venice International Film Festival.
During a festival masterclass, the Oscar winner spoke proudly about Amal's extraordinary career as an international human rights lawyer.
"My wife's the only person to have ever put ISIS on trial and won," George told the audience, before declaring: "She's a badass, and she gets the job done."
Amal has represented Yazidi victims of ISIS and worked on cases concerning war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide.
© Getty Images for Finch & PartnerGeorge also acknowledged that her work has sometimes placed the couple in the middle of difficult public debates.
"Amal's taken some very difficult stands over the years, and we've had to face some pretty heavy criticism based on that," he said.
It was an unusually public tribute from George to the woman he married in Venice almost 12 years ago.
George pays tribute to Amal and their twins
Amal was also by her husband's side on Wednesday as George received one of the most prestigious honors of his career.
The actor used his Golden Lion acceptance speech to recognize not only his wife but their nine-year-old twins, Ella and Alexander.
Reflecting on the people who had helped him throughout his career, George told the audience: "Nobody arrives anywhere on their own," before acknowledging his family.
© Getty Images for Finch & PartnerThe award represented a full-circle moment for the actor, whose long relationship with the Venice Film Festival stretches back decades. His 2005 movie Good Night, and Good Luck, which he directed and co-wrote, premiered at Venice and earned him the festival's Best Screenplay prize.
Venice also holds enormous personal significance for George and Amal, who famously chose the city for their wedding in September 2014.
Amal Clooney's show-stopping Venice wardrobe
While George may be the one receiving the lifetime achievement award, Amal has certainly been commanding her share of attention during the couple's latest Italian visit.
For Wednesday's opening ceremony, she accompanied her husband in a dramatic custom black Tom Ford gown by Haider Ackermann, accessorized with spectacular Cartier diamonds reportedly worth $375,000.
© Mondadori Portfolio via Getty ImShe subsequently switched things up with a playful aquamarine fringed mini dress before opting for Friday's softer Stella McCartney creation.
The raspberry-covered dress is from the designer's High Summer collection and has a versatile neckline that can be worn off the shoulder, asymmetrically or as a bandeau. Amal chose the romantic off-the-shoulder styling for her outing with George.
George and Amal's enduring love story
The couple's return to Venice is especially poignant given that the city played host to one of the most important moments of their relationship.
George, who once famously insisted he would never marry again, wed Amal at the Aman Canal Grande in September 2014, surrounded by family and famous friends.
© Andrew GoodmanThey welcomed Ella and Alexander in June 2017 and have since divided their family life between the United States and Europe.
George has repeatedly credited Amal with transforming his life, telling CBS Sunday Morning in 2020: "There is no question that having Amal in my life changed everything for me."
"It was the first time that everything that she did and everything about her was infinitely more important than anything about me."rel
