Kim Novak, one of Hollywood’s most enduring legends, has been honored with two of the most prestigious awards in international cinema. On September 1, 2025, she received the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement at the Venice International Film Festival, recognizing her extraordinary contribution to film, affirming her influence as both actress and artist.
(PRUnderground) September 12th, 2025
Beloved for her performances in Vertigo(1958), Picnic (1955), and Bell, Book and Candle (1958), Novak defined the mystique and magnetism of Hollywood’s golden age. In later years, she turned her creative energy to painting, producing luminous canvases—often depicting horses, wildlife, and landscapes that have been exhibited internationally and praised for their emotional resonance.
For her appearances at Venice, Novak wore gowns re-imagined by designer Kevan Hall, whose craftsmanship gave her archival pieces new life. At age 92, she wore a Kevan Hall black matte jersey gown with a hand-painted silk chiffon draped scarf top overlay. The fabric, painted by artist Ellen Forbes, brought a unique dimension to the design, merging couture craftsmanship with fine art. At Venice, the gown shimmered with liquid light as she stepped onto the red carpet to accept her Golden Lion, bridging her cinematic past with her artistic present. “It was an absolute honor to dress Kim Novak for these extraordinary milestones,” Hall said. “Every moment with her was a joy—she is an American treasure, and her legacy continues to inspire.”
Hall, a designer celebrated for his aesthetic of quiet glamour, has spent more than three decades shaping the language of American fashion. From revitalizing Halston in the 1990s to establishing his own atelier, he has dressed some of the world’s most influential women, including First Lady Michelle Obama and Charlize Theron. His Fall/Winter 2025 collection, presented aboard a Mediterranean voyage, was hailed for its balance of structure and softness. His upcoming Spring 2026 line draws on the relaxed sophistication of Sicily, a wardrobe that bridges leisure and luxury.
Beyond couture, Hall co-founded the Black Design Collective, mentoring and championing emerging Black designers while working to expand visibility and opportunity within fashion. His designs are also featured prominently in the forthcoming AGENDA Collector’s Issue #4: Age of Power, the feature article of the special edition, spotlighting creative leaders whose work transcends style to embody authority, influence, and cultural transformation.
The sight of Kim Novak accepting the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement in Venice, both in gowns re-imagined by Kevan Hall, embodied more than glamour. It was a convergence of two legacies—an actress whose artistry transformed cinema, a painter whose canvases carry her creative spirit into the present, and a designer whose vision continues to define the language of elegance and power.
About Kim Novak
Kim Novak is an American actress and painter best known for her iconic performances in Vertigo, Picnic, and Bell, Book and Candle. Honored with the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement at the Venice International Film Festival (Sept. 1, 2025) and the Icon Award at the Deauville American Film Festival (Sept. 6, 2025), Novak has also built a celebrated second career as a painter, with luminous works exhibited internationally. (https://www.kimnovakartist.com/)
About Kevan Hall
Kevan Hall is a globally acclaimed fashion designer whose career spans from revitalizing Halston in the 1990s to establishing his own atelier. Known for his aesthetic of quiet glamour, Hall has dressed First Lady Michelle Obama, Charlize Theron, and Vanessa Williams. As president and co-founder of the Black Design Collective, he is recognized for both his artistry and his mentorship of the next generation of designers.
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