Madonna's metamorphosis: Fresh-faced star flutters around the red carpet in a butterfly dress
By Jade Watkins
She already debuted a fresh-faced appearance at a photo-call this morning to which she arrived to looking glowing and wrinkle-free.
But Madonna's metamorphosis into a youthful butterfly was complete hours later, when she fluttered around on the red-carpet for the premiere of her directorial début W.E, at the 68th Venice Film Festival.
The 53-year-old looked ravishing in a floor-length dove-grey gown adorned with red butterflies, created especially for the star by Italian designer Vionnet.
But Madonna's metamorphosis into a youthful butterfly was complete hours later, when she fluttered around on the red-carpet for the premiere of her directorial début W.E, at the 68th Venice Film Festival.
The 53-year-old looked ravishing in a floor-length dove-grey gown adorned with red butterflies, created especially for the star by Italian designer Vionnet.
Youthful butterfly: Madonna's metamorphosis into a youthful butterfly was complete last night, as she fluttered around on the red-carpet for the premiere of her directorial début W.E at the 68th Venice Film Festival
The singer put on a grand entrance in the gown, which she paired with sky-high ruby red stilettos and a matching swipe of Scarlett lipstick.
And despite the darkness, Madonna slipped on a pair of glitter red-rimmed sunglasses for an added dramatic effect.
Adorned with diamonds, the stunning star wore her hair in an old-Hollywood style curl.
And despite the darkness, Madonna slipped on a pair of glitter red-rimmed sunglasses for an added dramatic effect.
Adorned with diamonds, the stunning star wore her hair in an old-Hollywood style curl.
Ravishing: The 53-year-old wore a floor-length dove-grey gown adorned with red butterflies, created especially for the star by Italian designer Vionnet and later she slipped on some glittery sunglasses of the same shade
Both the women star in Madonna's second directorial debut.
She also caught up with one of the male stars of the film James D'Arcy, who looked handsome in a black tuxedo.
Earlier the mother-of-three arrived in a speed boat to the cheers of hundreds of fans.
Social: Ever the social butterfly, she chatted with the stars of her movie, including actor James D'Arcy, who looked dapper in a black tuxedo
Cool shade: Despite the darkness, Madonna smiled as she showed off her pair of glitter red-rimmed sunglasses for an added dramatic effect
After posing for hundred of photographers in the press line, the star settled into her seat inside the auditorium to watch the film.
The singer first appeared as youthful as ever as she arrived at a photocall to promote W.E. that morning.
Helping hand: The star was lead to the red-carpet with one of her assistants who helped her with the train of her dress
Her complexion was glowing and despite her advancing years, amazingly line-free.
The singer-turned-director is apparently a fan of innovative beauty treatments including human placenta facials.
But despite these extreme measures, she has said she is opposed to the idea of going under the knife.
'I am what I am. And I don’t like the idea of someone putting you to sleep then taking knives to you,' she has said.
Centre of attention: The singer blew kisses to photographers and her fans
Instead, the youthful-looking star credits Kabbalah for helping her to focus on inner rather than outer beauty.
She also maintains her lithe figure with a rigorous daily exercise routine, which lasts up to two hours, and a strict macrobiotic diet.
She attended the photocall earlier at the Palazzo del Cinema to showcase and talk about W.E.
She wore a demure black and white outfit with a cross around her neck and several on her bracelet, and was photographed posing on the red carpet with actors James D'Arcy and Oscar Isaac.
Madonna arrived in Venice the night before and managed to cause quite the stir.
Proud: Madonna proudly poses with the stars of her film; James D'Arcy, Andrea Riseborough, Abbie Cornish, Natalie Dormer, Oscar Isaac, left to right
Frenzy: The photographer's flashbulb go crazy for the stars
She jetted in with a huge entourage but her family and young boyfriend were nowhere to be seen.
The youthful star, who has taken a second stab at directing, was seen putting on her sunglasses as soon as she saw the waiting photographers and also tried to guard herself with a black umbrella, even though it was clearly night time.
Wearing a pair of black wide-legged trousers and a checked shirt, the Ray Of Light singer was carrying rather large hand luggage, as were those who accompanied her.
They soon boarded a boat with their mountain of bags and were taken to the Hotel Palazzo Bauer.
The pop star's new film is a drama loosely based on divorcee Wallis Simpson, whose relationship with Britain's King Edward VIII led to his abdication in 1936.
Making an entrance: Earlier the mother-of-three arrived in a speed boat to the cheers of hundreds of fans
The title of the film is said to stand for the initials of the two main characters, Wallis and Edward.
Ms Simpson became the Duchess of Windsor when King Edward VIII renounced the throne and married her.
But fitness fanatic Madonna, has cleverly given the film a modern twist, probably hoping that this will hold her in better stead for praise rather than negative press.
The film's Royal Family storyline runs parallel with a modern day equivalent following an unhappily married New Yorker named Wally Winthrop.
The pop queen herself recently clarified that the film is about a woman's journey and not about the Duchess' life. Instead, the Duchess would act as the woman's spiritual guide.
Good seat then? After posing for hundred of photographers in the press line, the star settled into her seat alongside her the stars of her film
The star says the success of the Oscar-winning The King's Speech also gives audiences a point of reference for her new film, W.E.
'I view the success off that film as laying the ground work for my film,' she said in her press conference today.
'There's a little bit of history, and a little bit of knowledge. We are not starting from a blank slate.'.
Gorgeous in grape: Australian actress Abbie Cornish gorgeous in a graduated strapless purple Ateliar Versace
Madonna said she received support for the project from both her two director ex-husbands, Sean Penn and Guy Ritchie.
And it is with those two divorces from the after-mentioned men that make the singer best suited to tell the story of the two-time American divorcee.
Even Madonna admitted that were similar parallels with her and Wallis.
Long and short of it: Model Natasha Poly, left, looked pretty in pink Gucci and actress Marisa Tomei, right, was demure in a psychedelic printed shift
She said that they have common traits, such as both being Americans married to Brits, a shared love of fabulous clothes and a sense of adventure.
But most of all, the singer said she could relate to being limited by fame and notoriety.
She also told a news conference that she identifies with Mrs Simpson, because fame often reduces celebrities 'to a soundbite.'
'I think once you become famous, you have to pretty much relinquish the idea that people are going to see you for who you are, or look beyond the surface of things,' she said.
Turning back the clock: Madonna's looked as youthful as ever as she arrived at a photocall to promote W.E. this morning