A vision in Venice, Dame Helen the style queen

SHE has been a star of the stage and screen for 50 years – so she’s graced a fair few red carpets in her time.

And Helen Mirren showed off just how well she’s honed the art of dressing perfectly for the occasion at the Venice Film Festival yesterday.

The 72-year-old actress demonstrated her flair for fashion in an elegant silver satin dress with black lining and black lace off-theshoulder detailing, by British designer Sassi Holford, for the screening of her latest film The Leisure Seeker.

Dame Helen looked glowing with minimal make-up, apart from a dash of dark pink lipstick, and accessorised the ankle-length dip-hem dress with simple black heels, matching clutch bag and a pair of droplet earrings. The actress, who won a Golden Globe, a Bafta and an Oscar for her portrayal of Queen Elizabeth II in The Queen in 2006, was swamped by fans who wanted an autograph or a photo with the actress.

Dame Helen stars in the film, an adaptation of Michael Zadoorian’s 2009 novel, with Donald Sutherland, 82.

It tells the story of a terminally ill couple who take one final road trip in their mobile home.