|
Neubauer Artists LLC Getting your Trinity Audio player ready... |
The acclaimed actress, model and activist received the prestigious award for her commitment to the fight against HIV and AIDS.
Pamela Anderson at the 2026 Venice Film Festival: All the details of her award-winning look
Pamela Anderson arrived at the 2026 Venice Film Festival to present Kornél Mundruczó’s Place to Be out of competition, in which she stars alongside Taika Waititi and Ellen Burstyn, who is receiving the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement this year. But that is not all: this year, Pamela Anderson is receiving the prestigious amfAR Award of Courage from the American Foundation for AIDS Research (amfAR) in recognition of her social advocacy and commitment to the fight against AIDS. She was joined on stage by multidisciplinary artist Marina Abramović, who was honored with the Award of Inspiration. The ceremony took place on September 6, 2026, during the 83rd Venice International Film Festival, at the luxurious Hilton Molino Stucky hotel on the Venetian island of Giudecca.
Aurore Marechal
Colby Tallia/amfAR
For the occasion, Pamela Anderson wore an evening gown by Calvin Klein Collection. The custom-made design featured a straight column silhouette, ultra-thin straps, a straight neckline at the front and a delicate V-shaped back, complemented by a matching long scarf. The fabric was bonded technical satin in a glossy, striking shade of clementine. The elegant gown also featured a long, flowing stole that served as an elegant train. This color is one of the season’s leading trends, and in color psychology, it symbolizes pure energy, ambition and the courage to overcome fear, perfectly reflecting the award Anderson received that evening. Her hair, styled in delicate inward-facing retro waves, was perfectly suited to the formal dress code of this philanthropic evening, which brought together leading figures from the worlds of art and culture.
Victor Boyko/amfAR
Kyle Clifford, CEO of amfAR, said: “Pamela Anderson is not only an extraordinary and iconic actress, but also deeply committed to raising public awareness of a range of important social issues. She fights tirelessly for what she believes in, and her courage is an inspiration to us all.” Before her, the same honor was presented to Madonna for using her music and influence to combat prejudice and discrimination against people living with AIDS. Over the years, amfAR has honored numerous prominent figures, including Antonio Banderas, Richard Gere, Ava DuVernay, Ferzan Özpetek, Achille Boroli, Mohammed Al Turki and, most recently, Julian Schnabel.
Marc Piasecki/WireImage
Pamela Anderson had already proven herself an icon of courage when she first appeared at Paris Fashion Week without a trace of makeup, sparking a movement that questioned the unspoken expectation to wear makeup at formal events, particularly for older women. “I no longer wear makeup because I want to free myself and other mature women from the pressure and obligation to do so, although I am not waging any kind of political battle,” she told American Vogue at the time. The Baywatch star fully achieved her aim, as the no-mascara look has since become a leading trend among stars of all generations.
Jacopo Raule
From the moment she arrived at the airport on Friday, September 4, Pamela Anderson delivered a lesson in Venetian style: her almond-milk-toned ton-sur-ton look, complete with a Copenhagen street-style-inspired headscarf, set the bar high. The following day, Saturday, September 5, she attended the Miu Miu Women’s Tales event as part of the Giornate degli Autori program, where she was seen enjoying a relaxed conversation over a glass of champagne with Miuccia Prada while wearing an elegant all-black look by Miu Miu.