Nobody Did Red Carpet Whimsy Like Marni’s Francesco Risso

This morning, news broke that Marni creative director Francesco Risso is departing the label—this after almost a decade at the helm. First joining the Italian house back in 2016, Risso evolved the Marni aesthetic to reflect all things joy, exuberance, and whimsy. His colorful runway shows served as a breathe of fresh air in the Fashion Month calendar—and his red carpet hits, as infrequent as they were, always delivered a memorable moment. In honor of his exit, Vogue is taking a look back at some of his very best celebrity placements.

Whereas many leading labels prioritize dressing VIPs as often as possible, Risso’s Marni crafted more organic and spontaneous red carpet moments. His looks didn’t flood awards season, but they were wonderfully-wild and outré when they appeared on the step and repeat. Risso is not a designer who stars turned to for Marni looks that played it safe. Take the unforgettable dress that Hunter Schafer wore to the 2023 premiere of the Hunger Games. The star, styled by Dara, wore a sculptural frock made of upcycled, hand-painted metal flowers, all applied onto a floral-printed poplin base. In other words: Not your average LBD.

Erykah Badu at the 2022 Met Gala in Marni.

Photo: Getty Images

Risso also enjoyed many winning looks at the Met Gala throughout his tenure. One of his ongoing muses, Erykah Badu, shined in 2022 when she wore his technicolor dream-suit with a beaded fringed top and, of course, a theatrical chapeau to match. Another win, was when Risso transformed rapper Nicki Minaj into a floral sculpture in 2024. Florals? For spring? They can be groundbreaking—especially when done through Risso’s avant-garde eyes.

A love for bold, bright hues and more theatrical silhouettes is what made Risso’s Marni such a gem in the red carpet sphere. (And why stars like Usher, Cate Blanchett, and Charli XCX all flocked to him for custom looks.) While other labels adhered to the most pervasive trends, Risso always marched to his own rhythm—unapologetically doing his own thing and delighting fashion fans in the process. Whatever he does next, we know his red carpet dressing will hit hard. We await the fabulosity with glee.

Below, more of Risso’s best Marni red carpet hits.